Institute Programs
To support its goal of increasing the number of women in government-policy- making positions, the Institute sponsors programs to provide individuals with the tools they need to be successful. Workshops focus on skill building for greater effectiveness (leadership skills, communication skills, networking, etc...) as well as topics that help individuals understand the process of seeking and capitalizing on opportunities to influence public policy. Brief descriptions of past programs are listed below. Programs of the Sue Shear Institute are open to participants regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, religion or political party affiliation. Information on upcoming events will be posted on this site regularly. If you have any specific questions about the programs listed, please contact the Institute at 314-516-4727.
"Pipeline to Public Office" is a two-day workshop offered to help individuals enter the "pipeline" to public office. A training class for candidates and campaign workers, Pipeline addresses topics such as:
- Making the Decision to Run
- Pulling Together a Winning Campaign Plan and
- Raising the Funds You'll Need to Win.
Faculty for the program include Democratic and Republican women officeholders and women who have managed successful political campaigns.
Candidate Training Workshops
In addition to the Pipeline to Public Office program, the Institute hosts campaign training workshops offering detailed instruction and tips for running successful campaigns. Led by women who have successfully campaigned for office and experienced campaign workers, the workshops provide candidates with concrete suggestions for successful campaign planning, fund raising, canvassing, voter targeting, and other related issues. The "Pipeline to Local Office" campaign workshop is offered each spring for municipal candidates, and "Pipeline to Legislative Office" is offered in May of election years for candidates facing primary opposition in races for the State Legislature. An advanced campaign skills workshop is offered in August of election years to help candidates prepare for general election contests. Candidates are encouraged to bring a team of campaign workers. Individuals interested in learning more about political campaigns are invited to participate as well.
Nearly 50 percent of the candidates who have participated in Institute campaign workshops have gone on to win their elections. Distinguished alumni of the workshops include:
Judy Baker, State Representative '04
Susan Baker, Wildwood City Council
'01
Gerry Biedenstein, Kirkwood City Council '08
Rashda "Sonny" Buttar,
Clayton School Board '05
Helen Casteel, Parkway School Board '06
Maria Chappelle-Nadal, State Representative '04
Caroline Chrisman, Kirksville City Council '09
Vicki Englund, State Representative '08
Hazel Erby, St. Louis County
Council '04
Sally Faith, State Representative '04
Joan Esserman, Webster Groves City Council '06
Kathlyn
Fares, State Representative '00
Margaret Faul, Ferguson City Council '06
Barbara Fraser, State Representative '98
Pam Fogarty, Mayor of Dardenne Prairie '03
Camille Greenwald, Richmond Heights City Council '04
Krystal Hargis, Jefferson College
Board of Trustees '01
Nancy Hartman, Normandy School Board '05
Cheryl Hermann, Fox C-6 School
Board '00
Gail Holcomb, Wildwood City Council, '99 '01
Barbara Hughes, Town & Country Board of Aldermen '00
Beckie Jacobs, Olivette City Council '00
Gina Jaksetic, Kirkwood City Council '08
Katherine Jepsen, Brentwood Board of Aldermen '04
Connie
Johnson, State Representative '00
Donna Jones, St. Louis School Board '06
Tishaura Jones, State Representative '08
Connie Karr, Kirkwood City Council '02
Mary Kennedy, Board of Directors, Subdistrict 4, Public Water Supply Dist.
1 of Jefferson County '04
Jane Klamer, Clayton School Board '06
Sara Lampe, State Representative '04
Theresa Lynch, Creve Coeur City
Council '03
Audrey Mack, Ladue School Board '03
Jill McCord, Kirksville City Council '06
Joyce McRath, Normandy School Board '09
Dee Mogerman, Parkway School
Board '05
Julie Morgan, Mayor of Rock Hill '06
Donna Morrow, Mayor of O'Fallon,
MO '05
Stacey Newman, State Representative '09
Pat Piotrowicz, Hazelwood City Council '03
Karen Pierre, Greendale City Council '06
Andrew Podleski, Florissant City Council '08
Stephanie Renolds, Valley Park Board of Aldermen '08
Lynn Ricci, University City City Council '07
Debi Salberg, Webster Groves City Council '08
Vicki Schneider, State Representative '02
Ann Schroeder, Franklin County Commissioner '00
Jill Schupp, State Representative '08
Sandy Sobelman, Mayor of Frontenac, '01; Board of Aldermen '00
Ruth Springer, Olivette City Council '05
Kristina Starr, Meramec Valley
School Board '05
Rachel Storch, State Representative '04
Shirley Taylor, Dellwood City Council '06
Anne Tolan, Webster Groves City Council '08
Kacie Starr Triplett, City of St. Louis Board of Aldermen '04
Missy Waldman, Olivette City
Council '00; 01
Juanita Walton, State Representative '00
Karen Webster, Ladue School Board '04
Shelley Welsch, City Council, University City
'02
Connie Williams, Richmond Heights City Council '06
The Inside Scoop on Appointments to Boards and Commissions
"Inside Scoop" is a program designed to give those interested in serving on public boards and commissions an opportunity to hear from the government officials responsible for identifying appropriate appointment candidates. Presenters for previous seminars have included representatives from the Governor's Office and the Mayor's offices in Kansas City and St. Louis.
Faculty members addressed the expectations of board service, how the selection process works, what qualifications are desired, and how public policy is impacted by decisions of boards and commissions.
21st Century Leadership Academy
The 21st Century Leadership Academy is a week-long leadership development program for Missouri college students that emphasizes the role public policy plays in our lives. This residential program is held at the UM-St. Louis Pierre Laclede Honors College and includes daily interactive sessions with women leaders who are currently impacting policy as elected officials, government leaders and policy advocates. Shear Fellows also visit the Missouri State Capitol to meet with state leaders and women involved in the legislative process, and participate in a mock legislative session. The program includes a keynote dinner featuring a well known woman public policy leader. The dinner is open to interested community members.