HARVESTING SUCCESS

AGRICULTURAL 2012 Program of Study

LEADERS of TOMORROW

Tuesday, January 17, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Rend Lake Resort

What’s It All About?

Steve Gannaway, Director of Training and Development, IFB

Dave Stille, Training and Development Manager, IFB

Meet the other participants, receive program materials, preview the sessions, and learn about the format for the ALOT program.

Be the Best You Can Be

Robin Thompson, Owner of Etiquette-Network and Robin Thompson Charm School, Pekin, IL.

Many adults have little experience with etiquette. They feel uncomfortable with new situations and people. Good manners are equated with competence. Even in everyday life, possessing confidence and poise will simplify daily interactions. Knowing what to do, what to say, and when to do so will make you relaxed and feel at ease in all situations. This session will be filled with lots of tips that will help guide you through life.

Tuesday, January 24, 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, January 25, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Rend Lake Resort

Leadership--Enhancing Your Effectiveness

Shirley Stelbrink, Lead Training Consultant, Learning Alliances Company, Clinton, IL.

Challenge your concepts of leadership as we discuss skills and strategies to enhance your effectiveness. We will discuss communication skills, conflict resolution, ethics, and collaboration/team building.

What is your Temperament Style?

Dave Stille, Training and Development Manager, IFB

Steve Gannaway, Director of Training and Development, IFB

If you had a key that would unlock the answers to human behavior, would you use it? Imagine having the knowledge to truly understand yourself and others, without requiring years of study. Through this session, participants will learn how to understand the four temperaments of human behavior, uncovering what motivates each, and how to improve communication skills between each style. The skills learned can be incorporated in all areas of daily life, as well helping you to achieve higher levels of success, both personally and professionally.

Speaking With Confidence

Steve Gannaway, Director of Training and Development, IFB

Dave Stille, Training and Development Manager, IFB

Ann Kafer, Director of Corporate Communications and Marketing Services, GROWMARK

Gain more confidence in public speaking as you are guided through the "how-tos" for developing and giving a presentation.

Tuesday, January 31, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Rend Lake Resort

Creativity at Your Fingertips

Steve Gannaway, Director of Training and Development, IFB

Dave Stille, Training and Development Manager, IFB

IFB Graphic Arts Department

Creativity is a survival skill for today’s leaders, and the creation of new products and processes. Gain the confidence to face any challenge by unlocking your creative potential by creating your class logo. Be thinking of what legacy you want to pass-on to future classes about the ALOT 2012 program.

Tuesday, February 7, 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, February 8, 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Hilton, Springfield

Round Table Discussion with a Senator

Representative David Reis, Illinois 108 District

Learn about the challenges and rewards of representing agriculture in Springfield.

Lincoln and Leadership

Kim Bauer, Independent Researcher, Decatur, IL

Abraham Lincoln has been considered one of the greatest leaders. He picked his cabinet members knowing that they could be molded to work together during a time of civil discourse, not an easy task. Some imply that this came easily to Lincoln; however, Lincoln acquired his style of leadership through many years of trial and error. Always a person wanting to learn, he studied himself. He analyzed his shortcomings and discovered the most effect way of using them when dealing with people. He used humor to his advantage. He also used his friends’ and colleagues’ personalities and characteristics to help him achieve his desired goals. In this session, we will take a deeper look at Lincoln and his leadership style. Learn about his strengths and weaknesses and see if you can become like Lincoln, discovering your own strengths and shortcomings that can help you in your daily dealing with clients and staff.

FB ACT

Liz Hobart, Associate Director of National Legislation & Policy Development

You make the call you make the difference. Learn how easy it is and the importance of contacting your legislators.

State and National Legislative Update

Mark Gebhards, Executive Director of Governmental Affairs & Commodities, IFB

Review the current state and national issues and discuss what to expect while touring the capitol.

The Legislative Process

Lobbyist staff

Learn how a bill becomes a law and find out about the resources available to assist you.

Discover Your Strength

Steve Gannaway, Director of Training and Development, IFB

Dave Stille, Training and Development Manager, IFB

If you spend your life trying to be good at everything, you will never be great at anything. While our society encourages us to be well-rounded, this approach inadvertently breeds mediocrity. Organizations are quick to look for leaders who are great communicators, visionary thinkers, and who can also get things done and follow through. All of these attributes are desirable and necessary for an organization to succeed. But in all the leaders studied there has yet to be one found with all these strengths. During this session learn what your strengths are and how you can make your future teams more successful by identifying people’s strengths and how to tap into them.

Campaigns and Candidates

Glenn Hodas, Political Consultant at Hodas & Associates, Champaign, IL

Whether you are running for an office or helping someone else run for an office in your township or county; this session will help you focus on the research, grassroots, fundraising, earned media, paid media, and the field operations.

Tour of the Capitol

Steve Gannaway, Director of Training and Development, IFB

Dave Stille, Manager of Training and Development, IFB

Tour the House of Representatives, the Senate, meet your legislator, and see other highlights in our state capitol.

(Participants will stay overnight at the Hilton on Tuesday, February 7.)

Tuesday, February 14, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Rend Lake Resort

95 % of the World's Population Lives Outside the U.S.: Where Are Our Customers?

Ross Korves, Consultant, Mt. Prospect, IL.

