History
Twenty Years and More to Come
It began with a seminar. Planned by home economics leaders in Cooperative Extension, they took an idea that was first discussed in 1987 at the National Extension Homemaker's Association annual meeting and with the financial support of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and the Southern Rural Development Center, the first Extension Leadership Development Seminar: Empowering Adults As Leaders Through Home Economics Programs was held on July 10, 1988 in Charlotte, NC.
Although many Home Economics Extension faculty delivered leadership development programs in their various states, the opportunity for professional development in this field through Cooperative Extension on the national level was minimal. The linkage between the professional practice of leadership development and the research in the field was lacking. In 1980's and '90's Extension Home Economics leadership programs evolved from a major focus on Extension Homemakers to a leadership development focus that included the broader community engaged in identifying needs and resolving issues that impact their lives and communities. Working through the Home Economics subcommittee of the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) and with Home Economics leaders on this subcommittee (Dr. Ava Rodgers, ES-USDA, Dr. Doris Tichenor, University of FL, and Dr. Jennie Kitching, TX A&M University) advocating for the seminar, the proposal for the first Extension Leadership Development seminar was approved.
In the following two years a Leadership Development Seminar was held at the site of the National Extension Homemakers Conference to provide, Extension Home Economics staff attending the NEHC conference and others who might want to attend, a professional development opportunity. These seminars were designed to (a) strengthen the leadership skills of professionals who work to develop leadership capabilities of others and (b) strengthen and broaden the knowledge base which supports research, teaching and extension programs in leadership. The second seminar, Developing Human Capital Through Extension Leadership Programs, was held August 6, 1989 in Manhattan, KS.
By 1990, the seminar had grown to two days and was held August 18-19 in Milwaukee, WI. This seminar was titled, People Problems and Solutions: The Leadership Connection. The planning committee for this seminar again involved Extension faculty, most who were working with Home Economics Programs . However, the target audience for participation expanded to all Extension program areas, Home Economics, 4-H-Youth Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources and Community Development Extension programs, as well as, a small number of individuals interested in leadership but not associated with Cooperative Extension. The 1989 and 1990 seminars were partially funded by the four regional Rural Development Centers. The proceedings of all three Leadership Development Seminars were published.
At the leadership seminar in 1990, members of the planning committee proposed the development of a professional association that would provide opportunities to bridge theory, research and practice in leadership education. Elizabeth Bolton, Marjorie Hamann, Ann Hancook, Tom Mounter, Hariett Moyer, Katey Walker and Lynn White, founding mothers and Tom, as they are affectionately known, laid the groundwork and facilitated the discussion leading to the participant's vote to form The Association of Leadership Educators. Participants in the 1990 conference had the opportunity to become Charter members of ALE by paying dues of $25. This persistent group was determined that ALE would succeed. Their vision was for a professional association that focused on leadership education, linked theory to practice, disseminated research and provided professional development opportunities for anyone engaged in leadership education, both formal and non-formal.
In 1991 the first annual meeting of ALE was held in Denver, CO with Elizabeth Bolton serving as President. Obviously there was widespread interest in a professional association linking theory and practice for leadership development, for at the first meeting there were over 40 presenters representing 20 states.
At the 1992 meeting in Orlando, FL, Ann Hancook served as President and guided the members as they ironed out and approved vision and mission statements that serve the Association today. Although there were differing opinions and at times some even thought the divisions were too wide for one association to represent them all, it was the tenacity, drive and personal commitment of the founding mothers and Tom that this organization would succeed which led to the establishment of ALE with a vision to be the premier international professional organization for leadership educators.
ALE has continued to grow and expand. In 2002, the Journal of Leadership Education was launched. An electronic peer-reviewed journal, it provides a forum for linking research to practice and is intended to promote a dialogue that engages both academics and practitioners. Issues of the Journal of Leadership Education contain Research and Theory Features, Idea and Application Briefs, as well a Commentary category for readers to share their views and thoughts about leadership education and to promote discussion. Tom Gallager was the first editor of the Journal. In 2003 Christine Townsend assumed the role of editor and she continues in this position today. She also serves as a link with the Board of Directors and works with guest editors for special issues.
