All SMDRA REALTOR® Members in good standing are eligible to apply. ALL interested parties would complete an application and acknowledge the one-time enrollment fee. Applications must be completed and submitted to SMDRA staff. The Academy Task Force 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. Kickoff Reception – Tuesday, December 12^th from 4 PM – 6 PM @ SMDRA – The kickoff reception is a mixer for all Leadership Academy attendees, Academy Alumni and SMDRA Leadership. Attendees are encouraged to meet current leadership and alumni to pick the person they’d like to have as their mentor throughout the academy.
2. Principles of Leadership – Thursday, January 4^th from 9 AM – 12 PM @ SMDRA – Noted Performance Coach, Business Strategist and Ninja Instructor Clara Capano will teach the principles of basic leadership skills while highlighting tips and tools of successful leaders. This interactive class will entertain as well as educate through multimedia, class interaction, and participation.
3. Morning with the Chamber – Friday, January 19^th from 7 AM – 10:30 AM @ CU South Denver in Lone Tree – Leadership Academy members will attend the South Metro Chamber of Commerce’s annual Economic Forecast Breakfast, widely acknowledged as one of the area’s premier economic forecast meetings with business leaders from around the metro area. Afterwards, the class will meet privately with Chamber leaders to learn of the Chamber’s role in supporting business and the relationship between the Chamber and SMDRA.
4. REALTOR® Advocacy Day – Thursday, February 8^th tentatively 9 AM – 4 PM @ Downtown Denver/Colorado State Capitol – Classmates will attend a private session highlighting advocacy as one of the core services of our value proposition with members. Then, we’ll attend CAR’s REALTOR® Day at the Capitol, meeting state elected officials and REALTORS® from around the state who focus on preserving our industry’s political future.
5. Interactive and Team Building Day – Thursday, February 22^nd from 1 – 6 PM @ TBD – Classmates will interact and work together to build teamwork and leadership skills in a light hearted day designed to bring the class closer together. No unusual physical skills or strenuous activity is involved in the team building day. Wear comfy clothes and be ready to have a little fun!

6. SMDRA Behind the Curtain Part One – Tuesday, March 13^th from12 PM – 4 PM @ SMDRA Classmates will attend New Member Orientation to get a refresher course in the tools, products, and services SMDRA provides for REALTORS®. Then, SMDRA leadership and staff will lead an interactive discussion on how the association delivers on the Value Proposition to our members through BOD activity, committee work, strategic thinking and management strategies
7. SMDRA Behind the Curtain Part Two – Thursday, March 15^th from 8:30 AM – 11 AM @ SMDRA – Academy attendees will participate in an interactive Board of Directors meeting at SMDRA. You’ll sit shoulder to shoulder with SMDRA Directors and be privy to an inside look at how decisions get made by the SMDRA BOD. Leadership Academy attendees will be allowed to ask questions about procedure and subject matter, but won’t be able to debate or vote on BOD matters.
8. Managing Meetings and Personalities – Wednesday, March 28^th from 9 AM – 12 PM @ SMDRA – Alumni from past SMDRA Leadership Academies will lead a discussion on how they’ve applied what they’ve learned into leadership positions at SMDRA. The class will focus on dealing with different personalities in meetings, keeping meetings on track, building your local professional network through the Leadership Academy and other valuable tools for future success.
9. Service Day – 2018 Diamond Circle Awards – Friday, April 6^th time and location TBD Leadership Academy attendees will assist in the day-of logistics and set up for our annual Diamond Circle awards. More details will be released as the event approaches
10. Leadership and Public Speaking – Thursday, April 12^th from 1 PM – 4 PM @ SMDRA – Back by popular demand, REALTOR® and local TV news personality Lane Lyon will teach his class to assist attendees in their public presence. Lane’s class covers speaking in public, representing SMDRA in the public eye, and improving your online and video presence to help grow your business and your brand. This class is annually one of our most popular sessions of the Leadership Academy!
11. Graduation Luncheon and Celebration – Thursday, April 19^th from 12 PM – 2:30 PM @ TBD The South Metro Denver REALTOR Association will honor it’s 2018 Leadership Academy Graduates with a celebratory luncheon. The location is yet to be determined but we’ll send the 2018 class off in style and celebrate your success!

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.