Mr. Todd Eric Hawkins

ONE VOTE, ONE VOICE

Posted by Mr. Todd Eric Hawkins, Nov 04, 2014 0 comments


Mr. Todd Eric Hawkins

Todd Eric Hawkins Todd Eric Hawkins

I became involved with the Americans for the Arts Emerging Leader Network in order to form stronger relationships with arts leaders on a local and national level. Over the past few years, the network has given me the opportunity to forge vitally important connections, both personally and professionally. In addition, the experience has provided me with the inspiration and tools to develop who I am as a leader.

For the past three years, I have had the privilege of serving on the Emerging Leader Council, a nationally elected body of individuals that advise Americans for the Arts on how best to serve the next generation of arts leaders. As a member, I was honored on multiple occasions to sit around a table with 14 of the most promising arts leaders I have ever met. Their dedication, wisdom, and first-hand knowledge of the struggles facing all of us as we grow as leaders, and their eagerness to find solutions and build a stronger future have been invaluable to my current and future success.

While the onus of advising is on the 15 members of the council, it is up to all of us to make sure that those at the table clearly represent who we are and the issues we face. The current members of the council have spent countless hours dedicated to making the membership a diverse group that represents a cross section of disciplines in a wide range of markets. Their efforts are only limited by the input from those they serve in the Emerging Leader Network. Network members must be engaged in the process in order to strengthen our voice at the table.

Each year the advisory council of Americans for the Arts holds elections to replace council members that have reached the end of their term. Now through Wednesday, November 12th, all Americans for the Arts members have an opportunity to vote for new council members to join the Emerging Leaders, Arts Education, Private Sector, and Public Art councils. Like the Emerging Leaders, the other advisory councils strive to strengthen our collective voice, and our engagement in the process is vital to their success.

As a member of this community, I strongly encourage you to vote. Not only because an engaged constituency leads to greater success, but because many of the issues that we face as organizations and individuals will take a unified effort to solve. New kinds of organizations and new ways of thinking will require a new kind of leader. One that is knowledgeable about the history of our field, armed with best practices and empowered by a support system that is there when we need them the most.

My time working with the Emerging Leader Network has paid off for me because I have been engaged in the process and invested in the future success. My time on the council has proven that the next generation of arts leaders is indeed in good hands and they are eager and ready to lead. Circles rise together and this one is rising quickly. Join the circle, be engaged, and ensure that your voice is represented at the table. Vote today.

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