As we celebrate our accomplishments as a professional association, we look forward to the future. A strong foundation of leadership has brought us to this point and certainly with the vision and unwavering dedication of the early leaders, ALE will continue to grow and expand as it engages members in fulfilling the mission to strengthen and sustain the expertise of professional leadership educators.
The history of The Association of Leadership Educators, Inc. (ALE) grew out of a need for professional development of persons who work with leadership programs. The Association developed as a result of three successful annual Leadership Development Seminars. A key meeting of the Leadership Development Seminar was August 6, 1989 in Manhattan, Kansas where participants recognized the need for information sharing regarding leadership research, teaching, and practice. ALE was formalized at the third seminar held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 17-18, 1990. The first official ALE conference and annual meeting was held in Denver, Colorado on September 13-14, 1991.
Membership is be open to any individual whose career interest is leadership education. ALE is a growing international professional organization with membership in several foreign countries.
Updated July, 2008 Martha Nall, Wanda Sykes, and Robin Orr
Elizabeth B. Bolton, Chair, University of FL, Sue Bodkin, New Mexico State University, Majorie Hamman, North Dakota State University, Ann Hancook, Purdue university and Tom Mounter, Clemson University.
Bolton, Elizabeth B. (1988) Proceedingds of the extension leadership development seminar: empowering adults as leaders through home economics programs. University of FL:Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences, viii.
Bolton, Elizabeth B., editor. (1990) Proceedings of the leadership development seminar: developing human capital through extension leadership programs. Southern Rural Development Center & University of FL Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences publishers, vii. Elizabeth B. Bolton, Chair, University of FL, Marjorie Hamann, North Dakota State University, Ann Hancook, Purdue University, Tom Mounter, Clemson University, Harriett Moyer, University of WI, Katey Walker, Kansas State University and Lynn White, Texas A&M University.
It began with a seminar. Planned by home economics leaders in Cooperative Extension, they took an idea that was first discussed in 1987 at the National Extension Homemaker's Association annual meeting and with the financial support of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and the Southern Rural Development Center, the first Extension Leadership Development Seminar: Empowering Adults As Leaders Through Home Economics Programs was held on July 10, 1988 in Charlotte, NC.
Although many Home Economics Extension faculty delivered leadership development programs in their various states, the opportunity for professional development in this field through Cooperative Extension on the national level was minimal. The linkage between the professional practice of leadership development and the research in the field was lacking. In 1980's and '90's Extension Home Economics leadership programs evolved from a major focus on Extension Homemakers to a leadership development focus that included the broader community engaged in identifying needs and resolving issues that impact their lives and communities. Working through the Home Economics subcommittee of the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) and with Home Economics leaders on this subcommittee (Dr. Ava Rodgers, ES-USDA, Dr. Doris Tichenor, University of FL, and Dr. Jennie Kitching, TX A&M University) advocating for the seminar, the proposal for the first Extension Leadership Development seminar was approved.
In the following two years a Leadership Development Seminar was held at the site of the National Extension Homemakers Conference to provide, Extension Home Economics staff attending the NEHC conference and others who might want to attend, a professional development opportunity. These seminars were designed to (a) strengthen the leadership skills of professionals who work to develop leadership capabilities of others and (b) strengthen and broaden the knowledge base which supports research, teaching and extension programs in leadership. The second seminar, Developing Human Capital Through Extension Leadership Programs, was held August 6, 1989 in Manhattan, KS.
By 1990, the seminar had grown to two days and was held August 18-19 in Milwaukee, WI. This seminar was titled, People Problems and Solutions: The Leadership Connection. The planning committee for this seminar again involved Extension faculty, most who were working with Home Economics Programs . However, the target audience for participation expanded to all Extension program areas, Home Economics, 4-H-Youth Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources and Community Development Extension programs, as well as, a small number of individuals interested in leadership but not associated with Cooperative Extension. The 1989 and 1990 seminars were partially funded by the four regional Rural Development Centers. The proceedings of all three Leadership Development Seminars were published.
