MidWest Leadership School
July 15 – 21, 2012

Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations

MidWest Leadership School (MWLS), a part of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s nationwide network of leadership schools, will be held July 15 – 21, 2012 (Sunday thru Saturday), on the campus of Beloit College in southeastern Wisconsin. MidWest Leadership School is sponsored by the Central MidWest District, in collaboration with Heartland District and Prairie Star District of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations.

MidWest Leadership School (MWLS) develops lay leaders in the Unitarian Universalist (UU) community. The week-long intense program includes leadership, group and system dynamics, UU history and theology, and elements of worship. The program is designed to provide insights, confidence, and enrichment for each participant’s congregation, work, and personal life.

Led by lay and ordained staff with a deep understanding of UU congregations, a combination of lectures and small group encounters heightens understanding and the ability of lay leaders to navigate group process. Key 2012 faculty will include: Rev. Matthew Johnson-Doyle, minister at Rockford Unitarian Universalist Church, lecturing on Theology and UU History; Nancy Heege, Prairie Start District Executive, and Rev. Ian Evison, Central MidWest Congregational Services Director, coordinating leadership and group dynamics curricula; and Rev. Lisa Presley, Heartland District Executive, serving as school chaplain.

Registration is open to applicants age 18 and older, from member congregations in the three sponsoring districts (Central MidWest, Heartland, and Prairie Star) and to seminary students not yet in candidate status. Registrations are processed based on the date received. Space is limited to 44 participants. Congregations are encouraged to send teams. There is a Tuition fee of $495 for each student. Additionally, the Congregation Fee is $550 for a Congregation sending one person, $600 if sending two persons, or $650 if sending three or four persons. The deadline for registration has been extended. Final payment of all fees is due June 1. Scholarship applications must be postmarked by May 15 to qualify. ( icon MWLS Scholarship App (108 kB), icon MWLS Scholarship App - Congregation (109.83 kB))

Register online. Or download and mail the icon MWLS 2012 Brochure (80.04 kB). For additional information, contact Jeffrey Reed, MWLS Registrar, 984 Buttermilk Creek Drive, Fond du Lac, WI 54935. (920) 926-1664. E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Or Paul Goddard - Chair, MWLS Faculty, (815) 965-3995 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

YOUTH 14-18 should register online at www.regonline.com/YLS2012.

Way more than leadership!

Experience a whole new level of Unitarian Universalism
at the beautiful campus of Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin

Plan to join us July 15-21, 2012!

MidWest Leadership School is a program of the Central Midwest District of the UUA in collaboration with the Prairie Star and Heartland Districts.

MidWest Leadership School (held concurrently with MidWest Youth Leadership School) – is a part of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s nationwide network of leadership schools. Complementing other district offerings, this school offers a week-long intensive program in which leadership and group dynamics can be developed and reflected upon. Led by lay and ordained staff with a deep understanding of UU congregations, a combination of lectures and small group encounters heightens understanding and the ability to navigate group process. By immersing the student in a milieu both supportive and challenging, the MWLS experience provides leadership tools and skills, develops the student as a leader, and deepens the student’s Unitarian Universalist identity and understanding, all designed to prepare students for leadership in UU congregations and beyond.

Check here in the early Spring of 2012 for DETAILS AND REGISTRATION!

Who Is It For?

Adult Leadership

UU adult leadership schools exist to continue the tradition of fostering effective lay leadership in the UU community for people ages 18 and older.

Are you currently—or soon to be—in an active leadership role on the local or district level? Could you benefit from knowing more about how groups work, grow, and develop? Do you want to know more about consensus building or conflict management, healthy congregational growth, addressing social justice issues, or working with volunteers? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then MWLS is for you!

Registration is open to applicants from member congregations in the three sponsoring Districts (Central MidWest, Heartland, and Prairie Star) and to seminary students not yet in candidate status.

Youth Leadership

An opportunity for high school age youth to have a similar intensive leadership development experience is available through Youth MWLS operated at the same time as MWLS at Beloit College. Some activities, such as multigenerational worship experiences, are shared between the schools. For more information, see the YOUTH MWLS pages.

When

July 15-21, 2012 (Sunday–Saturday)

Plan to arrive between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m., Sunday, for check-in and campus tours. (No early check-ins)
Except in extraordinary circumstances, late arrivals will not be admitted to school.
Re-convene at 5:00 Sunday for dinner, orientation, and worship.
Meals and activities are scheduled from 7 am to 9 pm daily, with breaks available between classes and activities.
Depart at noon on Saturday.

Where

Beloit College Campus
Beloit, Wisconsin

MidWest Leadership School is held on the beautiful campus of Beloit College in southern Wisconsin. The turtle, which is the symbol for Beloit College, is also the symbol for MWLS. There are several sacred burial mounds on the campus. For many native American cultures, the turtle symbolizes the planet Earth and a combination of strength, persistence, and the need to stick your neck out to get somewhere!

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MIDWEST LEADERSHIP SCHOOL

MidWest Leadership SchoolJuly 15 – 21, 2012