All SMDRA REALTOR^® Members in good standing are eligible to apply.  ALL interested parties would complete an application and acknowledge the enrollment fee of $300. Applications must be completed and submitted to SMDRA staff.  The Leadership Academy Advisory Board will recommend to the Board of Directors which applicants to approve.  Attendance in the Leadership Academy does not guarantee a position of leadership in the Association, although it is designed to develop future Association leaders.  Participants have 2 cycles to complete requirements.

Academy graduates will gain a clear understanding of the organizational structure of all 3 levels of the REALTOR^® Association and the challenges of leadership. Attendees will come to understand how SMDRA strives to provide advantages to members in a changing industry.  The Academy will build relationships, increase understanding of the importance of political advocacy, and the personal benefit through increased industry knowledge, self-confidence, and business networking.

1. KICK-OFF SESSION: Monday, January 6th from 2pm–5pm at SMDRA – Leadership Academy classmates will get to know each other, get to know the current Board of Directors, and learn about what lies ahead in the Academy.
2. SOUTH METRO DENVER CHAMBER ECONOMIC FORECAST PRESENTATION: Friday, January 24th from 7am–10:00am at CU South Denver in Lone Tree – The class will attend South Metro Denver’s premiere economic forecast presentation for the coming year and afterwards spend time with Chamber leaders to learn about the relationship between SMDRA and the Chamber.
3. REALTOR® DAY AT THE CAPITOL: Thursday, February 13th All Day at Colorado State Capitol – A full day of advocacy and grassroots activity highlights CAR’s REALTOR® Day at the Capitol. Attendees will learn the role advocacy plays in SMDRA’s mission, as well as be briefed on the issues affecting the real estate industry at the State Capitol.
4. SMDRA – THE HOW AND THE WHY: Tuesday, March 10th at SMDRA – This session will begin to peel back the layers of what SMDRA does for our members and why the services are provided. We’ll review the inner workings of the association and begin the process of identifying portions of the Value Proposition that attendees find most intriguing.
5. TEAM BUILDING: Late March/Early April at TBD – This exercise will focus on fun and camaraderie, two elements crucial to any leader.
6. SMDRA’S DIAMOND CIRCLE EVENT: Friday, April 16-17th at Hyatt Regency DTC – Leadership Academy attendees will be asked to participate in the production of SMDRA’s Diamond Circle Awards event, the south metro Denver market’s premier real estate awards ceremony.
7. LEADERSHIP SKILLS 101: Tuesday, May 5th from 8:00am–12:00pm at SMDRA – Instructor Darice Brown will lead a class that covers basic leadership skills, time management, career management, and the skills required to blend all of these elements together into become a successful REALTOR® leader.
8. CREATING CULTURE – LEARNING TO MANAGE PERSONALITIES & MEETINGS: Tuesday June 9th from 1:00pm-4:00pm at SMDRA – This session will get you thinking out side the box about concepts like creating culture, understanding personalities, managing productive meetings, maintaining order, and leading with compassion as well as passion.
9. SMDRA BOD MEETING: Thursday, June 18th from 8:00am-12:30pm at SMDRA – Classmates will attend a SMDRA BOD meeting to learn current industry issues as well as to understand the skills necessary to make an impact. Throughout the day, attendees will have access to the Directors as they debate agenda topics and to ask questions on what topics are covered.
10. LEADERSHIP & YOUR PUBLIC PRESENCE: Tuesday, July 21st 1:00pm to 4:00pm at SMDRA – Back by popular demand, REALTOR® and local TV Newsman Lane Lyon will lead a class on maintaining a positive public presence. Included in this class will be tips for media interaction, using video in your marketing, and even a “spokesperson training lite” element that gets you comfortable speaking before a camera and/or an audience. SMDRA’s new Video Studio will be introduced and featured in this session.
11. LEADERSHIP ACADEMY GRADUATION: Thursday, September 17th at SMDRA Inaugural – The 2020 SMDRA Leadership Academy will graduate at SMDRA’s Inaugural and Awards Celebration.

NOTES:
Completion of all courses is a requirement for graduation.
Class fee of $300 covers all breakfasts, lunches, speaker fees, registration fees and course materials.