The world's population will soon pass 6.8 billion and is expected to grow to over 8 billion by 2025. The 300 million people in the U.S. are our first market, closely followed by a second market of 145 million people living in Canada & Mexico. Japan is a third market with another 127 million people. Where do we go from there? The markets of the present and future will be explored. The "produce it and they will come philosophy" will not make the U.S. competitive. Trade policy & economic policy will greatly impact our ability to profitably reach additional markets. Food safety, carbon footprints, and other environmental concerns have caught the interest of consumers around the world and the U.S. must respond to them. Markets outside the U.S. have more opportunity than ever before, but also more challenges that need to be solved.

Tuesday, February 21, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Rend Lake Resort

Leadership Styles

Dave Stille, Training and Development Manager, IFB

Get better results from your members and volunteers by understanding leadership strategies, utilizing tools to

assess their needs to flex their leadership style, and learning skills and strategies to assist them in meeting the needs of their volunteers and members.

Generation

Dr. Sarah Bond, Instructor, Educational Administration and Higher Education, Southern Illinois University

People communicate based on their generational backgrounds. Each generation has distinct attitudes, behaviors, expectations, habits and motivational buttons. Learning how to communicate with the different generations can eliminate many major confrontations and misunderstandings. During this workshop you will begin to unlock the mystery of what makes these generations different. Explore what experiences have influenced their attitudes, values, and work styles. Identify what they need to be successful at work. Discuss how we can engage and inspire them to maximize their impact and productivity.

Tuesday, February 28 SNOW WEEK

Tuesday, March 6, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Rend Lake Resort

Coalition Building

Ryan Tracy, Director of External Relations, IFB

The importance of building and fostering relationships in the Agribusiness community.

Local Government

Kevin Rund, Senior Director Of Local Government, IFB

Learn about the local government and the importance it has in our daily lives.

Township & County Structure

Brenda Matherly, Assistant Director Of Local Government, IFB

This session will help you learn how to build on the coalitions with your township and county government structure.

Working with the Media

Rachel Torbert, Media Relations Manager, IFB

Review the key agricultural issues, discuss the elements of effective persuasion, and learn tips on how to communicate with the media.

Tuesday, March 13, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Rend Lake Resort

Meetings - Running On All Cylinders

Steve Gannaway, Director of Training & Development, IFB

Build on your leadership skills and learn how to harness the energy of the group in a meeting while staying focused, results oriented, and efficient.

So You Think You Can't Write

Jenn Beck, Senior Learning & Development Specialist, COUNTRY Financial

Review tips for effective writing. As a leader, you are often called upon to use your writing skills.

Wednesday, March 21, 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 22, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. IAA Building, Bloomington

Discussion with the President

Philip Nelson, President, IFB

Meet the President and discuss the current challenges of IFB.

China

Thomas D. Lutze, Ph.D., Professor of History, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL.

Partners or Rivals?

W. Michael Weis, Ph.D., Professor of History, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL.

The United States and Brazil or Latin America in the Age of Globalization?

The Middle East and Global Terrorism--Root Causes and Needed Responses

Dr. Jamal Nassar, Dean, College of Social Behavioral Sciences, California State University

Learn how terrorism feeds on poverty, ignorance, and injustice. In order to defeat terror, the global community needs to deal with its root causes and not just its symptoms.

Round Table Discussion with Speakers

Thomas D. Lutze, Ph.D., Professor of History, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL.

W. Michael Weis, Ph.D., Professor of History, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL.

Dr. Jamal Nassar, Dean, College of Social Behavioral Sciences, California State University

A Look at COUNTRY® Financial

Mary Guinane, Investment Officer, COUNTRY Trust Bank

Rob McDade, Vice President -- Financial & Brokerage Solutions, COUNTRY Financial

Hear CTB's economic outlook and investment information. Learn about how COUNTRY provides financial security for clients; the goals, objectives, and purpose of insurance and financial services companies; services available; and operations and sales outside of Illinois.

Cooperatives: Developing, Understanding, and Responsibilities

Dan Kelley, Chairman of the Board & President, GROWMARK, Inc., & Staff

Look at cooperatives and the philosophies and operations of GROWMARK.

Building a Better Team

Bryan Dodge, Consultant, Dodge Development Inc., Duncanville, TX

During this session you will learn why being a team player is so important in today’s world, how to support and build on the strengths and skills of the people around you, and how to discover and develop your talent DNA—the key to building a successful team.

How to Take Ownership of Leadership

Bryan Dodge, Consultant, Dodge Development Inc., Duncanville, TX

Take you team approach to the next level, during this time Bryan will discuss the three laws of leadership and how they affect every area of life, what motivates people, how to find and keep a good team, and how to improve team communication.

Presentation of Certificates

Receive your certificate, plus have a photo taken with the IAA Board members who serve on the

ALOT Advisory Committee.

(Participants will stay overnight at the Chateau Hotel & Conference Center, Bloomington, on Wednesday, March 21.)

The ALOT Advisory Committee thanks these organizations for their contributions and support to the ALOT program: COUNTRY® Insurance & Financial Services, GROWMARK, Inc., Participating FS Member Companies, County Farm Bureaus, Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc., Illinois Corn Growers Association, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, and

Illinois Soybean Association.