The Power of Learning Together: Impact Texas Initiative Launches New Generation of Nonprofit Leaders

During the last week of January, 33 leaders from the nonprofit sector gathered in Austin for a new kind of learning opportunity. With energy and enthusiasm, the participants talked and actively engaged in assignments and games. Over their three-day session, they were challenged to articulate their own leadership style, as well as how they viewed accountability and responsibility. And throughout their time together, they kept discussing how their leadership could create greater impact-not just at their organizations, but throughout the larger nonprofit sector.

Thus began the first gathering of the Impact Texas Initiative (ITI).

Facilitators Dr. Barry Bales and Joyce Sparks led the first ITI cohort participants in an innovative session that was truly driven by the group's needs and direction. The participants learned about developing their own leadership skills, as well as the benefits of coaching and passing leadership skills on to their employees. Through activities such as the Myers-Briggs personality test, the ITI participants also learned about their personality types, which will help them to better understand themselves and their employees-and how they can work together more effectively.

"The group showed a strong willingness to participate, and that is ultimately what made this first training session such a success," said Jane Murray, Organizational Development Specialist at OneStar Foundation. "The Impact Texas Initiative draws people from across the state to learn and grow together. Even during the first day of the training session, the group showed tremendous dedication to learning from one another, which will ultimately enhance everyone's experience."

The feedback that OneStar has received from ITI participants has been extremely positive. The following comments were recently submitted:

• "I am still thinking and talking about effective leadership."
  
• "Thanks! It was incredible. Very high quality-not the same stuff we've heard and gone over before!"
  
• "Thanking you much for a tremendous training."
  
• "Thank you for the excellent training!"

"And this is just after one training session," noted Murray. "Imagine how much the group's members will have learned by the conclusion of the program!"

OneStar is honored to be launching and leading the ITI. As the program continues, watch our Web site for more stories on the program's participants and their successes.