The Shafer Leadership Academy Board of Directors has developed this strategic plan
for the following purposes:
• To provide a compelling and cohesive vision of the future that will serve to inspire
and activate all stakeholders of Shafer Leadership Academy;
• To clearly define our unique audiences, the programs and services we will provide
them and the manner in which we will serve them; and
• To establish the milestone goals and objectives to ensure the achievement of this
overall plan and the fulfillment of our mission.
PROJECT PURPOSE
VISSION, MISSION, VALUES
Vision Statement
Through personal leadership development, our vision is to see vibrant communities and
workplaces developed within East Central Indiana supported by skilled, collaborative and
engaged leaders.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to ensure that individuals who have the desire to demonstrate leadership have
access to world class leadership training close to home.
Values
The values of our organization are the operating philosophies or principles that guide our
organization‘s internal conduct as well as our relationships with both internal and external
stakeholders. Often referred to as the means through which we will fulfill our mission or the
principles that will guide our decision making process, our values must be embodied by every
person associated with the organization to fully realize their impact.
At Shafer Leadership Academy we value…
• The development of leaders
• The leadership potential in each individual
• The model of Servant Leadership
• An interactive learning environment
• Collaboration with others
• Continuous quality improvement
The people who were coming out of Emergence were making a big difference in the community and I knew I wanted to be one of those people.”
“
ABOUT SLA & SHAFER LEGACY
Who is Shafer Leadership Academy?
Shafer Leadership Academy provides people of all ages, backgrounds and interests access
to the tools necessary to develop and enhance their leadership skills. Our aim is to provide
contemporary leadership training that meets the needs of communities, businesses, nonprofit
organizations and private individuals.
Why do we believe effective leadership is so critical?
We believe that effective and enthusiastic leaders, more than anything else, are the difference
between success and failure within the organizations and communities they represent. Our
leadership academy and all of our programming is built upon this single idea. In short, to make
a difference, you first have to be the difference.
ABOUT SLA & SHAFER LEGACY
Why are we named Shafer Leadership Academy?
It is not often that a legacy extends as far and wide as that left by Hamer and Phyllis Shafer,
a true “dynamic duo” whose generosity has left little of Muncie or its people untouched.
Through selfless dedication to their community, Mr. and Mrs. Shafer have left an example
of genuine leadership to guide future generations as they navigate both professional and
philanthropic endeavors.
In recognition of their tremendous example, The Hamer D. and Phyllis C. Shafer Foundation
and LEAD-ECI, Inc. established an ongoing relationship between the two organizations with
the mutual goal of developing leaders for the future success of East Central Indiana. As of
February 2013, our organization officially changed our name and now operates as the Shafer
Leadership Academy in their honor.
Shafer Leadership Academy continues the work that Hamer and Phyllis Shafer began decades
ago, sharing the principles and philosophy of leadership they honed so well, so that other
community executives may find their own success.
PROGRAMMING OVERVIEW
Shafer Leadership Academy provides a unique leadership experience for 21st Century
Leaders by learning through personal experience. Each program option is created to ensure
that individuals and organizations that have a desire to develop leadership qualities have
access to leadership training close to home.
Core Programs
Shafer Leadership Academy’s Core Programs provide participants with a distinctive
understanding of how they can personally lead others and be a catalyst for change in the
communities and organizations they represent. We facilitate powerful exercises and enlightening
interactions so that participants can discover what effective leadership is for themselves. Each
course consists of participants from a wide variety of organizations, who come together to learn
from one another in addition to our professional facilitators. This highly interactive approach
creates an environment of individual leadership development.
Custom Programs
Shafer Leadership Academy’s Custom Programs provide organizations the unique ability to
create a program that fits the individual leadership development needs of its team. By utilizing
Shafer Leadership Academy’s expertise and resources, organizations can construct exactly
what they need; from a single day event to a comprehensive staff development program.
PROGRAMMING OVERVIEW
Targeted Programs
Shafer Leadership Academy’s Targeted Programs provide organizations with a unique selection
of programming to choose from. Programs can be customized with a specific goal by utilizing
any individual Targeted session. Each two-hour session provides an extremely interactive and
engaging leadership development experience that hones in on a targeted topic. To ensure a
quality leadership development experience the Program Director at Shafer Leadership Academy
works with each organization in advance to tailor the delivery and provides post-session
consultation and evaluation to maximize the learning experience.
Tailored Programs
Shafer Leadership Academy’s Tailored Programs provide organizations the option to bring
leadership development directly on site or to be hosted at a desired location in half-day and full-
day sessions. Each Tailored Program is distinct, extremely interactive, and focused on creating
a cohort of leaders within an organization. The facilitation is engaging and supports inspired
communication. To ensure a quality leadership development experience the Program Director
at Shafer Leadership Academy works with each organization in advance to tailor the delivery
and provide post-session consultation and evaluation to maximize the learning experience.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
Programming Goals
• Maintain a rigorous system of program assessment that ensures best in class leadership
programs
• Expand leadership training opportunities
• Expand the organizations roster of program facilitators to ensure we can meet the growing
need for current and future programs
Operational Goals
• Deepen the organizational strength and capacity by hiring a full-time Executive Director to
lead the organization
• Explore various regional expansion opportunities
• Establish policies that guide the organization to a state of balance between fiscal stewardship
and increased access
Financial Goals
• Develop a long-term resource development plan that incorporates a multi-level funding model
• Establish a financial reserve fund
• Evaluate the support resources required to effectively generate the financial support needed