Presenter: Karen Carswell Kirk

Advanced Academy - April 5, 2022

Overcoming the Change Challenge

Facilitated by: Karen Carswell Kirk

Over the last few years, we have experienced something new and constant: change. If you feel overwhelmed by change, you have something in common with most of the population. Change is scary; and even scarier when we don’t understand what needs to change. Workplace struggles are commonly rooted in change, whether the issue lies with implementing new policies, changes in roles, or any vast number of other internal elements. While change can often be positive, it can also negatively manifest itself. The bottom line is that change, in and of itself, creates tension and it takes commitment and dedication to get through it.

At this year’s CCAC Conference, Karen Carswell Kirk will ask us to confront this tension with her session, “Overcoming the Change Challenge”. Karen Kirk has over 25 years of experience, advising presidents, CEO’s, directors, managers and their teams throughout the United States and Canada. She has also developed numerous customized professional training programs, keynotes and retreats; facilitated strategic planning processes; developed and refined corporate visions. Her diverse experiences in executive management and human development give her a firm foundation in creating unique people solutions within the business environment.

Presenter: Facilitator: Ed Tywoniak, Book: “Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck

Athenian Dialogue – April 5, 2022

Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Facilitated by Ed Tywoniak, Ph.D.                   

Muscles aching to work, minds aching to create.

John Steinbeck’s riveting depiction of migrant farmers during the Great Depression in his 1939 novel “Grapes of Wrath” is the focus of this year’s CCAC Conference Athenian Dialogue facilitated by Dr. Ed Tywoniak. The premise of the Athenian Leadership Dialogue is the idea that Municipal Clerks are leaders in very profound yet subtle ways, as seen with Steinbeck’s characters Tom Joad and Jim Casy.

Participants devote 6 hours to a Dialogue and come away intellectually enriched by this communication experience. The interest and involvement of the participants, as well as the author's specific focus and emphasis, require that the Dr. Tywoniack move with purpose using the language of meaning, feeling, and power.

Dr. Ed Tywoniak has recently retired after a forty year career in education. He was an Associate Professor of Communication and Chair of the department of Communication at Saint Mary’s College of California where he has served on the faculty in the School of Liberal Arts for over 30 years.  Prof. Tywoniak also held the position of Faculty Fellow for Curriculum and Technology, and Senior Research Fellow and Director of the W. M. Keck Digital Culture Research Lab.

Participants can also obtain points towards their CMC and MMC certification.