On Friday, January 16th, 2009 join us for a presentation by Tom Spencer, on the topic: “Real Hope, Real Progress: Moving Beyond Despair.”
Our mission is to elevate the role of leadership in the lives of the citizens of Central Texas; to focus on the vitality and necessity of regional leadership capital; and to serve others through the process of encouraging individuals to grow, prosper and make a significant difference through the practice of leadership skills.
Tom Spencer is the CEO of Austin Area Interreligious Ministries (AAIM). AAIM unites faith and cultural communities to foster mutual respect in service of the common good. Prior to being hired by AAIM in 2008, Spencer served as a Host and Producer for KLRU-TV, Austin’s Public Television station for over twenty-five years.
Employed by KLRU from 1982 - 2008, Spencer served as a manager and producer of local and statewide public affairs programs, nationally distributed documentaries on art and architecture, and a wide variety of special projects. Throughout his association with KLRU he has also served as the primary host for the station's local programming.
Spencer has won many awards and honors for his work on television. A singular honor came in 1994 when he was appointed to a select task force by the President of PBS to reshape public affairs programming for the national system. More recently, his documentary, The Painted Churches of Texas: Echoes of the Homeland won the National Educational Television Association’s award for Historical Documentary of the Year (2001.) In 2003 the Austin Chronicle named Austin Now as “Austin’s Best New Television Program” as a part of its annual “Best of Austin Awards” issue and in 2004 Spencer was chosen as “Best TV Moderator” by the same publication.
Since 1983, Spencer has also produced and hosted a weekly radio program on gardening for KLBJ-AM. He is the author of numerous articles and columns on gardening and landscape design. His work has appeared in a variety of publications including: The Good Life, Domain Magazine, The Austin Chronicle, and The Austin American-Statesman. He also currently hosts the Central Texas Gardener, a weekly gardening program presented by KLRU. An accomplished photographer, his work has appeared in galleries and has been published along with his written work.
His current projects include the internationally popular website: www.soulofthegarden.com winner of the first ever “Mouse and Trowel” award as the “Gardening Website of the Year” for 2007.
In his work with AAIM, Spencer is attempting to create a national model for inter-faith dialogue and empathy that is based on the simple premise of doing good – together.
The breakfast will be held from 7:30 until 9:00 a.m. on Friday, January 16th, at the Austin Club. The Austin Club is located on the north side of 9th Street between Congress and Brazos. The cost is $20.00 per person. Reservations are required. To register go to www.theaustinleadershipforum.com. Registration closes on Wednesday, January 14th at 6:00p.m. Please don’t delay.
Special Notes:
1. You may pay $200 for the year, if you do so, or indicate your intent to do so, before the January event. To take advantage of this $40 saving, please notify Dawn Sanders,
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. If you pay for the year, you must notify Dawn that you, or someone you designate, will attend each month in order that we provide the Austin Club with the expected number of attendees.
2. Individuals or organizations may now sponsor a table of eight for one or more forums for $200 per event. Coming speakers include, Dr. Pat Fergione for February, a special healthcare panel for March and Dr. Denise Trauth for April.
