This update for December through to April summarises the activities of NZRLT which is the operational arm of both Nuffield and Kellogg programmes.
With the recruitment period for 2020 Nuffield scholars and the 2020 Kellogg programmes about to kick off, word of mouth and encouragement from those who have completed the programmes are still the prime drivers of quality and diverse applicants so we hope you will all take time to approach some emerging leaders and encourage them to apply for these life changing experiences.
The 2019 scholars announced in the November E Nuff are well into their programme having undertaken a two day NZ briefing in early December which enabled the group to bond, be briefed by industry and government on global activities and priorities and put into practice some of the research and reflection tools provided by Hamish Gow at their November orientation.
In January the group opted to do a 1.5-day leadership workshop with the Course 39 ‘Kelloggers’ providing further tools and new understanding of their own and others leadership styles and how to operate as a team. The combined tools were well utilised at the Contemporary Scholars Conference where the NZ scholars were sharing and coaching other international scholars on these tools.
This April E Nuff provides the five scholar reflections on their CSC experience and the 5-day tour & business visits the group undertook between Chicago and Des Moines in Iowa which was the location for the 2019 CSC.
Meanwhile the 2018 scholars reports are just released after scholars spent the summer working on their draft and incorporating the feedback received. There is a lot of industry interest in the reports with requests for copies and speakers at industry events. As mentioned by Andrew, we are looking at how we leverage these leading insights and learnings together with our alumni to start making a difference.
Nuffield2020 is a huge undertaking for the organisation and the hardworking committee with four events over 11 days. It will be vital that NZ alumni support this event as country hosts but also in generating interest by encouraging year cohorts and GFP groups to combine the event with a group reunion but the invites and suggestions need to get out now!.
Having just attended the two day Grow 2019 Boma conference in Christchurch, with a few of our organising committee we have reflected on the content and focus of the one day Summit as a key component of Nuffield2020, and particularly ways to to differentiate it from other industry conferences. With the event open to Kellogg alumni and industry it is an opportunity to gain greater exposure for NuffieldNZ.
The website has just been updated with more details on the different events under Nuffield2020 so check out on https://www.nuffield2020.com/
Noting other NZRLT activities, The Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme continues to attract high quality applicants and deliver great networks, friendships and leadership skills on farm and in industry forums and businesses. It is great to see the Kellogg alumni now in government (5 in total) and their willingness along with Minister O’Connor to share experiences with the group.
In June, the 40th course of Kelloggers will be welcomed onto the programme and this is a major milestone for the programme. The cohort will receive different content to those who undertook the first programme in 1979, reflecting the new leadership environment and skills needed but the fundamental principles of the programme remain the same.
On the management front, in May we regretfully farewell Clara Sweetman who has been our Marketing and Comms Contractor for the last 12 months as her family move to Auckland. We are actively recruiting a replacement for the role along with a newly created Event/Project Coordinator role to help with regional seminars etc.
With the NZRLT financial year running between 1 April & 31 March we are just wrapping up the 2018-19 year financials and the Board & I have been reviewing our strategy and new alumni initiatives as we plan for the next twelve months.
