About Queensland Servant Leadership Forum (QSLF)

Vision

We hope that the Queensland Servant Leadership Forum will inspire and equip young people to become leaders who use their gifts and energies to serve others - what we might call "servant leaders".

In the era of mass communication it is not surprising that many young people tend to be cynical about their leaders. When they receive a daily update about dishonest or self-interested public figures, their expectations quickly lower. Unfortunately, this can also make it more difficult for young people to believe that it is possible for them to ultimately behave differently.

The Forum has been designed to help re-inspire and elevate expectations about leadership. From our point of view, this discussion has been invaluable because it reminds us of the reasons we aspired to leadership in the first place. We have observed that the young people who attend also gain a great deal from the Forum and that it provides an opportunity to think about leadership from a different perspective.

Our hope is that this gathering will be challenging and perhaps even life changing for those who participate.

I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.
~ Albert Schweitzer 1875-1965
French Philosopher and medical doctor to the people of equatorial Africa

 

Philosophy

The Queensland Servant Leadership Forum is not about politics but rather seeks to address the topic of leadership more generally. Those of us who host the Forum come from all major political parties and represent a broad philosophical spectrum.

We work closely with business and other community leaders to develop and present a program that is relevant to all motivated young people. Speakers and seminar leaders come from all walks of life.

We believe that the time-proven idea of helping others is the foundation of meaningful lives and healthy communities. We explore together the personal character foundations that enable us to live for something bigger than self-interest - foundations such as integrity, humility, commitment, courage and love.

We also consider together the relationship between personal faith and values - how our faith back grounds shape the things that are important to us.

While we discuss the significance of faith and values we do not intend for the Forum to be overtly religious or sectarian. We have a high regard for the life of Jesus of Nazareth as a model of servant leadership, yet we consider the examples of many other historic leaders also. Every year we have young people attend from many backgrounds - Catholic, Jewish, Protestant, Muslim and Buddhist and a large number with no religious background at all: we have found that this diversity enriches our time together enormously.

 

The Organisation

The Queensland Servant Leadership Forum on faith and values is the initiative of Members of Queensland Parliament, supported by other business and community leaders. A small secretariat of volunteers operates from Brisbane to help with administrative arrangements.

All financial requirements are met either through participants' fees or the donations of concerned companies and individuals around Australia. The Forum receives no government funding.

 

QSLF 5th-8th August 2010

The purpose of the Forum is to inspire and equip young people to become leaders who make a difference because of their personal commitment to serve others.

 

Empowering! Motivating! Inspiring! The forum has been inspirational, the Speakers where phenomenal and it was refreshing to meet so many great people.
~ Roberta Coleman

 

This may be one of the best experiences of my life. The friendship and lessons we learnt we will take away. This is certainly one of the most rewarding experiences I have experienced. It was really therapeutic in sharing thoughts and experiences.
~ Prue Fan

 

Thank you for this experience and the chance for me to reaffirm where my heart lies in respect to faith and values. I feel empowered to continue striving to serve others.
~ Lisa Spengler

 

The forum was a fantastic experience in which we could share in a common purpose - to learn the skills we need to not just be successful, but to be a leader. It came at the right time for me, and has helped me deal with some very personal and difficult life challenges.
~ Jason Garrick

 

This was absolutely awesome, I'm so motivated to make a difference now on any level and I think the things I have learned about myself and about servant leadership I will carry for the rest of my life!
~ Catherine Pacholke

 

The 2006 QSLF was an excellent experience that went beyond any other leadership Forum in that it focused on faith and values and provided me with the opportunity to evaluate our life and leadership style and inspired me to make a change for the better.
~ Drew Sullivan