Dear Leader,
You have either been nominated or expressed an interest in participating in the GR Initiative for Leaders (GRIL). I would like to share with you information about this initiative and invite you to be considered for participation by completing an application to be returned to the above address.
Why should you be involved? GRIL is one of the best opportunities I know of that invests in emerging urban leaders, addressing their whole person, from their work to community to personal life. We believe that you are a key asset within the community. GRIL is a serious attempt to be a blessing to leaders like you. From that kind of base, I hope that participants will be able to help the youth and families they lead make better, long term, life changing decisions for themselves. I also hope that our churches and organizations will become more fruitful places for youth and families to connect with as they work out their life changing decisions. That hope and excitement is why I am involved. Once a participant graduates, they have the opportunity to continue learning and networking with other graduates in the city. GRIL also has other adult trainings for community leaders and two teen components called GRIL U (faith based) and Ambassador Club (schools), which raises up teen leaders in sites who are led by a GRIL or DVULI graduate.
How will participants develop these values, skills and plans? Development largely will occur through a mix of networking among participants and GRIL trainers, mentors, educational offerings and the identification and implementation of plans for the future.
What’s the time commitment for GRIL participants? GRIL is an intense program spanning over 10 months. The attached dates are mandatory. Each participant is also assigned a mentor who is a GRIL or DVULI graduate and is asked to meet with them each month. You will want to make sure you can commit to these trainings. Participants should plan on investing 10-15 hours each month on trainings, pre-assignments and mentor meetings. Again, participation requires full attendance at these events.
Are there costs to participants/ministries? Yes, if accepted, each participant will pay a $1000 participation fee. A scholarship of up to $550 is available for qualified individuals and organizations.
So what are my next steps? If you want to apply to be a GRIL participant, please pray, talk with your supervisor and then complete the enclosed application and return it to me at the address on this letterhead. Upon receipt of your application, you will be contacted for a short ‘interview’ or time to get to know each other. A group of twelve participants will be chosen for the program – all applications and interviews must be completed by August 15, 2015.
GR Initiative for Leaders (GRIL)
Application for Participation in the Adult Leadership Program
Name ___________________________________________
Home Address _________________________________________________
Organization _______________________
Address _________________________
City/State _________________________ Zip Code ________________________
Telephone: Organization _____________
Home Phone _____________________
Cell Phone ______________________
E-mail __________________________
Position Title ______________________
Number of Years in Position _________
Who is your supervisor at the church, ministry, organization or company of which you are participating through?
Name ___________________________
Day Time Phone __________________
Other Phone ______________________
Relationship _____________________
Please list two references:
- pastor
- personal
Name ___________________________
Day Time Phone __________________
Email Address ____________________
Relationship _____________________
Name ___________________________
Day Time Phone __________________
Email Address ____________________
Relationship _____________________
As you consider your participation in the GRIL, please be mindful of our funding request. In order for us to provide individuals with this opportunity, we are asking for a non-refundable $1000 tuition fee. A scholarship of up to $550 is available for qualified individuals and organizations. This fee provides for the food, trainers, training facilities, and other necessary materials for the program experience, and is to be paid before the first training. I hereby give permission for myself to be photographed/video-taped for the possibility of being used in GRIL’s publicity, and I give exclusive right to these photos/videos to GRIL and waive all claims for compensation for usage.
Applicant Signature ___________________________________ Date ___________
Please answer the following questions in essay format on a separate sheet of paper.
- Describe the mission and purpose of your organization that you work with. You may include any publications that help to answer this question and such things as age, gender, location, needs, etc. of the individuals served.
- What are your specific responsibilities in your organization (you may include a formal job description).
- Describe how you help youth to make significant life changes.
- How will your participation benefit you and your work with youth?
- What challenges will you have to overcome in order to participate and in order to implement your learning into your organization?
- How do you integrate your faith into your daily work?
- Describe your relationship with your supervisor/board.
- Attendance is mandatory. Can you commit to the dates on the Program Training sheet?
- Financial Assistance: If you are requesting financial assistance, please explain the reason for your request.
GRIL Adult Leadership Program Training
All trainings will take place at our office (1167 Madison SE) from 9am-5pm unless otherwise noted.
September 18 and October 16: Go through the following in dealing with Personal and Organizational Assessments: DiSC Personal Profile, Situational Leadership II by Ken Blanchard, Mission Statement Development/Revision, Ministry/Organization Assessment, Communication: Debate to Dialogue, Ladder of Inference and Journaling.
November 6: Community Capacity Building Workshop: Learn to see the assets that are in the community and structuring your ministry based on the assets that the people you serve already have in place. Instead of seeing the problems and trying to address the problems, you see the strengths and work with them.
December 11: The Core Values Workshop: Learn about the following Core Values:
Balance: Developing a healthy lifestyle that addresses time spent for personal, ministry and organizational needs.
Accountability: Seeking guidance from trusted sources to integrate faith and work in meaningful ways.
Interdependence: Working to establish a shared vision to achieve common goals.
Leverage: Using minimum effort to achieve maximum gain
Empowerment: Encouraging people to discover and use their gifts.
January 22: Systems Thinking Workshop: Learn to see how the whole affects the part and the part affects the whole.
February 12: Scenario Planning Workshop: Learn to create different scenarios for the future where you learn to think with the different end possibilities in mind.
March 18: Diversity Learn about systemic and individual racism and its impact on our world. Learn about leading in a global world.
April 15: Resource Networking Workshop: Learn to understand that resources are more than just dollars. Learn to discover and access community resources that will help you to fulfill your personal and ministry resource requirements. Learn how to present your ministry and collective plans to ministry partners and collaborators. Finally, learn to develop networks where you can acquire the things you need from the places around you that can help you to meet your needs.
May 13: Breakthrough Plan Presentations. At the end of the program, each participant will complete a Breakthrough Plan to be presented to the group.
Cost: $1,000.
Graduation: TBD