The Leather Apron Talks - Ideas, Community, and Transformation

THE BACKGROUND

 

Some things never go out of style.  The leather apron, as an idea, whether or not as a fashion, is such an example.

The leather apron in the literal sense was a protective cloak worn by craftsmen and artisans.  We of course do not care what you wear.  In that sense, this could be the khaki pants community or the fleece vest society.  Wear what you want.  We are interested only in the idea.  

The leather apron as an idea – as a symbol – was fruited by Ben Franklin.  Franklin was known for his platitudes - a few of which he actually followed – but also and, more importantly, for his relentless pursuit of useful knowledge.  In 1727, Franklin pulled together members from all walks of society and formed “The Leather Apron Club”, a group dedicated to inquiry, discussion, idea generation, and mutual benefit. Franklin knew that vast knowledge and experience could be found in many quarters, including the artisans of society – those who donned, yes indeed, the leather apron. 

We are carrying that idea forward.  Imagine our concept as this:  Ben Franklin meets TED Talks.  The Leather Apron to us represents inquiry, attention to detail, mutual respect, big ideas, inclusiveness, sharing, and transformation.  Franklin was committed to generating ideas while TED is committed to spreading them.  We are committed to both

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WHAT WE ARE

Within our Centenary College School of Professional Studies community – faculty, students, staff, and alumni – the reservoir of knowledge and experience runs deep.  Through the SPS Leather Apron Talks, we plumb it, showcase it, and render from it communal good. 

 Education is not a commodity, it is not about tediously collecting credit hours in the name of earning the right to buy a piece of paper for your office wall.  It is about long simmering and sometimes explosive growth and useful change.  Each classroom is an intellectual laboratory committed to this, but no classroom is an island.  The Leather Apron Talks plough a path from each classroom into a common area, a place where we meet as an entire community and talk and listen and make each other better.  This is our intellectual marketplace, where we each carry all that we have, unload our wares in the common area, and offer them to each other, making us all more complete and empowered through the exchange.  

THE FORMAT

We meet periodically and throw open the doors to our entire Centenary community when we do.  The format varies from event to event, as different ideas require different treatment.  There could be short talks, panel discussions, round table discussions, long-form lecture; the possible iterations are many.  Each event is organized around a general theme or topic and different members of the community are asked to speak, present, or facilitate.  As with Franklin’s group, our events are “conducted in the sincere spirit of inquiry after truth, without fondness for dispute or desire of victory.”

Put another way, we are the antidote to cable TV’s screaming dual panels, two people on opposite sides of the issue, on opposite sides of the screen, shouting their positions and demeaning those who oppose them.  As all young attorneys quickly learn, repeating your point, or worse, repeating it more loudly, does not make a point more persuasive.

The Leather Apron Talks will be a forum for authentic dialogue.  A curious mien, an open mind, and a willingness to listen with judgment suspended - those are the lone prerequisites for admission.  Thus, the Leather Apron will be our polestar symbol as we meet under its auspices of converting good ideas into a better reality.