The most important legacy that successful leaders can leave is the next generation of leaders. So concluded the 2005-2006 AAHSA Leadership Circle, which identified the development of the next generation of leaders as the single biggest need for the future of our field. Our challenge, as an association and a community, is to work with you to identify and foster the next generation.

We know that the stars of the future are among us. These emerging leaders catch our attention with their passion for their calling, their work ethic, their initiative and their healthy relationships with the people we serve and the employees and volunteers who serve them. I am inspired by their commitment and comforted to know our field has future leaders preparing to do great things.

To help foster our promising leaders, we are creating Leadership AAHSA, a year-long program to develop the future generation of leaders who will transform aging services and fulfill future leadership needs of organizations like yours.

The inaugural class of Leadership AAHSA will convene at our Annual Meeting in San Francisco in November. Following the kickoff, the Leadership AAHSA Class of 2007 will meet three additional times to learn about innovative AAHSA member programs and meet transformational leaders. Class members will be paired with experienced mentors to guide them and share their unique expertise.

The first class will be recognized as Leadership AAHSA Fellows at our 2007 meeting in Orlando, where they will welcome the class for the following year.

The cost of Leadership AAHSA will be supported through sponsorships, donations and tuition. Organizations that have a Leadership AAHSA candidate will bear the cost of the tuition, transportation, and lodging. Some scholarship funds will be available.

As with all our educational opportunities, Leadership AAHSA is based on sound leadership principles and the Power of Community. Participants will interact with successful programs, successful leaders and knowledgeable experts. They will come away with a richer knowledge of how to transform our field. They will develop a community of peers with whom they can embark on the journey. I have some lifelong friends and colleagues who have helped shape my career. We hope to catalyze that camaraderie and spirit for the future of our field.

The formal application process, with costs and schedules, will be announced in mid-June and a committee of AAHSA leaders will choose participants in mid-August. Organizations must nominate participants and priority will be given to applicants with extensive organizational support, demonstrated leadership potential, commitment to the year-long experience and diversity of background and identity.

Our thanks go to the co-chairs of AAHSA's Leadership Circle, Kathleen Anderson of Goodwin House and Pat Connelly of Sodexho for advancing this important initiative. We also thank Michele Holleran of Holleran consulting and John Diffey of The Kendall Corporation for chairing the Leadership AAHSA Steering Committee that developed this exciting program.

Let me know if you think you have an interest in nominating a candidate so we can begin to gauge the size of the inaugural class of Leadership AAHSA. Stay tuned for formal nominations in mid-June!

William L. Minnix, Jr., D.Min.
President and CEO

AAHSA
2519 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington DC 20008