Junior Council Workshop | Leadership & Mentorship
What to Expect: Each Junior Council meeting combines council business, leadership activities, and a workshop designed to build practical skills for college, careers, and community leadership. This month’s session focuses on Leadership & Mentorship, led by Donald A. Bender (Indianapolis Youth Leadership Academy).
About the Speakers:
Donald “Don” A. Bender is a retired Police Officer with 48 years of service, beginning with the U S Army Military Police, being discharged as a Sergeant. After discharge he worked with the Indianapolis Public School Police until being hired by the Indianapolis Police Department where he served in various positions as a Patrol Officer, Sergeant, and Lieutenant. Don was also a member of the Indiana National Guard attending Officer Candidate School and Officer Basic as an Armored Cavalry Lieutenant.
He was presented with the US Army Leadership Award in 1979. Other schools Don has attended several U S Army leadership courses, the Northwestern Traffic Institute, the FBI National Academy, Session 206, the first session of the IMPD Leadership Academy, and the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Instructor Development Course, as well as various management and leadership courses. Don is
married to Pam and has one son.
Eligibility & Access: Junior Council is open to Indiana middle & high school students. Meetings are held in person at IAS HQ (Indianapolis) with a hybrid Zoom option for students joining from across the state. Participation counts toward community service hours and provides leadership experience, career exposure, and statewide networking through the Indiana Academy of Science.
