Twice as many ROC Leaders gathered to train, share and network than ever before
HOOKSETT, N.H. – Nearly 100 leaders left inspired and energized to further the positive work they’ve been doing in their communities after the inaugural ROC Leadership Institute.
The three-day event was filled with workshops, learning labs and keynote speakers, all focused on helping those in attendance enhance their skills and gain new ones to benefit their communities.
“I hope you will be walking away with the ROC Leadership Institute with the sense that we have great potential,” ROC USA® President Paul Bradley said to the group during the closing ceremony.
Workshops and labs covered topics like effective communication, business basics, building your community brand, infill strategies, emotional intelligence and conflict resolution, visiting a local ROC and facilitating group decision making.
The World Cafe on Saturday served as a way for attendees to reflect on what they learned and figure out ways to bring these new and strengthened skills home to their communities. ROC Leaders collaborated in groups and then posted their goals for their region.
Many wrote in their final evaluations that the event was a huge success.
“This was my first event,” one woman wrote. “I enjoyed all the knowledge I gained and will bring it back to my ROC.”
Another participant agreed.
“The training and workshops were excellent and will be useful to facilitate the info to have our community run more smoothly. I was impressed with the enthusiasm of the trainers and other ROC members.”
Keynote speakers Julie Eades, president of the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund, and Andrea Levere, president of Prosperity Now and Chair of the ROC USA Board of Directors, talked about the history and future of resident ownership. On Saturday, Howard Brodsky, co-CEO of CCA Global Partners, talked about the benefits of cooperative models and how resident-ownership fits within that frame.
Each speech was broadcast live online, as well as the opening plenary on Friday. Find links to the recorded videos here.
The ROC Leadership Institute is modeled after NeighborWorks® America Community Leadership Institute. This national training event aims to strengthen the voices and skills of volunteer leaders from resident-owned communities. Participants attend with other members from their ROCs and other ROC leaders from across the country.
For years, ROC leaders who attended CLI raved about the experience. They loved the connections made with peers, with technical assistance providers and with ROC USA staff. While they valued the sessions with non-ROC leaders, overwhelmingly their feedback asked us for more time with their peers. That’s why ROC USA launched the ROC Leadership Institute, geared exclusively for ROC leaders.
“I felt it was a more positive having this event with ROCs only,” one participant wrote on the final evaluation. “Thank you for doing this for us.”
Learning extended beyond the classroom as well. After all the events were finished for the day, many ROC Leaders sat in the common room of Tuckerman Hall getting to know one another, something many said was an invaluable part of the experience.
