Target Audiences: New and developing (mid-level) leaders within the National Park Service, or individuals who are relatively new to the NPS whose supervisor or park superintendent believes possess leadership potential within the NPS. This course is applicable for developing leaders from all disciplines and offices within the National Park Service.

Course Objective: To better equip and prepare NPS employees who have demonstrated leadership potential or skills for future leaders within the agency. Focus will be on leadership competencies, which will be obtained through a series of classroom instruction, workshops and interactive presentations by NPS leadership.

Course Description: This multidisciplinary course will offer seminars on the effectiveness of leadership style, the development of leadership competencies, and will provide technical information on current trends and direction within the NPS. A special emphasis will be placed on environmental leadership. Students will attend plenary and interactive presentations by the directorate of the National Park Service and other senior NPS leaders, noted authors and leaders in conservation and park management. The final day of the seminar will focus on group discussions with past and present senior NPS leaders on leadership skills, style and commitment.

Facilitation: The seminar will be facilitated by the Association of National Park Rangers.

Dates: 8 a.m. Monday, Nov. 1, through noon Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010

Location and Hotel: The course venue is The Riverhouse nestled along the beautiful Deschutes River, just minutes from downtown Bend and Mount Bachelor, Oregon. Visit the hotel website at www.riverhouse.com. You can make reservations now by calling 1-800-547-3928. Ask for the Association of National Park Rangers room block.

Cost/Funding: Benefiting accounts will pay for travel and per diem, instructors will be provided by the Association of National Park Rangers. There will be no charge for instructors provided by the Association of National Park Rangers, although participants will need to pay tuition costs of $85-$105 (based on conference registration category and supplemental materials and additional support fee of $20).

Course Agenda (updated 9/23/10):

Monday, Nov. 1
8:30 am Course Introduction and Logistics: Barry Sullivan
9:00 am Panel: Leadership/Retiree Roundtable: Deanne Adams, Bill Wade
10:30 am ANPR: State of the Association: Scot McElveen
1:30 pm Keynote: The State of Science in the NPS: Gary Machlis, NPS Science Advisor to the Director
3:30 pm Panel: Contemporary Leadership Challenges: NPS Associate Directors

Tuesday, Nov. 2
7:00 am First Time Rendezvous Attendees Breakfast: ANPR Board of Directors
9:00 am Panel: Environmental Leadership: Jeff Cross, Shawn Norton, Angie Richman
10:45 am Keynote: Director's Presentation: NPS Director Jon Jarvis
12:15 pm Partnerships in Conservation: Service Project Welcome, Director Jarvis, Oregon State Parks staff
1:00 pm Leading by Example: Service Project: Pilot Butte State Park
7:00 pm My Life with the NPS: Real Life Behind the Glory (panel)

Wednesday, Nov. 3
8:45 am Recognizing Leadership: NPCA/ANPR Awards: NPCA, Scot McElveen
10:15 am Keynote: What to Look for in a Leader: Liz Parrish, Life Through Dogs LLC
1:30 pm Environmental Advocacy & Political Challenges: NPCA Leadership Staff
3:30 pm Breakout Option 1: Environmental Leadership: Elwha Dam Case Study, Brian Winter, OLYM & Maureen Finnerty
Breakout Option 2: Leadership in Interpretation, Mather Trng Ctr staff, Tom Medema, Paul Ollig, Sheri Forbes

Thursday, Nov. 4
8:45 am Keynote: Leadership in Conservation: Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore. (invited)
10:45 am Course Wrap Up: Leadership from Beyond: Barry Sullivan

*A Seasonal Recruitment Operations Center staff table and peer resume review service also will be available throughout the course.