“It’s a pleasure to meet both those of you who are involved in the Polish-American Freedom Foundation’s programs and who acquired “leader’s spurs” in such programs as “Equal Opportunities”, “Act Locally” and other Foundation’s undertakings as well as those who are involved in various social initiatives. I hope that by joining us you will find new opportunities of development, since PAFF first of all creates opportunities for those who know how to use such opportunities well,” said Radosław Jasiński, PAFF Program Director in his welcome address.
Also Katarzyna Czayka-Chełmińska, Vice President of the School for Leaders Association which manages the Program congratulated the new leaders, emphasizing that this was a very special moment for three reasons: it is the 25th anniversary of regaining independence by Poland; 20th anniversary of the School for Leaders Foundation which for two decades has been developing, supporting, enhancing and inspiring leaders; and 10th jubilee round of the “PAFF Leaders” Program.
The objective of the “PAFF Leaders” Program is to support the development of qualifications and skills of individuals working for the benefit of their communities. This is achieved mainly through the use of the innovative tutorial method which involves the constant cooperation of a local leader with an experienced tutor. The Program is addressed to active participants of local projects financed by various programs of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation. In the 10th round 36 leaders were accepted and they will be tutored by 14 tutors. In the previous nine rounds of the Program, a total of 467 local leaders had an opportunity to develop their qualifications and more than 50 experts have been trained in the tutoring method.
Under the theme “There are many faces of leadership” there was a meeting with guests: Prof. Zbigniew Pełczyński, founder of the School for Leaders Association, who in his address referred to the United Kingdom, the birthplace of leadership movement, and reminded the etymology of the term “leader”; Joanna Erbel , sociologist and city movement activist, who told about people that had influenced her on her road to leadership and getting involved in city activism; and Jacek Jakubowski, co-owner and supervisor of the TROP group, who referred to his personal experience of introducing values to organization through leadership focused on launching the processes of learning rather than allocating tasks.
Next the leaders participated in the integration meetings of tutorial groups during which they discussed in detail activities planned within the program.
