SERVICES FOR YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS AND TEACHERS
Group Dynamic Workshops
Most workshops are a six to eight hour program day; this would include leadership training, community building (and training in how to lead community building), and goal-setting. Each participant receives a customized handout booklet. The time commitment can be shorter, but less than three hours is discouraged, as we need enough time together to make sure that there will be a measurable impact weeks and months later.
Groups have done from as little as three hours to as much as two days, and some groups schedule follow-up sessions later the same year to reinforce concepts and assess and redirect progress. Part of what you get when you schedule a Group Dynamic workshop is a lifetime commitment that I will be just a phone call away to talk through any issues your group may have.
Leadership Training
Too often, people associate leadership with titles. A Group Dynamic workshop can move your officers, potential officers, or general membership to a broader sense of leadership.
Through story, discussion, and activity, participants will discover the greatest form of leadership: servant leadership. Techniques of motivation, team building, and working well with others can also be explored.
Community Building
Groups work together better when they feel a strong sense of community. Through guided activity and involvement, your members can move closer to each other and develop a deeper understanding of group dynamics. In the process, they will become more comfortable, more candid, and more cohesive.
Organizational Development
All kinds of organizations experience a “slowdown” from time to time. If you wonder why your group seems to be accomplishing less, bickering more, or losing momentum, we will find the answers. With hands-on activities and candid discussions, your group will explore tough questions, focus on its potential, and leave with a concrete action plan for the future.
Staff Development
After teaching for 19 years, I know how valuable time is when we have to come together for professional development. I have worked with teachers on servant leadership in the classroom, communication skills that lead to greater student cooperation, and strategic planning and priority-setting. That content can be tied to state standard and district initiatives/goals in order to demonstrate relevance to your administrators, board, or curriculum director.
Performance Group Clinics
As a former band director, rehearsing groups, diagnosing groups, and setting a course for mapping out the group’s potential are all possible. I’d love to come work with you and your marching band, jazz band, concert band, or musical.
What people say:
“The real test of any leadership presenter comes when they stand in front of their own group. There is no place to hide who you really are and what you truly stand for. In my dealings with Alan Feirer and the Winterset Band program I have found a place where belief systems and daily practice align to create a special learning environment. Alan’s unique presentation style and warm persona make him a natural with kids and adults alike. If you are looking for a trainer who understands both performance and personal standards, Alan is your man!”
– Scott Lang; Scott Lang Leadership Seminars
“Throughout the workshop, Alan showed enthusiasm and energy for the topic of leadership. Alan used a nice mix of stories, humor, and activities to help students understand the concepts he was trying to teach. This really helped the students connect with him and the content he was teaching. Rarely do I see speakers connect with their audience in the way Alan is able to; students and directors feel comfortable discussing issues and putting their own personalities out there to be examined. That is a true testament to how great a presenter, teacher, and person people will find in Alan Feirer.
“Almost a month after our Leadership Workshop, I can see huge differences in how our students are acting and rehearsing. I constantly see my students using the techniques Alan taught in regards to keeping students on task. My student leaders seem much more at ease in their jobs and are connecting with the other students in a much more positive way. Students are really taking “leading by example” to heart after the workshop. I also find myself refreshed on the techniques and more energized to keep the year going. Alan is a true expert in the field of student leadership in music programs. I highly recommend him as a presenter, teacher, and person!”
– Eric Mohlis, Underwood High School
“Mr. Feirer is what I consider an expert in the field of team building and organizational leadership. During his visit he helped me understand that many of the things that were causing stress were things that could be easily fixed by developing some student leadership and tweaking some personal organizational skills. He helped guide us through some small group discussions to come up with a plan for improvement. He also helped us to understand that we are no different than any other band program and that we have a lot going for us. By the end of the day we had elected a band council and we were excited about the future.”
– David Lang; Independence High School
“Alan came into our group having been given nearly impossible objectives and limited time to accomplish the goals, but adapted quite impressively to make things fit with our challenging schedule. He was able to teach our kids many new skills and tactics that continued to be used throughout the season. I was particularly impressed with the dynamic leadership he employed in leading our re-affirmation of our mission statement. He was able to draw consensus from a very diverse group of people.”
– Greg Orwoll; Director, Colts Drum and Bugle Corps
“I admire the amount of respect Alan Feirer shows toward his students and toward the ministry of teaching our youth. It is refreshing to be around someone who looks for the good in everything and not just the bad. He is patient, tolerant, and always finds the kind and constructive way to tell students — or me — when something is not right.”
– Chris McCurdy; Percussion Instructor
“Mr. Feirer was positive and upbeat in front of a crowd of hundreds of young people – he didn’t even need a microphone to control the crowd! I’ve seen Alan relate well to kids, keep moods positive in tough situations, and ease students into new experiences. I recommend him highly.”
– Dr. Morgan Jones; Faculty Emeritus, Univ. of Iowa
“Our youth group will always be indebted to Alan Feirer for the work he did with us in building a mission statement. With great and positive energy Mr. Feirer led our group to determine new directions in our youth ministry. Mr. Feirer led us to dream new dreams and guided us in ways to realize them. I would highly recommend Mr. Feirer to help any youth group to build a new foundation for youth ministry.”
– The Reverend John H. Sorenson; Pastor, St. John Lutheran Church, Sumner
“Mr. Alan Feirer has been on staff with Iowa American Legion Boys State for many years and I find him to be very comfortable no matter where we ask him to help. We have asked him to fill in at the last minute for a speaker who did not show up and he handled that with ease and very professionally. This was a program for the whole group of 800 boys.”
– Dennis Hanna; Director, American Legion Hawkeye Boys State
“Alan – thank you for your work with our junior high students last week… you do a really nice job of teaching them how to relate, reach out, and listen. Thanks!!”
– Chris Madison; Teacher, Winterset Junior High School
Instrumental Music Teaching Experience
- Guttenberg Community School District, Grades 5-12, 1991 to 1995
- Sumner Community School District, Grades 5-12, 1995 to 1999
- Selected as Class 1-A Honor Band by Iowa Bandmasters Association in 1997
- Winterset Community School District, Grades 9-12, 1999 to 2010
- Invited to perform at State Football Championships in 2008
- Selected as Class 3-A Honor Band by Iowa Bandmasters Association in 2009
- Five trips to Iowa Jazz Championships, 2005 to 2009
Other Experience
- Staff member of American Legion “Hawkeye” Boys State since 1994
- Advisor and Lime Coach Coordinator for Iowa’s Ambassadors of Music European Tour since 1996
- Co-Chair of Iowa Jazz Championships since 2003
- Guest director for Southwest Iowa District Honor Band, South Central Iowa District Junior High Honor Band, Buena Vista University Honor Band, Meistersinger Honor Band, Lenox Junior High Honor Band, and several conference honor bands.