The 22nd Partnerships for Tomorrow Leadership Conference

Posted by Frank Woods on Mar 22, 2017
 
On Tuesday, March 14, 2017, 50 community business leaders met with 50 Folsom High School juniors at the 22nd Partnerships for Tomorrow Youth Leadership Conference held at Lakeside Church. This conference unites high school students with business and community leaders representing the City of Folsom to discuss leadership skills and ethical choices in the work place, in schools, and in the local and global community.
 
Rob Ross's group discussing traits of a leader.
 
Bob Hoffman's group interacting over lunch.
 
 

The format of the conference is similar to a business conference. The day started with registration and a continental breakfast.  At the first general session, John Abernethy, Rotary Club of Folsom, welcomed business leaders and students.  The flag salute followed led by Reshma Kodimerla, Folsom High Interact Club Vice President.  Rotary Club of Folsom President Bill Hutto talked about Rotary International and the Rotary Club of Folsom.  Folsom High School English Teacher Melinda Malaspino, gave instructions to participants and introduced the discussion group leaders.  In addition to Discussion Group Facilitators from the business community, each group had a Facilitator-in-Training, Class of 2017.  Each discussion group consisted of 7 business leaders from the community and 7 students.

The first group discussion session was Elements of Business Etiquette and Traits of a Leader and the second session was Leadership Skills.  In session 2, the participants discussed ethical scenarios affecting our schools, workplaces, and communities.  Each participant was given 7 case studies that they could discuss.  Also discussed in the session was the Rotary 4-Way Test.  The students were asked to be prepared during lunch to introduce themselves and what they planned to do after high school.  One or two students also had to be prepared to present what they learned and what action steps the group took away to implement the solutions from their discussions.

The second general session had everyone back together again for lunch and the team presentations.  Folsom High English Teacher Melinda Malaspino announced each team when it was their turn to present.

 

Rob Ross's group working on their presentation.
Joe Hoffman's group presentation.

 

Melinda Malaspino introduced each of the groups who then came on stage for their presentations.

John Abernethy introduced our Keynote Speaker, Will Robins, PGA, owner of Will Robins Golf.  Will talked about his experience surviving the tsunami in Thailand in 2004.

Closing Remarks were made by Howard Cadenhead, Principal, Folsom High School and Melinda Malaspino.

The Discussion Group Facilitators were:
  • Sarah Bulman, Training Consultant, Bulman & Associates
  • Rob Ross, CEO, Think Smart Group, Inc.
  • Bob Hoffman, Optometrist, Bob Hoffman O,D.
  • Joe Hoffman, Family Law Attorney, Hoffman & Hoffman
  • Ryan Jantzen, Partner/Senior Financial Advisor, Pacific Investment Consultants
  • Christie Ross, Manager of Operations, Think Smart Group, Inc.
  • Bob Quinlan, CEO, Elbow Pad

Group photo of the students waiting for the bus to return to school.

Thank you Folsom Rotary Annes for handling registration and meals, and helping defray the cost of the conference.  Also, thank you to Rich Rider and Ramesh Dontha for getting business leaders and the Folsom Chamber of Commerce for providing the materials used in the discussion groups.  Also, thank you to Sidney and Charles Wilkinson, Dave Doherty, and Jean Hatfield for setting up the continental breakfast.

For more pictures of the conference, go to Youth Leadership Conference.