The Leader's Apprentice
Lenore Kilmartin
Oakville, Ontario, Canada
From: LEAVEN, Vol. 35 No. 4, August-September 1999, p. 96
Some days ago I was reminiscing
with my husband about the years that he spent apprenticing to become
a skilled tradesperson. As he recounted the hours he spent watching,
listening, reading, writing exams, attending classes, taking on more
responsibility under the watchful eye of his supervisor and the excitement
he felt when he became qualified, I realized that what he was describing
was very much like preparing for LLL leadership.
In many ways, the Leader
Applicant is apprenticing to become a Leader. She watches and listens
to experienced Leaders, reads, thinks about her experiences while writing
her personal history and attends meetings. She learns to lead meetings
and help women breastfeed, gradually becoming acquainted with the many
aspects of a Leader's job.
Like my husband did as an
apprentice, the Applicant may sometimes misstep. She may speak inappropriately
at meetings, misunderstand a procedure, not communicate clearly. A simple,
friendly reminder from a Leader can be helpful, for example,
What a wonderful publicity
idea; let's be sure to ask the District Advisor for her input, too.
The side conversations
at the meeting were distracting to me; was it difficult for you when
the new mother was chatting with you during our round robin?
The Applicant's preparation
for LLL leadership is a progressive learning experience. As time goes
by, there are many teaching and learning opportunities. By keeping her
ears and eyes open and modeling the skills a Leader uses, the Leader
can help an Applicant learn about what is expected and how to fulfill
the responsibilities of a Leader.
As the application progresses,
the Applicant can be given more and more opportunities to practice leadership
skills. Ask her to write the Group's monthly meeting report, lead the
enrichment topic during a Planning/Evaluation Meeting, work with the
Group Librarian if the library needs reorganising or revitalizing, plan
a fundraiser, help plan a Series Meeting. This will give her lots of
learning experience and pave the way for a smooth transition to LLL
leadership. Be ready with loads of enthusiasm, information, resources,
encouragement, support and understanding. A cooperative learning environment
now will lend itself beautifully to co-leading in the future.
An Applicant brings marvelous
enthusiasm to her preparations for leadership. Her joy in breastfeeding
and mothering is invigorating as well as her desire to bring that joy
to others. Your enthusiasm for LLL, breastfeeding and mothering will
inspire her.
At the end of an application
that includes a thorough apprenticeship, the Applicant is ready to begin
her duties as a La Leche League Leader. After all, with your help, she
has been moving steadily in that direction from the beginning.
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:31:33 UTC 2007.
