WASHINGTON, DC -- In 1995, NMA kicked-off the NAAA Leadership Training Program. This program is sponsored by Zeneca Ag Products through NAAA's Public Relations and Education committee. Chaired by Ken Edmondson of Georgia, this training is designed to prepare aerial applicators for speaking out about agricultural aviation and defending its position in the media environment. The participates are selected by a special NAAA selection committee. Fourteen individuals are picked from the ranks of the NAAA membership who have been recommended by a NAAA director or member.
I was afforded the distinction and honor to attend this intense program for the 1996 class. Three sessions are scheduled in coordination with the NAAA spring, fall, and annual board meetings. The first session started with two 13-hour days focusing on methods to accomplish the goals of the Zeneca sponsored NAAA Leadership Training Program. We "students" began our day at 8:00am, finishing at 9:00pm. Our meals were catered in with a presentation going on during one of the luncheons. Although there were breaks during the day, most of the time was spent undergoing the highly specialized training.
The first session of the three series program was dedicated to effective, public speaking. This portion of the program was conducted by Tero International, a professional management training company. Rowena Crosbie, president of Tero International, conducted the program, assisted by Zeneca consultant, Dick Foells.
The two days exposed myself and my thirteen classmates to 10-12 impromptu speaking engagements. These small presentations were unprepared and unexpected, often about abstract topics focusing on our ability to facilitate new techniques taught during the two days.
Most interesting was the use of the video camera. A video tape was made of us at the beginning of the first day with each of us standing before the class telling about ourselves. This portion of the tape was used for comparative purposes with a video of a five-minute speech we gave at the end of the second day using our newly acquired speaking skills.
I found it stressful, but intriguing to stand before my peers and be critiqued. However, it was an effective method of learning for each of us. We soon became "special" friends.
Our instructors were very professional. There was never a dull moment. Rowena, called Ro, was continuously feeding us information and special techniques that would make our presentations before public groups effective. Dick Foells was superb in his ability to relate to us from an industry point of view, pulling from his many years experience working for Chevron Chemical Company and Zeneca Ag Products.
I left the two-day training session with a full understanding of how much I did not know about effective ways to present one's self and any important topic. When the parts of a presentation remembered are only 7% content and the other 93% visual and vocal, it brings to light how important the techniques are that Tero International taught us.
Our next training session will be at the fall NAAA Board of Directors meeting. This session is designed to prepare us for dealing with the media, often a hostile one. My understanding is it will be a grueling training session. I'll be sure to let you know.
It should be noted the effort and expense Zeneca Ag Products has made to bring the NAAA Leadership Training Program to the aerial application industry. In no instance did I detect Zeneca making any attempt to sell or promote their products in any way. I believe the company understands the need of aerial application, seeing past the immediate future, realizing the important role the aerial applicator plays with the successful use of crop protection products. It is a role that other chemical companies would be equally wise to follow. I make no bones about my next statement: All aerial applicators should make every effort to support Zeneca in any way possible.