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The Leadership Academy training continues to be the most important training offered through the Network. It is through Leadership Academy that an advocacy network is created and it is through the network that Leadership Academy is delivered.

The Leadership Academy is a research-based, exemplary program designed for consumers who want to work collaboratively to improve their communities and state. The Leadership Academy training is one of the most effective resulting in outcomes of; a better understanding of how systems work; an increase in self-empowerment and networking skills; the development of advocacy skills and the improvement of leadership skills. Both the participants and the mental health system benefit from Leadership Academy.

Who We Are:
The Maine Leadership Academy is a self-help program successfully adapted and implemented by the Advocacy Initiative Network of Maine (The Network).

Overview:
The Leadership Academy is an exemplary grassroots program, nationally recognized for its empowering activities in community organizing and action planning for adults with psychiatric disabilities and their families. The Leadership Academy provides a foundation for enhancing consumer skills for effective speaking and civic advocacy and is an evidence-based program with significant outcomes.

The training uses overheads and participant manuals to teach nineteen practical lessons about the etiquette of consumer involvement, identification of issues, and advocacy organizations. This excellent skill-building curriculum is followed up with collaborative projects that foster networking and continued learning.

There is a beginning and advanced "Train-the-Trainers" seminar at which Leadership Academy graduates who have demonstrated interest and aptitude are taught to become trainers at future Academies. Nearly all trainers at Maine’s Academies are non-professional LA graduates.

We have held two Leadership Academy Conferences hosting workshops on relevant topics presented by graduates of the program as well as expert guests. It is our goal to seek funding to hold an annual Maine Leadership Academy Conference. The conference would allow graduates to reconnect with individuals they have met through LA and meet others to exchange ideas, strategies, and insights.

The LA project includes collaboration and referrals from WRAP and Leadership Academy facilitators, drop-in centers, social-clubs, self-help groups, peer groups, behavioral health centers, and other related groups across the state.

Workshop Description:
Lesson 1 - defines consumer involvement and explains the different forms it can take: individual, organizational, community, state and national.

Lesson 2 - offers an etiquette course that is important for the ultimate success of any consumer endeavor.

Lesson 3 - describes different types of information that are shared in meetings: issues, announcements, and general discussion topics.

Lesson 4 - describes several sources of information that can be used to identify issues, such as personal observations, board minutes, press releases, etc.

Lesson 5 - helps consumers identify issues that are highly suitable for consumer organizations. Issue types portrayed help organize options for appropriate action.

Lesson 6 - discusses how to select relevant issues to report to the group by considering interest, effect on others, relationship to current activities, etc.

Lesson 7 - tells how to develop goals and clarify suggestions for action by the group for identified issues. The Goal/Response Chart is introduced.

Lesson 8 - gives steps to reporting issues in a way so the interest of a group is stimulated and action is considered.

Lesson 9 - offers ideas and suggestions for organizing groups involved in community advocacy, including recruitment, the first meeting, and promotion.

Lesson 10 - describes how the chairperson and secretary can help in conducting effective meetings as members follow rules for a good discussion.

Lesson 11 - provides instructions for the group secretary on taking the minutes of group meetings, and explains the importance of recording minutes and managing group records.

Lesson 12 - describes how to form an agenda to get the meeting started.

Lessons 13, 14, 15, 16 & 17 - show ways to hold an effective meeting including: opening the meeting (13); leading discussions (14); taking votes (15); planning action projects (16) and closing meetings (17).

Lesson 18 - provides suggestions for working with culturally diverse populations and how to increase culturally sensitivity and understanding within a group.

Lesson 19 - presents some organizational considerations and general information regarding legal responsibilities and standards for advocacy groups.

Maine Leadership Academy Teaches:

• Self Help - Obtaining skills to improve your quality of life
• Collective Advocacy - A group of individuals acting together to actively speak out in favor of or against an issue
• Leadership - An individual taking a proactive role in offering guidance and direction
• Community Involvement - Taking an active role in exchanging information with a group of people having common interests.
• Conducting meetings - Ability to effectively lead a group of individuals to accomplish goals or exchange information
• Issue Awareness - Monitoring for any actions proposed on a subject that is important
• Action Plan - A method of preparing for a project that involves breaking the project into steps, outlining desired results, resources needed to complete the project, and developing a timeline for completion

• Networking
• Action Plans
• Conference Calls
• Opportunities for advanced training
• Annual Conference
• Cost Effectiveness

• Enthusiasm: Participants at the Leadership Academy have an opportunity to take part in an exciting curriculum that can be useful with or without prior training in mental health issues, leadership, or advocacy.
• Preparation: Participants can expect to attend daily training sessions and to learn more about how to use individual skills to better understand group advocacy skills.
• Responsibility: Participants will create Action Plans to address real needs as selected during course work. Completing the Leadership Academy offers participants a wonderful opportunity to apply individual skills toward group and community involvement and advocacy.

• 1999 Graduate from Milo-- “I found Leadership Academy to be a very rewarding experience. It gave me the confidence to go back to work. I have had the added opportunity of becoming a Leadership Academy Trainer. It is amazing to see the growth in people after they have attended a Leadership Academy”
• 1999 Graduate from Bangor -- “ I gained the self-confidence to go back to college and get my associate’s degree in computer information. I was elected student of the year and, because of Leadership Academy I’m able to stand up for myself confidently and get my career on track. Leadership Academy was a great experience.”
• 2002 Graduate from Lewiston-- “ Leadership Academy helped me to think faster, to not be shy and speak out when necessary. The people involved are good people.”
• 2003 Graduate from Portland -- “ This was the best training I have ever been to and I have been to a lot of trainings even national trainings. I’m going to go back and tell people how great this was and how much I learned.”
• 2001 Graduate from Bangor -- “The overall process was wonderful! It was educational and offered opportunities for growth and bonding with other participants.”
• 2002 Graduate from Bangor-- “Leadership Academy is good for many who have had no experience in consumer advocacy. It should continue, people need to understand and participate. Anyone would benefit from Leadership Academy.”
• 2002 Graduate from Portland -- “Through Leadership Academy I discovered my ability to go beyond what I thought was the best of my ability.”
• 2003 Graduate from Portland -- “I have been to a lot of trainings, I mean a lot. This was the first time I have ever gone through a training that I have learned so much and had so much fun doing it.”
• 2002 Graduate from Lewiston-- “ A lot of personal growth happened for me at Leadership Academy especially about how to move my life forward. It was a great experience.”
• 2001 Graduate from Augusta-- “I gained more confidence in dealing with issues, more knowledge in how things should be run and gained the skills to work in advocacy meetings and situations”
• 1999 Graduate from South Paris-- “I feel that Leadership Academy helped me improve my communication skills. I’m more articulate, and it encouraged me to meet people.”
• 2002 Graduate from Winterport -- “Leadership Academy helped me learn a lot about how to organize meeting information and break things down into small units for understanding.”
• 2004 Graduate from Milford -- "Leadership Academy showed me the importance of getting involved with my peers to work within the system to promote positive consumer voice and change."