You are invited to invest in yourself and your congregation by engaging in one inspiring and intensive week this summer at the Russell Lockwood Leadership School (RLLS).
Formerly offered only to congregations of the UUA Mountain Desert District, this exceptional resource now belongs to the entire Pacific Western Region. The PNWD is excited to be the first host of RLLS as it begins to move through our four western districts. RLLS will be held August 10-16, 2014, at Menucha Conference Center in Corbett, OR, about a half-hour from Portland.
Mark Neiwirth (right) is Administrative Dean for RLLS, and president of the Pocatello UU Fellowship in Idaho. His congregation sent him to the leadership school three years ago. “Here’s a great opportunity for anyone in your congregation who is currently in a leadership position, or who has the potential to become a leader, OR who just wants to know more about being a Unitarian Universalist,” Mark reports. “It’s an intense experience, with days filled with concentrated learning, working in small groups, and bonding with new UU friends from all over the region.”
He describes his own experience as spiritually transformational, and credits the school with giving him the tools he needed for confident and effective service on his congregation’s board.
Janine Larsen (right), District Executive for the UUA in the Pacific Northwest, was introduced to RLLS last summer. “I was extremely impressed with the content and quality of instruction. I learned a lot myself,
and I had a great time!” she says. After interviewing attendees whose congregations have sent their lay leaders and religious professionals to RLLS for years, and hearing from Mountain Desert District staff that the Leadership school has made a significant difference in the dynamic growth of regularly participating congregations, Janine is excited that more congregations will have the opportunity to attend.
As Academic Dean for RLLS, she has recruited a skilled and dynamic faculty and staff from all four districts of the Pacific Western Region. “Classroom time will emphasize multi-media, and a variety of small group activities will provide plenty of discussion and experiential time. We’ll cover a wide range of topics: Covenant and Beloved Community, UU Theology, Worship and Ritual, Adaptive Leadership, building religious community through social media and technology. The Rev. Jon Luopa (University Unitarian Church, Seattle) is bringing a special focus on Emotional Intelligence and Primal Leadership. We’ll start and end each day creating meaningful worship together, and we’ll be inspired and energized with Music and Movement throughout.”
Mark points out that while the days will be full, there will be some time for hiking and enjoying breathtaking views of the Columbia River Gorge, walking Menucha’s Rose Garden Labyrinth or swimming in the pool. Meals are healthful and delicious (you can even purchase Menucha’s popular recipes). Rooms are shared, and that’s part of the experience, too.
Per person tuition for the week is $900 per person, which includes program, lodging, meals, and all materials. Attendees must be endorsed by their congregations. Additionally, each congregation sending leaders must contribute a Congregational Fee of $350 (this is a flat fee, not per person).
Registration for RLLS is open now – please review the RLLS information on the Pacific Western Region website, and enroll on-line by June 1.
JOIN US IN OREGON AT RLLS, AUGUST 10-16, 2014, FOR AN EMPOWERING, MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE!
Click here for a printable tri-fold RLLS Brochure, or for a one-page RLLS Flyer, suitable for posting.
For more information, contact:
Mark Neiwirth, Administrative Dean
(208) 251-8051
neiwmark@isu.edu