The Massachusetts Bar Association is currently accepting
nominations and applications for entry into the inaugural MBA
Leadership Academy, a 12-month program designed to develop future
bar and civic leaders, which will run concurrently with the MBA
membership year, starting in September.
MBA President-elect Jeffrey N. Catalano and Vice President
Christopher A. Kenney -- the Leadership Academy co-chairs -- have
put together answers to some frequently asked questions to shed
some more light on what the Leadership Academy is, and what it
means for participants.
LEADERSHIP ACADEMY FAQs
Q. Who may apply to the Leadership Academy?
The Leadership is for active MBA members in good standing who
have been practicing between three and 10 years.
Q. What is required for a completed
application?
- A written nomination by an MBA member other than the
applicant
- Two letters of recommendation supporting the candidate's
professional and personal qualifications, MBA experience and
commitment, and potential for future leadership at the bar
- A completed application
- A resume
Q. What is the deadline?
All materials must be submitted by Aug, 1, 2016.
Q. Is there any cost to participate?
No, there is no fee associated with the Leadership Academy.
Q. What is the purpose of the Leadership
Academy?
The purpose of the Leadership Academy is to develop and nurture
future leaders within the MBA who will continue to give back to the
bar and the greater community. The Leadership Academy will help
participants understand how to lead from many perspectives,
including how to lead from behind, and how to be compassionate,
open-minded and thoughtful leaders.
We wish to increase the number of these kinds of leaders in
private, non-profit and governmental organizations, and at the
local, state and national levels of government. At the same time,
we are seeking to grow and encourage more diversity within bar
leadership. Now more than ever we believe the bar needs lawyers
from a variety of backgrounds with integrity, character and
compassion, who share the desire to be leaders at their firms and
in their communities, give back to the profession and the world
around them, build coalitions, and inspire others to act.
Q. What type of candidates are you looking
for?
Ideally we're looking for lawyers who have a passion for
leadership who have already, in some way, demonstrated leadership
or taken on responsibilities through volunteer work at bar
associations or in the community. We are seeking lawyers who have
aspirations of leadership not only at the bar and in their firms,
but also people who want to be engaged civically. The Leadership
Academy is ideally suited for individuals who really want to give
back to society in important ways, such as becoming members of a
board of directors or creating new pro bono programs.
Q. What will I get out of the Leadership
Academy?
The Leadership Academy will teach important skills and cultivate
traits that today's leaders need. For example, it will include a
focus on practical skills, such as public speaking, media
relations, how to motivate other people and how to run a meeting.
But it will also involve elements on the philosophy of leadership,
such as how to be a thoughtful leader who listens well and builds
bridges and coalitions. The Academy will employ a mix of individual
and team learning to encourage collaborative leadership.
After successful completion of the academy's curriculum of
educational programming, class projects and mentoring, MBA
Leadership Academy graduates will be better prepared to assume
leadership roles at the bar, in their firms or organizations, and
in government.
Q. What is the expected time commitment?
There will likely be five to six meetings over the course of a
year with additional reading materials to review and get familiar
with in between. The Leadership Academy offers an amazing
opportunity and there will be a certain expectation that Leadership
Academy members budget their time and dedicate themselves to the
process to make it a worthwhile program. However, we do not expect
the time commitment to infringe upon anyone's ability to do their
job.
Q. How will I know if I am selected?
A member of the Leadership Academy Steering Committee will
contact all applicants with their decision at the beginning of the
MBA's 2016-17 year in September.