Next Generation Initiative

Overview

The Next Generation Initiative (NGI) is designed to introduce the principles and practice of Servant Leadership to high school and campus leaders across the country.

Learning Objectives

A unique experiential learning opportunity designed to immerse students in the concept of Servant Leadership, NGI places a particular emphasis on the leadership philosophy’s characteristics and practices that can lead to creating a more just and caring society. Participants are supported as follows:

  • Becoming more familiar with the concept and practice of Servant Leadership
  • Engaging and interacting with exemplars of Servant Leadership
  • Enhancing critical thinking skills
  • Enhancing listening skills
  • Enhancing writing skills
  • Forming positive, mutually reinforcing peer relationships

Program Components

  • Interactive sessions on the principles and practices of Servant Leadership
  • Opportunities to meet inspirational leaders who have led careers and lives of service
  • Culminating group project on service
  • Certificates for completion
  • Book scholarships

Felician Sisters of North America – Seeds of Hope Retreat

The Center conducted an in-person workshop for 35 young ladies taking part in Seeds’ annual youth leadership retreat in Holly, Michigan (June 15-16, 2022). Participants were drawn from states throughout the nation, as well as Canada and Mexico.

Seton Hall University’s Upward Bound

The Greenleaf Center is partnering with Seton Hall University’s Upward Bound Program to bring the philosophy of servant leadership to high school students in a college classroom setting. The first pilot phase of this partnership recently took place from July 6 through August 6. Rising seniors from several local high schools learned about the principles and practices of servant leadership over a four-week period as participants in the campus summer college readiness program. Sessions included Servant Leader Exemplars (role models and practitioners of servant leadership) who acted as guest presenters, shared their personal journeys, and facilitated conversations about the relevance of servant leadership in today’s society. The students read and analyzed such works as The Case for Servant Leadership by Kent M. Keith and Have You a Dream Deferred? by Robert K. Greenleaf. Passing students received a certificate of completion and one college credit redeemable at Seton Hall University and other select institutions.

Congratulations Upward Bound Scholars on Completion of the Servant Leadership Course

copy-of-zharia-crawford-future-youth-development-specialist

Orange Ambassadors of Service

ops-logo

The Center has just completed a pilot program with the Orange Public Schools known as the Orange Ambassadors of Service (OAS). The program took place during April 28 – June 2, 2021 and consisted of six sessions. Every meeting entailed a discussion on the characteristics of Servant Leadership, including such examples as listening, empathy, and building community. The conversations were led by role models who were also referred to as Servant Leader Exemplars. The Exemplars touched upon ways in which the characteristics can be applied to their everyday lives. The pilot’s Exemplars included:

  • Fred Sullivan, Pastor, Bethlehem Baptist Church
  • Phyllis Bindi, Chief, East Orange Police Department
  • Dwayne D. Warren, Esq., Mayor, City of Orange Township
  • Lolita Cruz, Chief of Staff, Assemblyman Tom Giblin’s office
  • James Ham, Country Director, Peace Corps South Africa
  • Lyle Tard, Founder and CEO, IMPACT Servant Leadership

The Orange Ambassadors of Service press release is available here.

Additional program questions may be sent to: info@greenleaf.org