Athenian Leadership Society
What Is An Athenian Dialogue?
Dialogues are conversations that go beyond the usual knowledge recall and application process familiar to all municipal clerks in training seminars. They are unique because they explore leadership principles and practice, drawing on the insights contained in a book that all participants have read.
Dialogues are conversations in which clerks share their experience and understanding as it relates to the ideas of the author and the relevance of those ideas to their public leadership role.
The premise of the Athenian Dialogue Society is the idea that clerks are leaders in very profound yet subtle ways. Leadership here is not the transactional vending machine citizens seem to believe about public management. The interest and involvement of the participants, as well as the author’s specific focus and emphasis, require that the facilitator move with purpose using language of meaning, feeling, and power. Participants devote a full day (6 hours) to a Dialogue and come away intellectually enriched by this communication experience.
Clerk leadership is more transformational in nature. That is to say, the contribution of clerks to municipal leadership changes the perception of colleagues and citizens about the role and purpose of government.
Athenian Dialogues are an IIMC programs which may be offered by IIMC approved Institutes, State/National/Provincial Clerk Associations. ALL Dialogues must go through a pre-approval process with the Education Department in order to be recognized by IIMC.
Athenian Leadership Policy
Looking to host an Athenian Dialogue? Be sure to review and follow the Athenian Leadership Policy which provides detailed information on hosting a Dialogue. New updates have been made to this policy for the allowance of Virtual Athenian Dialogues.
Hosting an Athenian Dialogue
All Athenian Dialogues must be pre-approved by the IIMC Education Department.
To begin the approval process and have your Dialogue recognized by IIMC, complete the Athenian Dialogue Approval Request Form.
Athenian Dialogue Approval Request Form - Click Here
CMC/MMC Points Earned
Pre-approved Dialogues are eligible for 3 CMC Education Points or 3 MMC Advanced Education Points with completion of the required learning assessment.
Note: A maximum of 18 points can be applied to a CMC/MMC application from Athenian Dialogues.
Looking to Attend An Upcoming Approved Dialogue?
See the full listing of approved Athenian Dialogues - Click Here
Athenian Leadership Society Dialogue Approved Books
Per the IIMC Athenian Dialogue Policy, all books must be pre-approved by IIMC. Below is a list of books that have gone through the pre-approval process and are available for use.
Approved Book List for Athenian Dialogues - Click Here
If you wish to use a book that is not listed on the list below, please complete the "New Athenian Book Approval Request Form" to have the book reviewed by IIMC's Education Department.
New Athenian Book Approval Request Form - Click Here
Athenian Dialogue Facilitators
All Athenian Dialogue Facilitators must be approved by IIMC. The ideal Dialogue Facilitator should be an individual who is capable of grasping and dissecting the essential leadership knowledge that is contained in and dispersed throughout the contents of an appropriate book. This knowledge must then be conveyed primarily through discussion, as opposed to lecture alone, eliciting input from each individual participant on the relevance and applicability of the principles and skills gleaned. The Facilitator must in essence build a "bridge" between the ideas contained in the book used and the leadership concepts and principles that are relevant to a Municipal Clerk.
For more information on the requirements for becoming an Athenian Facilitator please follow this link.
Approved Facilitators
The following individuals have been approved by IIMC as Athenian Leadership Society Dialogue Facilitators. If you are looking for a facilitator you may use someone from this list or have your new facilitator pre-approved by IIMC (see requirements above). All facilitators may travel out of their region.
List of Approved Facilitators - Click Here!
Joining the Athenian Leadership Society
If you love Athenian Dialogues, you are encouraged to join the Athenian Leadership Society as a member. In order to join the society, you must be an active member of IIMC in good standing. All IIMC membership types (Full Member, Additional Full Member, Associate Member and Retired Member) may apply for membership into the Athenian Leadership Society.
To become a member of the Society, complete the Athenian Leadership Society Membership Application. There are two ways to complete the Membership Application Form:
- Athenian Membership Application - Credit Card Payment Only
- ALS Membership Application - Check Payment Only
Want to see who's already a Member of the Society? Click here for a list!
Becoming a Paul Craig Athenian Fellow
The highest recognition in the Athenian Leadership Society is to be inducted as a Paul Craig Athenian Fellow. To apply for this recognition, one must complete 10 Athenian Dialogues and submit the Athenian Leadership Society Fellowship Application
Please note: Participants are required to maintain attendance records. IIMC does not maintain records for dialogues.
To apply for the fellowship, complete the Athenian Leadership Society Fellow Application - Click Here
Once approved you name will appear below and you will be recognized during the Opening Ceremony at the next IIMC Annual Conference.
Want to see who's already achieved this recognition? Click here for a list of approved Paul Craig Athenian Fellows.
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Wed, Dec 6
Athenian Dialogue: Rising Strong VIRTUALRead On -
Fri, Dec 8
Athenian Dialogue: Mr. President, How Long Must We Wait? CLASS FULL VIRTUALRead On -
Fri, Dec 8
Athenian Dialogue: This Is Me VIRTUALRead On -
Tue, Dec 12 - Wed, Dec 13
Athenian Dialogue: Rousey - My Fight/Your Fight VIRTUALRead On -
Wed, Dec 13
Athenian Dialogue: Getting Along: How To Work With AnyoneRead On -
Tue, Jan 9
Athenian Dialogue: Highest DutyRead On -
Wed, Jan 10
Athenian Dialogue: Atomic HabitsRead On -
Wed, Jan 10
Athenian Dialogue: Dust Bowl GirlsRead On -
Wed, Jan 24
Athenian Dialogue: This Is Me VIRTUALRead On -
Wed, Jan 24
Athenian Dialogue: Enjoying The Ride VIRTUALRead On -
Wed, Jan 24
Athenian Dialogue: Never Split the DifferenceRead On -
Fri, Jan 26
Athenian Dialogue: Quiet Voice, Fearless Leader VIRTUALRead On -
Sat, Jan 27
Athenian Dialogue: This Is MeRead On -
Fri, Feb 2
Atheense Dialoog: Begin met het WaaromRead On -
Tue, Feb 6 - Wed, Feb 7
Athenian Dialogue: Year Of Yes VIRTUALRead On -
Fri, Feb 9
Athenian Dialogue: Death of a Public Servant VIRTUALRead On -
Thu, Feb 22 - Thu, Feb 29
Athenian Dialogue: The Gifts of Imperfection VIRTUALRead On -
Tue, Feb 27 - Wed, Feb 28
Athenian Dialogue: The Lighthouse Effect Read On -
Thu, Feb 29
Athenian Dialogue: It Worked For MeRead On -
Wed, Mar 20
Athenian Dialogue: Rising Strong VIRTUALRead On