Shermy=Share with Me 六寶媽日誌

LEAD，一個培養年輕在地領導者的養成計畫，在我所在的小鎮Geraldton已進行好幾年了。年齡限制是18~35歲，每年從三月到十月舉辦一個月一次、從早上八點半到傍晚五點的集訓課程，並規定在集訓期間或是結業後，必須辦一場社區服務相關活動回饋給社會。

負責舉辦LEAD領導者計畫的機構Ngala，也正是我在Playgroup當音樂志工的所屬機構。早在去年初我就在臉書看到相關訊息，但不知怎地就錯過了，當時非常扼腕！因為我本人可是年紀不小了，正好是35歲！去年那批十月結業後，十二月網站又有LEAD的相關消息，我馬上寫信給主辦人，並告知明年我將會是36歲，不知是否還有資格參與？結果我運氣真的很好，對方同意了！

今年二月開始著手申請流程，得知了LEAD的費用是$1460澳幣，若你是由公司所派出參與的，其中$950由你所屬的公司支付，身為員工的你只需要支付$510就可以了。

這筆費用對於沒有工作、在家當全職母親的我而言實在很驚人，但是我決心要參與，為了我未來的規劃(我就是想學習領導技巧好發揮在社會服務上)，投資未來的自己，這筆錢真的不算什麼。在告知老公，除了要繳交一筆鉅額，每個月還必須有一天我得找人看顧孩子，讓我能去上「全天班」。畢竟這年真的是我的最後一次機會，錯過就沒了。

結果猜怎麼了？在遞交申請表後還必須面試，在面試中，對方告訴我，這筆費用他們有幫我找到一個非營利機構全額贊助，也就是說，我完全不用支付任何一筆費用！當下聽到我感動到眼淚都掉下來了…由於我的自介有告訴對方自己平常就有在畫善心石並捐贈給各個機構，以及在Ngala當音樂志工滿一年的服務經驗，老天就這樣幫了我一把…真的超級感動的！！！我絕對不會辜負你們的！！！

LEAD除了要繳交一份自介和個人照以外，個人申請表上還有幾個問題：

1. 你為什麼要參加LEAD？
2. 你希望從這個計畫中學到什麼？
3. 在你完成了LEAD領導者計畫後，你所屬的機構或社區能如何從中獲益？

另外還有一份要給雇主填寫的資料和提問：

1. 你希望你的員工從這個計畫中學到什麼？
2. 你如何看待員工在你所屬機構中，對社區領導角色中的進步？

沒有雇主的我，把上面這兩個問題丟給了我老公，請他幫我回答(當然我有先問過LEAD主辦人這樣是否可行啦！)以下把我在申請表上所填的原始資料放上來，好做紀錄，也提醒自己莫忘初衷。

Why do you want to participate in LEAD?

Being a stay-home mum for nearly 8yrs, I like to take up some roles to benefit the community. As an artist I always have creative ideas to bring the community together, but when come to action, I feel like lacking enough knowledge to approach my goals. Join LEAD will give me the push I need and help me fulfil my dream of contribution.  

What do you expect to personally gain from this program?

I expect to learn some leadership skill of how to organize an event, better communicate with people, and gain the knowledge of step by step approach to the goals.    

How will your organisation and our community benefit from your successful completion of LEAD?

I like to bring people together through art and music and I am already brewing ideas of doing community art and set up “The kindness Rocks Garden” in organisations. There will be art events happening for all age and the creation the whole community made will also bring beauty in this town. As a busy mum of 4 young kids (soon to be 5), I like to setup a good model for others that you can still chase your dream no matter what roles you’re playing in life.    

Please write a brief, one paragraph description of your background and history to be used in our LEAD introductory documentation- eg: for facilitators, speakers and fellow participants.

A stay-home mum/rock painting artist who’s interested in community service and have been spreading the kindness rocks in town, doing yearly Christmas visit for the orphanage elderly in the nursing home and volunteer in playgroups singing nursery songs for the kids.  

Employee Reference

What do you expect your employee to gain from this program?

The ability to become a confident leader, role model, as well as self confidence.

How can you see your employee progressing in your organisation, in the community and/or other leadership roles?

I see her going far as Shermy is already donating her time working various community organizations; I believe that Shermy has the potential to be a great leader and role model.