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Lincoln Leadership Institute purchases bicycles for underprivileged youth

The National Park Service in Washington, D.C. has announced that Steven B. Wiley and The Lincoln Leadership Institute at Gettysburg has supported a National Park Service Youth in Conservation programs initiative in Gettysburg, Pa. Wiley and The Lincoln Leadership Institute at Gettysburg funded and purchased materials for 10 bicycles, helmets and accessories that were donated to underprivileged youth in Adams County, Pa.

The National Park Service's Learning and Development Leadership Team in Washington, D.C. worked with the Gettysburg-based nonprofit organization, Manos Unidas, to select the recipients of the bicycles. Manos Unidas is a Gettysburg-based youth services organization that promotes diversity in Adams County through cross-cultural service programs. Members from the National Park Service Learning and Development Leadership Team assembled the bicycles as part of an experiential team building service learning project for park staff. The bicycles were presented to 10 youth from the Hispanic community of Gettysburg and Adams County on Tuesday, Aug. 23, in Gettysburg.

"It's a privilege to partner with both the National Park Service and Manos Unidas on this project," said Angela Sontheimer, managing director for The Lincoln Leadership Institute. "We hope these bicycles make a positive impact and provide lots of fun for the children who receive them."

National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis has designated inclusion, diversity and youth programs as an important area of emphasis for the organization and its desire to educate diverse youth populations about the national park system.

Gettysburg meets government leaders at CHCI, Sept. 21

Image courtesy: CHCI

Steve is bringing leadership lessons from Gettysburg to the Center for Human Capital Innovation (CHCI) in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Sept. 21. CHCI will host a conference entitled "Leadership Development in a Rapidly Changing Government Environment." The event will take place at the Venable Conference Center, 575 Seventh St., NW, Washington, D.C., from 8 to 11:30 a.m.

Steve's presentation will focus on experiential leadership development using the Civil War as a metaphor and the battlefield as a living classroom and will explain the challenges of leadership responses to rapidly changing, stressful environments. Steve will provide an overview of the current state of leadership in the federal government today and discuss the importance of developing leadership success profiles, conducting personal talent evaluations and creating a program for leadership development. The presentation will conclude with a multimedia program and discussion on the value of experiential leadership.

Other highlights of the conference include a presentation by Valerie McDonough, Practice-Leader, Business Transformation from Taleo. McDonough will discuss how organizations are attaining success by strengthening the talent from within. Her discussion is based on the research paper, "Emerging Leaders: Build vs. Buy," written by Taleo Research and Development Dimensions International Inc.

Seating for the conference is very limited. Register today.

In addition to the conference, Steve and The Lincoln Leadership Institute at Gettysburg will be featured in the autumn 2011 issue of Warren Benn's Leadership Excellence in Government, CHCI's official publication. A digital edition of the issue will be available online.

The Lincoln Leadership Institute at Gettysburg formed a partnership with CHCI earlier this year. As part of the LLI/CHCI partnership, The Lincoln Leadership Institute serves as a member of CHCI's advisory board; advises CHCI on current and proposed initiatives and programs; co-sponsors research white papers, CHCI workshops and courses; and sponsors CHCI live events and conferences.

The CHCI is a think-tank dedicated to improving the performance and effectiveness of federal government operations. Learn more about CHCI online.

Hollywood meets Gettysburg during Wills House visit

Image courtesy: David Wills House/Main Street Gettysburg

The David Wills House in downtown Gettysburg received a brush with Hollywood last month. Film director Steven Spielberg toured the Wills House on Tuesday, Aug. 9. Spielberg was believed to be in Gettysburg conducting research for a film on President Abraham Lincoln. He also dropped by the historic train station on Carlisle Street during his visit.

The David Wills House was the home of Gettysburg attorney David Wills and was the house where Lincoln stayed the night before delivering the Gettysburg Address during the dedication of Soliders' National Cemetery in November 1863.

Today, the Wills House is a National Park Service site that tells the story of Abraham Lincoln's visit to Gettysburg, the David Wills family, the establishment of Soldiers' National Cemetery and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. The Wills House also serves as the headquarters for The Lincoln Leadership Institute at Gettysburg.

Lincoln Leadership Institute's Faculty Focus

The faculty of the Lincoln Leadership Institute are often asked to share their thoughts about Lincoln's acts of leadership, the Battle of Gettysburg and the Civil War. We're sharing some of their stories in each issue of News & Notes. Here's another answer to our question, "What's your favorite story from the Battle of Gettysburg?"

Reflections on the Courage of John Burns
Submitted by: Jim Getty

On July 1, 1863, shoe cobbler and Gettysburg resident John Burns took his musket from its place on a wall in his home. He was a veteran of the War of 1812. Burns proceeded west to Seminary Hill, where he fought alongside troops of the 150th Pennsylvania. He was wounded but managed to survive.

Just 4 1/2 months later, Burns met President Abraham Lincoln during Lincoln's visit here, and together, they attended a patriotic meeting at The Presbyterian Church, following the dedication ceremony at the National Cemetery. I believe each man was honored by being in the presence of the other.

I feel that a lesson reaches out from the actions of John Burns. This 72-year-old man, who had certainly "paid his dues," was willing to take another risk because he knew what was at stake.  He sensed he had something to contribute.

Lincoln's Acts of Leadership: September 1861

President Abraham Lincoln vowed to preserve the Union even if it meant war, and he did so by exerting his executive authority more than any other president in U.S. history. To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, we're presenting details of Lincoln's acts of leadership during each month the war raged on.

On Sept. 10, 1861, Lincoln exercises his executive authority by authorizing Maj. Gen. G.F. Butler, "to raise, organize, arm uniform and equip a Volunteer force for the War, in the New England States."  The next day, Sept. 11, Lincoln telegraphs the governors of the New England states, notifying them of Butler's request to raise volunteer regiments in their states. In the telegraphs, Lincoln respectfully asks for their consent.