Led by keynote speaker and facilitator Pam Herath  (Your Culture Partner-Herath Consulting LLC), athletic leaders from independent schools across the state came together via Zoom for an 'unconference' of sharing and learning from one another at the winter PAISAA meeting on Wednesday (1/27/21). 

Herath opened the session talking about leadership awareness, with a focus on what athletic leaders need to do for themselves to be able to lead others. Her first assertion of 'Return to your why' resonated with athletic directors faced with leading programs upended by the pandemic. 

Participants then went into breakout room groups with themes-Lessons Learned, Innovation & Technology, Equity & Access-then reassembled together to share what they had learned from one another. 

"Pam is excellent at identifying the key factors in a situation and helping individuals and groups to explore those factors. She opened the door for many of us to share ideas, challenges, frustrations, and victories. It was great to bring the association together in this way. I really appreciate the energy that my colleagues brought to this experience, as well as their time and willingness to share," commented Rick Hendrickson, current PAISAA president. 

Hendrickson and other members of the PAISAA executive board will be meeting over the next few weeks to determine the state association's direction for spring championship tournaments and events. An announcement regarding that direction is expected by the end of February.