THINKING AND ACTING STRATEGICALLY
IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT
co-sponsored by the City of Rapid City, SD and the South Dakota Municipal League
Rushmore Plaza Hotel, Rapid City, SD
June 29-July 1, 2008

» Download the Rapid City Seminar brochure  pdf
» Download the Rapid City Registration form  pdf
» Download the Rapid City Scholarship application  pdf

George Washington is known as the “Father of our Nation,” and Thomas Jefferson is commonly referred to as “The Expansionist.”  Abraham Lincoln has the distinction of being recognized as the “Preserver of the Union” and Theodore Roosevelt is notorious for being the “Protector of the Working Man.”

While each of these highly regarded leaders left their own particular legacy and impact on our country, they each began their leadership journey with a map or conscious plan, a vision of ideas that they believed would benefit the country and its citizens.  Recognizing the profound contribution that each leader has made, we see that they were able to lead and manage their vision and plan with precision, while also maintaining the ability to change and adapt to achieve the best outcome for the country. 

In our present day, local government leaders experience significant challenges in the communities that they serve. Local officials who lead with a clear vision bring forward a strong sense of community. 

Join leading experts and trainers who will engage you in a hands-on program to strategically approach your work as a local official; examine new approaches and workable solutions for your community.  Broaden your skills and learn effective tools; engage in a dynamic program that will strengthen your role in local government. 

Seminar Agenda
A preliminary schedule of events (subject to change)…

  Sunday, June 29, 2008 
      8:30 am – 2:00 pm    Registration 
      1:00 pm – 5:30 pm     Opening Session at Mt. Rushmore National Park
                                            Tour of Mt. Rushmore National Park
                                                Malcom Chapman, Seminar Facilitator, Council Member, Rapid City, SD

     5:30 pm - 6:30 pm    Reception
                                           Welcome:  Leadership of the City of Rapid City, SD

     7:00 pm -                  Evening Lighting Ceremony at Mt. Rushmore

  Monday, June 30, 2008
      8:00 am – 5:00 pm     Registration 
                    – 8:00 am    Continental Breakfast 
      8:30 am – 12:00 pm   Second Session: 
                                            Presidential Debate: A Vision for the United States of America
                                               President George Washington, Dean Malissa
                                               President Thomas Jefferson, Bill Barker
                                               President Abraham Lincoln, Fritz Klein
                                               President Theodore Roosevelt, James Foote
                                               Debate Moderator, Kathleen Novak

    12:00 pm –  1:00 pm     Lunch 
      1:00 pm –  5:00 pm    Third Session: 
                                              Strategic Planning Process
                                                 Dr. David Van Slyke, Professor of Public Administration, 
                                                     The Maxwell School of Government at Syracuse University 
 
  Tuesday, July 1, 2008 
      8:00 am – 12:00 pm   Registration 
                    –   8:00 am   Continental Breakfast
      8:30 am – 12:00 pm   Fourth Session: 
                                            Strategic Management for Local Government Leaders
                                                   Dr. David Van Slyke, Professor of Public Administration, 
                                                     The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University

                     – 12:00 pm   Seminar concludes

   1:00 pm –  5:00 pm    Optional Mobil Tour: 
                                              A Guided Tour of Rapid City and the Black Hills
                                                 The Honorable Mayor and City Council of the City of Rapid City, SD, 

Seminar Trainers

George Washington, aka David Malissa is a nationally recognized historical interpreter around the life and times of George Washington as General and President of the United States.

Thomas Jefferson, aka Bill Barker is a nationally recognized historical interpreter around the life and times of Thomas Jefferson as Ambassador to France and President of the United States.

Abraham Lincoln, aka Fritz Klein is a nationally recognized historical interpreter around the life and times of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States.

Theodore Roosevelt, aka James Foote is a nationally recognized historical interpreter around the life and times of Theodore Roosevelt as President of the United States.

Kathleen Novak serves as Mayor of Northglenn, Colorado; First Vice-President of the National League of Cities, and is a special member of the Graduate Faculty for the Graduate School of Buisness Administration at the University of Colorado at Denver.

Dr. David Van Slyke, Ph.D. is a professor of Public Administration at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY.