Linda Garrett and Dr. Patricia Scott instruct participants on delivering persuasive speeches and messages in public, focusing on the content and style of speaking to audiences. After this initial instruction, participants present short speeches they composed for the class. After everyone has presented, Ms. Garrett and Dr. Scott provide participants with constructive feedback, giving tips for improving speaking skills and encouraging the positive speaking habits shown by participants.
Mais Abousy, Esq. conducts meetings with each participant to understand their personal goals and challenges. She then provides individualized feedback to help participants develop their own leadership styles and achieve their goals, taking into account their personal strengths and circumstances.
Dr. David Campbell and Mais Abousy leads the participants in multiple exercises to highlight their respective and collective similarities and differences. Campbell concludes with an exercise in which the participants list 20 things they liked to do, and use this list to create three goals to achieve by January 2011.
Dr. David Campbell asks participants to pick four postcards from his extensive collection: two of groups they would like to spend a week with, and two of groups they would not. He uses this exercise to demonstrate the power – and inaccuracy – of preconceived notions based purely on outward appearance.
Dean Leary Davis and Dr. David Campbell use the “Hollow Square” activity, a team-building exercise where ideally, groups of planners and implementers work together and are part of a joint process from the beginning. However, often groups fall victim to self-imposed limitations and try to complete the activity separately, with less success. The exercise emphasizes the importance of including implementers in the planning process, and how to navigate away from imposing limitations or restrictions upon themselves or others that do not actually exist.
Dr. David Campbell discusses how to use the results of the Campbell Interest and Skills Survey in making career choices, as well as the importance, in any field, of academic focus and professional skills.
Mais Abousy, Esq. leads participants in a structured debate on issues they have discussed during the program. During these simulations participants must quickly absorb information, develop persuasive arguments, and work in a team to deliver a coherent and compelling message. After the exercise, Ms. Abousy provides feedback on participants’ performances. She concludes by discussing what lessons about leadership, public speaking, and teamwork participants can learn from the exercise.
Mais Abousy, Esq. uses public polls and an informal class survey to spark discussion on participants’ perceptions of public opinion about Muslim women, and actual public opinion about Muslim women both inside and outside the Muslim community. During discussions, participants focus on the barriers that Muslim women face and are encouraged to provide practical solutions to “breaking the glass ceiling”. Participants are encouraged to speak about their experiences and discuss how they can work together to address misperceptions both within and without their communities.