Educating to lead: Soroptimist Leadership Academy (FYR Macedonia)

 

28 young women took part in a Soroptimist
Leadership Academy at Lake Ohrid in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in July this year. A joint project of SI Struga (FYROM) and the SI Turkish Union, this was a 10 day experience to help participants discover their
leadership potential.  Soroptimist International President Elect Yvonne Simpson attended the event and reports on it for this week’s SoroptiVoice blog. 

In July this year SI
Struga (FYR Macedonia), a young club, and the Soroptimist Turkish Union of 40
clubs conducted a very successful Twinning Project: The Soroptimist Leadership
Academy held for 10 days at Lake Ohrid.

The academy was the brain
child of Katerina Vasileska, charter president of SI Struga. Her vision became
a reality because she could draw on the enthusiasm and commitment of similarly-minded
Soroptimists who were willing to trust her vision and offer their expertise.
The Struga club members got very involved. The support from the Turkish Union
provided a guaranteed 15 participants which assured the fledgling club that the
project would proceed. The key elements of vision, passion, and support all
came together. A team effort.

Preparation started
during the SI Europe’s 20th Congress held in July 2013 in Berlin.

They achieved their first
academy in one year! This is a remarkable achievement and one to celebrate and
inspire other clubs to support or create their own version.

I was privileged to
participate and contribute. The pleasure for me personally came from working
with dedicated and passionate Soroptimists who want to make a difference to the
young women in their country and empower them to be leaders.  The transfer of knowledge from experienced
women to young women embarking on their independent lives was a key factor.

I enjoyed meeting
Soroptimists from other countries who were willing to step out in trust and am
privileged to have made really good friendships. We shared our vision, drew
inspiration from each other and are keen to support the Leadership Academy for
its future development.

The
project enthused current Soroptimists and welcomed future Soroptimists – this
project reflected:

Soroptimists
Educate to Lead
  and Soroptimists
Educate Soroptimists to Lead.

     

    The special features of the Academy included:

    Location
    and Timing

      • Lake
        Ohrid is a UNESCO site, a beautiful location of lake shore and  historic city.
      • Accommodation
        and Venue: The participants stayed in a modest and clean hotel, which was
        also the venue for the workshops. It was a safe location close to the
        town centre.
      • The
        Lake Ohrid Summer festival was on at the same time and it was delightful
        to have the occasional cultural procession pass by the hotel. We also
        attended a show of national dancing and had a guided tour of the
        historical city.
      • The
        academy was held in the summer break (July 15 – 25). The timing enabled university
        student participants and volunteer Soroptimist presenters to attend. The
        warm weather meant that some activities could be held outside. The Yoga
        was held on the wharf jutting out into the lake.
      • The
        location, and cheap flights, enabled a diversity of countries to be
        represented.

        Participants

          • 28
            young women aged 18 – 24 attended and represented Turkey, FYRO Macedonia,
            Lithuania, Denmark and Germany. The international flavor enriched the
            course.
          • The
            caliber of participants. They were willing to try new activities, to
            explore new ideas and share their thoughts. They were a pleasure to work
            with and we all gained from the experience. The young women were sponsored
            by clubs and unions and will return home to work more closely with their
            sponsoring club.

            Soroptimist
            involvement. This is truly a Soroptimist project organized by
            Soroptimists.

              • Volunteer
                Soroptimists from Portugal, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand, Turkey, Macedonia
                and the Netherlands, provided workshops. Some were sponsored or part
                sponsored by their clubs or unions; others were self funded.
              • Soroptimists
                (from Italy and Kosovo) were in attendance to observe and to determine their
                future involvement.
              • The
                Turkish Union President (Mine Kavala) and Vice President (Sevil Koca)
                attended to support the Struga club, to share the event on Facebook, and
                to report back to the Turkish Union.
              • Sponsorship
                of attendees. Participants will be reporting back to their sponsoring
                clubs and assist them with projects. They were grateful for the
                opportunity and there was interest to join or form a club where there was
                currently none.

                Programme

                  • Ten
                    days of learning and building a network of future leaders.
                  • The
                    holistic programme covered a balance of mind, body, soul and heart. Eg
                  1. Each day started with Yoga or Pilates. There were workshops on breathing, posture,
                    stress management, the voice, musicality and physical wellbeing.
                  2. Mind:
                    There were workshops on Goal setting, listening, taking the courage to step
                    out, leadership as a journey, human rights, business ethics, collegiality and
                    culture, giving a presentation, negotiation skills, team management,
                    assertiveness, language, change management, project management….and more
                  3.  Heart
                    – emotional connections were made, and shifts in self awareness and
                    appreciation were made. Participants looked at their personal  strengths.
                  4. Soul
                    – the spiritual dimension was explored.
                  • Interactive
                    workshops were 90 minutes each
                  • Personal
                    stories. At the end of each day three presenters each day shared their
                    personal journeys.
                  • Cost:
                    A modest fee of Euro500 per participant contributed towards accommodation,
                    food and academy costs.

                    Resources

                      • Each
                        participant was given a substantial and high quality leadership diary
                        which
                          • Explained
                            how the academy came about and its purpose
                          • Held
                            all their notes under “Body”, “Brain”, “Heart” and “Soul”Shared
                            short biographies of the key people – The Turkish Union leaders, SI Struga
                            leaders, the Programme Co-ordinator, and the presenters.
                          •  Provided
                            the photos, names and contact details of the participants
                          • And
                            Letters to my younger self written by 4 presenters

                      In all – a magical and
                      humbling experience.

                      Those who attended want
                      to support the continuation of the concept… Don’t just watch this space… Be in
                      touch to see what support you, your club or union can provide for the 2015
                      Academy.  Play an active role and Educate to Lead.

                       

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