Madeleine and Norman York, principals of York Career Development, Inc, founded the Leadership Forum in 2003, with the objective of convening a monthly meeting in which local leaders would share their practical experiences with others who might utilize the information in their efforts to empower and motivate colleagues and employees.   After the first few months, the founders realized that the potential of their effort would be enhanced if they created an independent organization with a self-perpetuating Board of Directors. Because of the heterogeneous make-up of attendees, the Board sees no present need to require a membership.  While people attend for a variety of reasons, the core of the group is interested in the material that is presented either individually or by panels that will increase their leadership effectiveness as they address the divergent needs of a transitory workforce.

Our plan is to meet monthly and to have speakers, who provide the foundation of leadership, alternate with panels who will share their experience in applying the principles within their own organizations. Through these activities, we believe we can convey the timeliness of helping managers develop the understandings and skills needed to recruit, develop and retain high quality employees who, understanding the realities of the changing workplace, will no longer respond to command and control management styles.