Richmond Council examines leadership and organizational dynamics

Nearly 150 alumni leaders, students, faculty, parents and staff participated in the second annual meeting of The Richmond Council Oct. 27–28.

At its opening, plenary session, Brig. Gen. (ret.) Robert E. Gaylord, president and CEO of the Leader to Leader Institute outlined essential ingredients for effective leadership in the nonprofit world.

“Effective leaders walk the talk, and they take seriously the need to develop successors. Trust is the fundamental ingredient.” he said. He noted that The Richmond Council is “all about the destiny of the University, its students and our country.”

Following Gaylord’s remarks and a panel discussion, council members adjourned to small break-out lunch groups to discuss Gaylord’s points and their application to the University. The groups also addressed several questions drawn from Jim Collins’ best-selling book and monograph, Good to Great and the Social Sector. Ideas and suggestions generated during these discussions were reported at the council’s closing session on Saturday morning in the newly renovated Heilman Center.

A highlight of this year’s council weekend was a social and dinner Friday evening in the Robins Pavilion, at which the Alumni Association presented its annual awards. The entire council session was scheduled to lead into Homecoming Weekend, which featured more than 40 social, athletic, cultural and religious events.