Participants of the FAITH Endowment’s Executive Training Program Identify Solutions to Meet Parish and Community Needs

From developing youth mentorship programs for the Greek Orthodox community to outfitting parishes with solar panels, 25 clergy and laity from the Metropolis of Boston gathered in late May to identify solutions to meet vital needs within their communities as part of FAITH’s “Executive Education Program in Strategic Leadership and Transformative Acton (SLTA).”

In partnership with The Fletcher School at Tufts University, FAITH launched the SLTA program in 2020 to equip clergy and laity with a foundational set of technical, intellectual and spiritual tools and ideas for strategic management and leadership that can produce transformative action within the Greek Orthodox community. FAITH was pleased to once again offer its premiere executive training program—the first of its kind in the Greek Orthodox community—to participants from the Metropolis of Boston May 24-28, 2021, following the success and ongoing impact of the 2020 pilot class from the Metropolis of Chicago.

Over the course of the five-day program, participants engaged in a series of virtual seminars, workshops and customized lectures on topics such as financial planning, leadership strategy, communication and conflict resolution. The SLTA program was developed and led by Professor Elizabeth Prodromou, the Faculty Director of Fletcher’s Initiative on Religion, Law, and Diplomacy in collaboration with the Office of Executive Education. Guided by a cohort of Fletcher’s prestigious faculty and leading experts in non-profit and faith-based organizations, participants discussed best practices, challenges and opportunities for growth in service within their parishes and communities.

As part of the application process, each participant was asked to present an impact project to be developed and implemented in their communities upon completion of the program, employing the practices and tools they learned while refining the projects throughout the week.

“The impact projects reflected the fullness of Orthodox teachings and practices; when designed and purposed with the practical skills and specialized expertise shared with The Fletcher School’s world class faculty, the impact projects will allow the Greek Orthodox community to make meaningful, measurable step in transforming the world around us. I am excited to be working with FAITH in maximizing the synergies between FAITH’s mission and the unique design of the SLTA Program at Fletcher, and I appreciate and congratulate FAITH for their vision and support,” Professor Elizabeth Prodromou explains.

Projects proposed by the 2021 Metropolis of Boston SLTA cohort include the Thriving Parishes initiative, providing a year of “Philoxenia” hospitality, faith-based and educational support programs for the opioid crisis within the Greek community, expanding the Orthodox Volunteer Corps, developing a young adult mentorship program and youth Byzantine choir school, several green/eco-friendly initiatives and equipping parishes and clergy with the tools to support those facing mental health struggles.

“The SLTA Program was indeed a most edifying experience for the clergy and lay participants from throughout the Metropolis of Boston. The Fletcher School faculty had a great impact on our community as it seeks to serve and transform the world in which we live. We are all grateful to the FAITH Endowment for their visionary leadership and support,” Metropolitan Methodios of Boston reflects.

Kyra Limberakis, 2021 SLTA program participant and director of Hellenic College’s CrossRoad Summer Institute, is developing the Orthodox Volunteer Corps. She shares, “SLTA was the most comprehensive and practical leadership training I've experienced thus far in my professional development. It covered critical topics leaders face on a daily basis and provided us with the resources to effectively manage them so that positive transforma􀆟on can occur. Digging into issues of conflict resolution, communication, engaging stakeholders, and measuring impact with top notch professors and having the space to reflect on them with a cohort of other Orthodox leaders made for an incredibly supportive and inspiring learning environment. I highly encourage anyone who wants to grow as a leader and spark transforma􀆟on in their communities to apply to SLTA. It has given me the tools to propel Orthodox Volunteer Corps into reality and I see it contributing significantly to the successful launch of OVC both nationally and in Boston.”

Impact projects developed by the 2020 SLTA Metropolis of Chicago cohort have sustained far-reaching growth since their implementation. Project HOPE, which supports children, families and local networks achieve food security, has provided meals to over 50,000 people in the Chicago area within its first year of opera􀆟on. Strengthen Stewardship Now supports over 14 parishes with resources and tools to increase greater stewardship participation and decrease reliance on episodic fundraising events, and the Order of the Myrrhbearing Women partners with 12 other parish leaders to recognize and promote the individual and collective voices of women and women's organizations in the Church by empowering them to create and sustain new ministries.