| Events 2008
Texas Association of Counties
Austin, TX
Beyond Problem Solving
National Association of Counties (NACO) - Leadership Academy
Kansas City, MO
Creating a Character-Based Public Organization
National Association of Counties (NACO) - Leadership Academy
Kansas City, MO
Elected Officials as Convener
City of Clayton, MO - City Council & Mayor Retreat
Clayton, MO
Oregon Special District Association
Bend, OR
Keynote: Keeping Your Passion for Public Service Alive
Washington Municipal Clerks - Annual Meeting
Wenatchee, WA
Creating Powerful Partners
Oregon Municipal Clerks - Annual Meeting
Klamath Falls, OR
Creating Powerful Partners
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2007 Event Highlights
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The Politics of Hope
Helping Ordinary Citizens Become Extraordinary
Public LeadersMy mission is to help individuals and teams to reach their highest potential by harnessing the power of their collective talents, passions and vision to serve the public good. To achieve this mission, my clients must be willing to stretch their comfort zone and be open to change and personal development.
I am dedicated to building the capability of all public leaders, board, councils and senior staff I work with. My clients benefit from fresh thinking and a confidential, nonpartisan perspective from a former elected leader and now professional coach.
My leadership philosophy is based upon the belief that we learn and grow best through supportive yet challenging partnerships and public leaders greatly benefit from confidential relationships where they can talk about what is on their mind, and try-out new ideas without reading about their brainstorming session on the front page of the newspaper. I don’t have a fixed approach or one-size-fits all package. I design your program and will submit a proposal after a complimentary session.
I offer three primary services:
Executive Coaching for public leaders such as city managers, local and state department directors, elected leaders and nonprofit directors and senior staff. I specialize in working with leaders in the public domain utilizing various assessments, 360 degree feedback that explores and discovers your leadership strengths, preferences and styles. A custom designed Leadership Development Plan will guide our work together.
Team and Board Development and customized staff retreats that build performance and passion for doing the work of your public organization. This includes leadership development sessions that move groups from reacting to day to day problem solving toward establishing collective visions and an action plan to achieve them.
Advancing Council and Staff Relations. Local government elected leaders and professional staff must speak the same language and build trusting relationships. As a former elected leader and executive coach, I know the importance of getting the elected leaders and staff on the same page. Every city or state government entity is different yet many similarities and challenges exist. Learning to work together as political leaders and professional staff is essential to serving the public good.
Call me at 206-780-9300 or email me at donna@politicsofhope.com to learn more. I look forward to hearing from you.
 July Newsletter Excerpt:
Behind Every Complaint is a Commitment
Public leaders are service minded so naturally they want to do all they can to help people. I find that when public servants receive a citizen complaint they tend do one of three things:
- Want to fix it immediately
- Tend to work overtime to please
- May take the complaint personally
Each of these three strategies can lead to burn-out and very little job satisfaction. Understanding that behind every complaint lies a commitment allows us to alter the way we listen and act on complaints. (read more)
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If you'd like to subscribe to Donna's monthly newsletter, click here to send an email request.
 “I'm so grateful for the role you've played in helping America create what we're seeing today.
Thinking back to when I first read your book, your work raised our consciousness, so that we could articulate what we wanted from our political leaders. I'm sure you already know this, but you're one of the people responsible to changing the dialogue, in a big way, so just thought I would say thanks.”
"The Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your appearance at our Centennial Conference. Everyone was delighted by your well-chosen words of wisdom, attention to detail and audience engagement. I was especially impressed with the way you drew your audience in and had them nodding their heads in agreement with your remarks and completely held their undivided attention."
Jean Wessman
Policy Director/Conference Coordinator
Washington State Association of Counties
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City Council Retreats
“Excellent presentation! The seminar was useful to our executive staff and many individuals mentioned how much they enjoyed it and they are not normally complementary of having to attend training sessions. I believe it will have a positive outcome. Thanks for everything!”
~ Mac Craig - City Manager
Largo, Florida
“I had the wonderful opportunity of introducing Donna Zajonc as a keynote speaker for our recent International Institute of Municipal Clerks Annual Conference. With her broad governmental and political experience, she brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the task of inspiring, motivating and teaching leadership skills.
~Charles E. Tokar, J.D., MMC IIMC President
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