Another group of Indiana Farm Bureau members is now able to find their voice in new ways thanks to completing the Leaders in Action program, the 5th class to do so. Julie Klarich runs the program and tells HAT the leadership class was developed for “people that want to enhance their leadership skills within their community whether it’s through volunteer service or if they choose to go through being an elected official in their community.”
She said the program provides each of its graduates with enhanced leadership skills, “and that is culminated through different sessions. The first session talks about local government, how a person can be engaged in local government. The second course is on self-leadership. The participants go through and write their mission statements. They discover what their core values are and they reflect on their leadership journey up to this point, and then the third session is all on communication, getting your point across in a quick and concise manner. The fourth session is about learning about the operations of Indiana Farm Bureau. They meet with all the team directors and then we culminate with our Washington DC trip in September.”
Klarich agreed Leaders in Action is really about helping members find their voice and be comfortable using it.
“We have had people come in fearful of speaking in front of people and at the very end of the class they give a two-minute presentation. Pretty much the biggest impact on people is their comfort level and speaking in front of people, and just feeling more positive about what their future endeavors are going to be as well.”
“Personal development programs like Leaders in Action help our members find their voice,” said Randy Kron, Indiana Farm Bureau president. “We look forward to seeing these leaders continue to grow in Farm Bureau.”
Nineteen members completed the program this year. Participants included Lyle Bulkhalter, Clinton County; Auna Badke, Elkhart County; Brian Richter, Fulton County; Stephen Williams, Fulton County; Barbara Pittsford, Henry County; Nichole Spencer, Huntington County; Christa Malone, Jasper County; John and Amanda Canary, Johnson County; Alan Mast, Kosciusko County; Ethan Hunter, Lawrence County; Kelly Shannon, Montgomery County; Janelle Burnworth, Noble County; Joe and Christine Blackford, Porter County; Pam Kline, Steuben County; Crystal Van Pelt, Steuben County; Vickie Althoff, Switzerland County; and Neil Moseley, Tippecanoe County.
There is an application process if you would like to be considered for the 2017 class which opens in the middle of October. Details are online, and details on how to Find Your Voice through Farm Bureau membership can be found at www.infb.org/findyourvoice.
Hear more from Julie Klarich:julie-klarich-on-leaders-in-action