This virtual program for new school administrators and board chairs offers training and discussion on topics critical to leaders of Mercy Catholic schools.
For questions and registration information, please contact Susan Smith, Associate Director for Leadership Formation.
2024-2025 Cycle
Ethical Decision Making - Pat Talone, RSM
Presentation Dates:
Wednesday, November 6, 11 am ET
Wednesday, November 13, 6 pm ET
The presentation explores the WHY of making ethical decisions – aligning what we do with who we say we are. It provides a model of and clear steps for making key ethical decisions, particularly in an educational setting. Furthermore, it shows how Catholic teaching and Mercy values assist in what can often be a challenging process. Participants are encouraged to reflect before the meeting and come with at least one experience of ethical import from their own professional lives.
Grace Under Fire: Crisis Communications - Debbi Della Porta
Presentation Dates:
Tuesday, January 28, 11 am ET
Tuesday, January 28, 6 pm ET
This presentation will dive into learnings from crisis situations that may arise in Mercy schools, including employment issues and allegations of abuse. Case studies from the Sisters of Mercy will help participants prepare for and evaluate their response to crisis situations.
Servant Leadership - Sr. Mandy Carrier, RSM
Presentation Dates:
Monday, February 10, 11 am ET
Monday, February 10, 5:30 pm ET
What does it mean to be a Mercy servant leader? This session will review the characteristics of a servant leader, with a particular focus on the virtues of Community-building, empathy, listening, healing, empowerment and more.
Strengthening Our Catholic and Mercy Identity, Now and Into the Future: Mercy Education Leadership in Relationship with the Church - Sr. Terri Bednarz, RSM
Presentation Dates:
Wednesday, March 19, 11 am ET
Wednesday, March 19, 6 pm ET
This presentation will explore what it means to be prophetic leaders in our Catholic and Mercy schools. We will discuss strategies for deepening our Catholic and Mercy identity and strengthening our relationship with the Church through theological and Biblical education.
2023-2024 Cycle
CHARISM AND MISSION OF CATHERINE MCAULEY - Sandy Flaherty and Angie Simonetti
Presentation Dates:
August 29, 2023, 11:30 am – 1 pm EST
August 29, 2023, 6-7:30 pm EST
This presentation will describe the Mercy charism as a gift of God that enlivened and enabled Catherine McAuley’s life and work. It will address the ministry and leadership of Catherine McAuley and its implications for our schools. Additionally, it will provide practical ideas for implementing the Mercy mission into our school communities.
CATHOLIC IDENTITY STATEMENT - Sue Gallagher, RSM
Presentation Dates:
November 8, 2023, 11-12:30 pm EST
November 8, 2023, 6-7:30 pm EST
Given the current context of Mercy in our world and the church, leaders in Mercy schools can expect to be engaged in critical issues. In this session we will focus on our rootedness in the Gospel, Catholic Social Teaching, and Mercy documents including our Catholic Identity in the Mercy Tradition. Through participation in this session we can engage the support and challenge these resources provide and the encouragement we are to one another.
BEST BOARD PRACTICES AND GOVERNANCE - Carole Pfeffer
Presentation Dates:
January 9, 2024, 11-12:30 pm EST
January 10, 2024, 6-7:30 pm EST
This presentation will cover topics including the nonprofit corporation and its uses, the legal relationship of schools to the Sisters of Mercy, the legal responsibilities of the board of a nonprofit corporation and the art of being a good board member.
EVALUATING FOR MISSION - Jack Peterson
Presentation Date:
March 5, 2024. 6-7:30 pm
This session will focus on the importance of mission-based performance evaluations at all levels of the Mercy school, from board and administration to faculty and non-certificated staff, and provide some best practices important for the Mercy context. Participants will reflect on the challenge of involving all personnel in sustaining the Mercy mission yet respecting the unique ways the Holy Spirit works with each individual.
LEARNING TO LOVE STRATEGIC PLANNING - Colleen Bonar
Presentation Dates:
April 16, 2024, 11-12:30 pm EST
April 16, 2024, 6-7:30 pm EST
Do you have a strategic plan? Is it covered with dust in an over-sized binder on top of your filing cabinet? How do you propel your strategic plan from your bottom drawer to infuse it into the life of your school? The goal of our conversation is to explore the what, why, when, how, failures and successes, that surround the strategic planning process. The goal is that you conclude that the strategic planning process can galvanize your school community to engage together in system-wide school improvement.