Curriculum
Format
The Academy starts with an intense five-day training session in Chapel Hill starting in July, devoted to the basics of managing people, money, data, and partnerships. For 2007, sessions are scheduled to run the week of July 23 for the first cohort and July 30 for the second cohort (see schedule for details).
The
most important concept that we learned from this activity is
the concept of teamwork. That sounds very simple, but in the
days of cut backs and not filling vacancies, fewer and fewer
resources with which to work, that's critical...It
makes you feel like you can tackle whatever. 'Okay bring
it on, just bring it on! We can handle this.' That
confidence now generates enthusiasm with other people.
Joanne Carter, Nurse Supervisor, SC-DHEC
At the end of this on-site training, Academy members begin the distance learning phase of the Academy: they take courses via the world-wide web and work on their business plans with the support of a business plan coach.
Academy members meet for a three-day on-site conference in the fall, developing additional skills and sharing their business plan feasibility studies with peers and coaches.
During the fall session, individuals will get feedback on their personal management skills (from a "360" multi-rater survey) and write individual development goals; teams will begin learning about business planning and working on their business plans; and each team will meet with their business plan advisor.
The Academy concludes in April with more teaching sessions, team presentations of business plans, and announcement of business award winners.