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The New Mercy Leader Orientation Program is intended for all new leaders, whether school administrator and/or board chair. These new leaders will participate in the orientation program over a two-year period, attending five sessions per year.

In addition to the new leaders, seasoned leaders are accompanying the new leaders through the orientation process. Ideally, the new leaders will form their own “cohort” group for future collegiality and collaboration.

For questions and registration information, please contact Susan Smith, Associate Director for Leadership Formation.

2023-2024 Cycle

Download full program here.

CHARISM AND MISSION OF CATHERINE MCAULEY - Sandy Flaherty and Angie Simonetti

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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

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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

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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.

2022-2023 Cycle

Download full program here.

INTRODUCTIONS - Mercy Education Staff

Presentation Date: August 31, 2022, 1-2 pm ET

This session is for new Mercy Education administrators only.

SERVANT LEADERSHIP - Jason Moore

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Presentation Dates:
September 12, 2022, 11-12:30 pm EST
September 12, 2022, 6-7:30 pm EST

What does it mean to be a servant leader? 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 humility, hospitality, empathy, listening, healing, stewardship and more.

BUILDING A BRIDGE - CATHOLIC SCHOOLS' RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHURCH - Fr. James Martin, SJ

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Presentation Date:
October 25, 2022, 8 – 9:30 pm EST

Mercy schools are rooted in the Gospel through the Mercy charism and the Catholic faith. This presentation will look at what it means to be a Mercy Catholic school at a time when many students feel marginalized. It will cover practical issues that may arise from a school’s relationship to the Church as well as ways to navigate those challenges.

GRACE UNDER FIRE: CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS - Debbi Della Porta

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Presentation Dates:
December 5, 2022, 11-12:30 pm EST
December 7, 2022, 6-7:30 pm EST

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.

OVERVIEW OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES FUNCTION - Anne Searl

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Presentation Dates:
February 6, 2023 11-12:30 pm EST
February 8, 2023, 6-7:30 pm EST

This presentation will look at the human resources function through the lens of Mercy. It will cover topics including definitions and best practices in recruitment, selection, job analysis and design, performance management, training and development, employee relations, benefits, compensation, and payroll.

HABITS OF THE HEART AND MIND FOR ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING - Sue Sanders, RSM

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Presentation Dates:
March 27, 2023 11-12:30 pm EST
March 29, 2023, 6-7:30 pm EST

This presentation provides several approaches to help leaders identify, think about, reflect on, and discern their ways through the ethical dilemmas that will inevitably confront them during their service. Rather than an academic review of the philosophical “all-stars,” this presentation suggests some things trustees can do daily to develop the habits of mind and heart necessary for living an integrated, ethical life when truth telling is difficult, goods compete, and the “common good” is not so obvious.

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