At the leadership seminar in 1990, members of the planning committee proposed the development of a professional association that would provide opportunities to bridge theory, research and practice in leadership education. Elizabeth Bolton, Marjorie Hamann, Ann Hancook, Tom Mounter, Hariett Moyer, Katey Walker and Lynn White, founding mothers and Tom, as they are affectionately known, laid the groundwork and facilitated the discussion leading to the participant's vote to form The Association of Leadership Educators. Participants in the 1990 conference had the opportunity to become Charter members of ALE by paying dues of $25. This persistent group was determined that ALE would succeed. Their vision was for a professional association that focused on leadership education, linked theory to practice, disseminated research and provided professional development opportunities for anyone engaged in leadership education, both formal and non-formal.
In 1991 the first annual meeting of ALE was held in Denver, CO with Elizabeth Bolton serving as President. Obviously there was widespread interest in a professional association linking theory and practice for leadership development, for at the first meeting there were over 40 presenters representing 20 states.
At the 1992 meeting in Orlando, FL, Ann Hancook served as President and guided the members as they ironed out and approved vision and mission statements that serve the Association today. Although there were differing opinions and at times some even thought the divisions were too wide for one association to represent them all, it was the tenacity, drive and personal commitment of the founding mothers and Tom that this organization would succeed which led to the establishment of ALE with a vision to be the premier international professional organization for leadership educators.
ALE has continued to grow and expand. In 2002, the Journal of Leadership Education was launched. An electronic peer-reviewed journal, it provides a forum for linking research to practice and is intended to promote a dialogue that engages both academics and practitioners. Issues of the Journal of Leadership Education contain Research and Theory Features, Idea and Application Briefs, as well a Commentary category for readers to share their views and thoughts about leadership education and to promote discussion. Tom Gallager was the first editor of the Journal. In 2003 Christine Townsend assumed the role of editor and she continues in this position today. She also serves as a link with the Board of Directors and works with guest editors for special issues.
As we celebrate our accomplishments as a professional association, we look forward to the future. A strong foundation of leadership has brought us to this point and certainly with the vision and unwavering dedication of the early leaders, ALE will continue to grow and expand as it engages members in fulfilling the mission to strengthen and sustain the expertise of professional leadership educators.
The history of The Association of Leadership Educators, Inc. (ALE) grew out of a need for professional development of persons who work with leadership programs. The Association developed as a result of three successful annual Leadership Development Seminars. A key meeting of the Leadership Development Seminar was August 6, 1989 in Manhattan, Kansas where participants recognized the need for information sharing regarding leadership research, teaching, and practice. ALE was formalized at the third seminar held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 17-18, 1990. The first official ALE conference and annual meeting was held in Denver, Colorado on September 13-14, 1991.
Membership is be open to any individual whose career interest is leadership education. ALE is a growing international professional organization with membership in several foreign countries.
Updated July, 2008 Martha Nall, Wanda Sykes, and Robin Orr
Elizabeth B. Bolton, Chair, University of FL, Sue Bodkin, New Mexico State University, Majorie Hamman, North Dakota State University, Ann Hancook, Purdue university and Tom Mounter, Clemson University.
Bolton, Elizabeth B. (1988) Proceedingds of the extension leadership development seminar: empowering adults as leaders through home economics programs. University of FL:Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences, viii.
Bolton, Elizabeth B., editor. (1990) Proceedings of the leadership development seminar: developing human capital through extension leadership programs. Southern Rural Development Center & University of FL Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences publishers, vii. Elizabeth B. Bolton, Chair, University of FL, Marjorie Hamann, North Dakota State University, Ann Hancook, Purdue University, Tom Mounter, Clemson University, Harriett Moyer, University of WI, Katey Walker, Kansas State University and Lynn White, Texas A&M University.