Leadership Series:

Promoting essential principles for leadership in a changing world

Leading the Kansas City region to a green future

The business, nonprofit and government leaders of the Kansas City region help our communities to thrive. They create the places we want to be. But, are they designing the kinds of places we might want to be 10, 50 or 100 years from now? The only way to ensure that our region remains the destination it is — and continues to become more fully each day — is to consider how to make our communities sustainable.

The Academy for Sustainable Communities invites you, as a leader of the Kansas City region, to become an integral partner in the development of sustainable communities and participate in the academy’s 2008 Leadership Series. Attendees will get the opportunity to meet in an intimate, small-group setting with some of the nation’s most renowned sustainability experts. This year-long experience will enable you to formulate how you can best contribute to the improvement of the region’s environment.

Series Purpose:

To provide a meaningful experience to learn about innovative thinking on sustainability and to inspire participants to take actions that improve the health, vitality and quality of life of the Greater Kansas City community.

Participants will attend breakfast discussion sessions from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. with speakers at the downtown Kansas City Public Library, Helzberg Auditorium.

Small group meetings will be followed by a luncheon lecture open to the general public, held at local area hotels.

Leadership Series members will engage in a continuous, web-based dialogue and book discussion throughout the program.

Expected Outcomes:

As a result of this training, emerging leaders will be inspired to make more sustainable decisions; build more effective, collaborative partnerships; and link local actions to ever more powerful national and regional trends in sustainability. Ultimately, this program hopes to cultivate sustainable decision making in the Kansas City region.

Who Should Participate:

This program is offered to experienced and emerging leaders from private, public and nonprofit sectors who share an interest in and passion for making our region a model of excellence, quality and livability.

Sessions:

Sustainable Vision

*Feb. 20, 2008, 7:30–10 a.m.

Instructor: Bob Berkebile, Principal, BNIM Architects

This session will introduce the principles, concepts and ethics of sustainability. Initial discussions will introduce the program structure and clarify individual expectations. The facilitated discussion will seek to provide a basis for creating stronger visions of environmental excellence.

* The date of this session has changed due to the fact that Mr. Berkebile has been asked to participate in a national green initiative with the U.S. Congress during the week of Jan. 28.

Sustainable Trends

April 30, 2008, 7:30–10 a.m.

Instructor: Jim Hartzfeld, Managing Director, InterfaceRaise

Participants will focus on innovations and best practices in corporate America that reflect the renewed commitment to corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship. Discussion will explore climate-neutral design, collaborative decision-making, the use of environmental metrics to guide corporate accounting and governance, and cradle-to-cradle thinking.

Sustainable Design

July 30, 2008, 7:30–10 a.m.

Instructor: Gerould Wilhelm, principal-in-charge of the environmental group of the Conservation Design Forum

Discussion will promote the art of design with a focus on the built environment. Attendees will explore reframing design processes to include more integrative, restorative and collaborative practices consistent with nature and the community context. Ultimately, the goal is to produce places, products and services in ways that add energy, vitality and health to both local communities and ecosystems.

Sustainable Neighborhoods

Oct. 29, 2008, 7:30–10 a.m.

Instructor: Doug Farr, Principal, Farr & Associates

This session will focus on community development strategies that bridge new urbanist, smart growth and green building philosophies. The presentation will draw from a recent national design processes in which urban and suburban neighborhoods from throughout the country competed to implement new standards that define superior development practices.

Sustainable Solutions

Dec. 10, 2008, 7:30–10 a.m.

Instructors: Bob Mann, Co-director, Shadowcliff Lodge/Bob Berkebile, Principal, BNIM Architects

The final session will focus on how new sustainability concepts may be implemented and applied across the region. The discussion will review issues from design, planning, finance and institutional development, with a focus on the actions needed to take the next steps at individual, organizational and social levels.

Book Discussion:

Participants will have an opportunity to read a selection of books during the series.

Location:

Kansas City Public Library (map)
14 West 10th Street
Kansas City, Mo. 64105

Fee:

The fee includes all five leadership series sessions plus admittance to four luncheon events that follow the leadership series featuring our speakers.

Partial scholarship funds are available. Please contact Georgia Nesselrode for more information.

Application Options:

A $500 per person deposit must accompany the completed application. Applicants not selected to participate will be given a full refund. Registration and deposit must be submitted by February 12, 2008.

Statement of Interest:

Please e-mail or fax a sheet that provides a short description of your interest in participating in this leadership initiative and the level of commitment you are willing to give to improve the health, vitality and quality of life of the Greater Kansas City community. (approximately 100 words)

 

AIA logoEach of the five Leadership Series sessions will be worth 2.5 AIA HSW (American Institute of Architects) credits.