Ntosake…
…she who walks with lions…
…..she who brings her own
things.
Thursday, September 25 – Saturday, September 27, 2014
Stella Niagara Center for Renewal
4421 Lower River Road
Stella Niagara, New York 14144
Welcome to NTOSAKE!
We’re looking forward to having you at this very special leadership event for women who are serious
about being and acting more powerfully. You should have attended weeklong leadership training or
plan to attend within the next twelve months. You should be coming at the invitation of an organizer or
an Ntosake Woman. This is an official Gamaliel training event, not a girls’ weekend. This is an
important part of your journey in claiming your power as a woman and creating a public life to transform
your community and world!
In order to be prepared for your experience:
 This is a casual event, so dress comfortably.
 Bring a SMALL personal item: a picture, a piece of art, an article of clothing, a piece of
jewelry…..something that has meaning for you as a woman and a developing leader. You will tell
us about it as you introduce yourself (in one sentence.)
 Be prepared to discuss power, self and self-interest, strategic thinking and acting, vision,
 You will receive a journal for note-taking, personal reflection, visioning and planning.
 Please bring your completed Expectation and Sponsorship forms with you.
 KNOW WHAT TRACK YOUR SPONSOR HAS RECOMMENDED YOU ATTEND!
It’s important as women of God to develop a public and powerful life. By doing so, we transform our lives,
our congregations, our neighborhoods…the world. We are blessed to be a part of your journey, your path to
becoming the most powerful woman possible. See you soon!
Peace,
Rev. Susan Sneed, Ntosake Director
And the Women of Gamaliel Western New York
Preparing a Woman to Attend Ntosake
Who we choose to send to Ntosake is important, to each woman and to each organization. A woman
invited to attend should be someone identified as a leader. She has already demonstrated that ability in
some way through her actions in her congregation and/or organization. She may be readily identified by
others that way, or through one/one conversation, she is discovered to have a true self-interest and a
need to act on that self-interest. Many have the potential for leadership but have never considered the
possibility until actually invited to develop that side of her. Sending a woman to Ntosake is an
investment for everyone concerned: the organizer, the organization and the woman herself. Proper
preparation is key to making Ntosake a fruitful and exciting endeavor.
Taking a risk……this is what it is about….a few lines on this to intro list……
1. A deep one-to-one is essential. Who is this woman and what does she want? No one should
come randomly to Ntosake. Everyone woman should be clear that she is seeking to develop
herself for the creation of a public life. In the development of a public life, a woman can truly
make the changes she seeks in her life, her congregation and her community.
2. A goal should be set. This could be anything but should reflect movement in her life. Becoming
core team chair, chair of a particular organizational team, president of the organization or
mayor of her town. It may be returning to school or ending a relationship What is she going to
accomplish when she returns and who will hold her accountable to that goal.
3. Be ready to be agitated. Ntosake strives NOT to be simple a “pink-washed” version of National
Leadership Training(weeklong) but the basic elements are the same. There will be agitation, that
exposure of behavior vs. stated goals/direction. Women are pushed but with the certain
knowledge that such a tactic can and does result in a “cracking open” of a woman, and the
release of tightly held pre-conceived beliefs and societally trained behaviors.
4. What is your story? Women should be prepared to share about the experiences of their lives,
good and bad. These are the events that have shaped them and Ntosake is a place to unpack
and even learn to utilize these stories. How are you shaped by your life and how can you use
these past events to build on your future in a positive and productive way.
5. This is not a retreat or church conference. There are exacting expectations. Time is taken
seriously, participation is expected. There is no time for shopping or sight-seeing. That’s not
why anyone should be there. This is about the development of self and the creation of public
life.
6. This is not therapy. Women who are leaders in need of more development, women who are
ready to be developed in to leaders should be invited. Women who may need true professional
help, who are “sent” to fulfill some sort of quota, should not be there.
7. Make expectations clear. The organizer or sponsor should be clear of what he/she expects of
the woman on her return from Ntosake. It must be agreed upon and should include the
woman’s own stated goal. Personal development is key to creating leaders who in turn will
strengthen the organization.
SPONSORSHIP FORM
For Gamaliel NTOSAKE Women’s Training
Note: Your role as the sponsor is an important one in this training process and you legitimize this effort,
as well as give clarity to expectations. Our assumption is that pre-training meetings have taken place
andd that post-training conversations will continue. It is important that the people you sponsor benefit
the organization. Please share this form in a one-on-one meeting with the liader in training. It is optional
for the trainee to share it with trainers
Name of Woman Leader in training:
Sponsor’s Name:
Title/Position:
Sponsor’s Organization
1. What talents does this woman leader bring to the training?
2. What changes do you strongly believe have to occur with this leader?
3. What do you want this leader to do as a result of going through this training?
4. Around what aspects of leadership does this person need to e challenged?
5. Do you have a written job description of this leader’s role?
☐
Yes – Name of Role:
☐
No – Why not?