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Under the consultation of a local investment professional, Fellows design and lead classes on investment and finance. The class is composed of eight sessions throughout the year, and involves several speakers addressing topics ranging from economic indicators to tax laws. In addition, Fellows are challenged to invest a mock $100,000 over nine months in a variety of mutual funds and stocks. Investments are tracked and analyzed by each individual Fellow. The Fellow yielding the highest return receives a cash prize for contribution to an IRA. Fellow responsibilities include developing lesson plans, leading discussions, and scheduling speakers for the class.
Public speaking coordination is designed to assist
Fellows as they prepare for speaking opportunities and presentations assigned
throughout their Fellowship, such as The First Tee Annual Meeting, USGA
Family Meetings, Junior Golf Summits, and various other conferences. Practice
sessions are scheduled allowing Fellows to present in front of the office
prior to speaking engagements so that they may be critiqued on content and
delivery. Public speaking reviews during Fellows' presentations in other
professional development classes so that they can practice presentation
styles on a more regular basis. Additionally, more formalized public speaking
training workshops are coordinated throughout they year and are led by communications
professionals and educators.
Non-Profit Fundraising class meets once a month over the course of the Fellowship and is taught by a professional fundraising consultant. The first year of the class provides Fellows with essential background information on the structure of non-profit organizations and the fundraising strategies that successful organizations adapt. In the second year, Fellows utilize this knowledge to review case studies of various non-profit organizations. Second Year Fellows also have the opportunity to apply theories to local non-profits in need of fundraising assistance and strategy. Fellows may even be considered to shadow a fundraising consultant and the organization's clients. This class is especially useful in day-to-day work because it provides a tool for evaluating the organizations that apply to the USGA for grant funds and expands technical advice in the area of fundraising.
Non-Profit Sector Financial Management class emphasizes
the understanding of financial statements and reports
in an effort to determine if an organization is financially
sound. Fellows will be versed in topics such as IRS rules,
cash flow management, balance sheets and internal and
management controls and diagnostic tools. Fellows learn
the economic basics behind an organization and how their
fiscal decision-making affects success. The topics covered are beneficial not
only when evaluating grant applicants, but also in your personal investing and
future business or non-profit career plans.
Fellows in each region participate in Mentoring workshops.
Fellows are encouraged to work through exercises and
with theories in effective communication, feasible goal-setting,
and conflict resolution styles. The First Year and Second
Year Fellows meet to discuss personal communication styles,
set regional goals, and contemplate possible conflict
resolution tactics. The USGA Fellowship in many ways
is built on the tenet of effective mentoring. Mentoring
is a means for passing on institutional knowledge and
history while also having someone dedicated to your professional
success and development.
This one-day seminar is led by a retired colonel from the United States Air Force and involves in-depth discussion of case studies, statistics, and videotape examples highlighting the topic of ethics in America. There is a strong focus on the tie between ethics and leadership, including influence, trust, respect, and role-modeling. Additionally, Fellows discuss the definition of ethical dilemmas and resolution strategies for dealing with those situations.
These workshops are facilitated by an outside agency and
all Fellows and staff participate. During a Fellow's first
year, he or she takes the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to
determine interpersonal preferences and how these preferences
play out with others who are the same/different. In the
second year, Fellows participate in 360 peer analysis of
their witnessed leadership principles, through the LPI
(Leadership Practices Inventory). A culmination of this
leadership training occurs with an all-Fellow and staff
workshops. This training is used as a basis of the organization's
culture and response to creating diverse dynamic teams.
The office receives media and public relations training with the Senior Director of Communications for the USGA and the USGA's public relations firm. This is an opportunity for each Fellow to receive feedback on his/her writing style as well as ways to improve the writing. Fellows learn the importance of positive media relations and working with local media contacts in distributing press releases for USGA-supported programs. Additionally, Fellows are taught public speaking tactics and how to apply key messages in speeches and interviews. Fellows present an impromptu speech and are critiqued.
Civic Engagement is a three-part series
each year for Fellows to gain awareness and learn about
current issues facing the community. It is directed by
the former Mayor of Colorado Spring and includes information
sessions in topics such as local government, human services,
public safety, military, and small businesses. During each
session, Fellows tour specific agencies and entities of
Colorado Springs, such as city hall, traffic headquarters,
the children's nursery, senior center, homeless shelter,
soup kitchen, the county jail, and juvenile detention center.
City officials and employees address the community challenges,
demographics of clientele and partnerships that further
the services offered.
Fellows participate in two, weeklong Outward Bound courses throughout their Fellowship, a mountain course in Colorado and a river course in Utah. The focus of is on leadership, group dynamics, risk-taking and communications. With the implementation of alternative environments, each Fellow is afforded two unique experiences in teambuilding and leadership training over the duration of their Fellowship.
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