JOINING INSTRUCTIONS

IVEY MBA
LEADERSHIP UNDER FIRE
December 2019

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. WELCOME

2. AIM

3. PREPARATIONS

4. PERSONAL KIT AND EQUIPMENT

5. ISSUED KIT AND EQUIPMENT

6. RENDEZVOUS

7. TRAINING SITE

8. DRESS CODE

9. MEDICAL AND EMERGENCY INFORMATION

10. MEALS

11. DOCUMENTATION/MONEY

12. MANDATORY/VOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL

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PRACTICAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING SESSION –
JOINING INSTRUCTIONS – 06-10 DECEMBER 2019

WELCOME

Thank you for your interest in learning more about leadership. Pathfinder Leadership
Associates (PLA) is proud to play a role in this never-ending journey of discovery and in the
practical portion of your university program Leadership Under Fire. PLA is keen to ensure that
you get absolutely the very best training out of this experience. Our program is designed to give
you an opportunity to lead in demanding circumstances so that you can learn about yourself.
We want you to be physically and mentally prepared for the experience. These joining
instructions are provided to facilitate the experience and diminish any administrative concerns
you may have at the outset.

AIM

This document is intended to provide students with the necessary information to ensure a
positive and successful experience during the Practical Leadership Training Session (PLTS)
conducted by PLA staff on behalf of The Ivey School of Business during the period of 6-10
December 2019. The PLA staff are military veterans and leaders with experience in combat
operations and in training. The staff pride themselves on their relentless mission focus. Your
success in this endeavour is our goal.

PREPARATIONS

PLTS will be a physically, emotionally and psychologically challenging event. It will also be
immensely rewarding if the proper physical and mental preparations are undertaken. Students
should be physically capable of lifting reasonably heavy objects (+/- 50lbs), moving across
uneven terrain, walking several kilometres per day (+/- 5kms) and working long hours. Mental
resilience will be essential. A nagging injury may be exacerbated during PLTS. Students that
are unable or unwilling to expose themselves to mental challenges of decision-making under
pressure, ambiguity and a not insignificant degree of sleep deprivations should seriously
reconsider attendance. Please note that PLTS is designed to “bend” but not “break” you.

The average temperature range in our yet to be disclosed training location is +5 to -15C.

PERSONAL KIT AND EQUIPMENT

Students will be required to outfit themselves with certain kit and equipment to ensure safety
and comfort during PLTS. It is highly recommended that all items be rugged and in good
working order. Personal items may be damaged during PLTS due to environmental realities
(getting wet, being dropped etc.). The list is the minimum required. All personal kit and
equipment must fit into the allocated baggage. Students are limited to one carry on item (i.e.

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knapsack approximate size 22" x 14" x 9") and one suitcase/cargo bag (approximate size 28" x
20" x 11").

Environmental Clothing

● Winter jacket
● Waterproof jacket (Gore-Tex recommended)
● Underlayer jacket (i.e. fleece or wool)
● 2 x pair of hiking style boots with ankle support (boots should be worked in to
prevent blistering)
● Sleeping bag (rated to -15℃ as a minimum)
● Air or foam sleeping mattress (transportable)
● Day Bag (used to carry some of this kit throughout the day therefore a knap-sack
style bag is recommended)
● Toque
● 2 x pair of gloves or mittens (water resistant as a minimum)
● Multiple pairs of socks (hiking or athletic)
● Pants (hiking or cargo style)
● Shirt (hiking style)
● T-shirts (non-cotton recommended)
● Underwear (regular and thermal)
● Sunglasses

Casual Attire

● Collared shirt/blouse or sweater

● Jeans or slacks
● Shoes

Fitness Clothing

● Athletic shorts or track pants

● Athletic top
● Athletic socks
● Athletic shoes (indoor soles - no black soles)

Toiletries

● Towel
● Soap/shampoo
● Deodorant
● Flip-flops
● Dental hygiene items
● Shaving kit

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 ● Foot powder

Miscellaneous

● Insulated mug or thermos

● Prescription medications in their original containers
● Sunscreen/lip balm

Prohibited Items

The following items cannot be brought to the training location:

● Alcohol
● Tobacco
● Drugs
● Perishable food items
● “Junk” food i.e. chocolate bars or candies
● Performance enhancing supplements (i.e. epinephrine, energy drinks)
● Electronic devices such as MP3 players, iPods, game systems, tablets etc.

Controlled Items

The following items will be quarantined and secured upon arrival at the training site:

● Cell phones
● Watches/timepieces
● Non-perishable food items

Students are encouraged to check the weather for Southern Ontario in the days leading up to
PLTS and adjust their personal kit and equipment selection accordingly.

This kit list is the minimum required. As laundry facilities will generally NOT be available
students are to ensure they have adequate supplies of socks etc. to maintain their health and
comfort.

ISSUED KIT AND EQUIPMENT

Students will be issued with limited kit and equipment to ensure their safety and comfort. Most
of this kit and equipment must be returned to PLA at the completion of PLTS.

RENDEZVOUS (RV)

Students must arrive at The Ivey Business School on Western Rd no later than 0600hrs on 06
December 2019. Students will be manifested with their personal belongings into a chartered

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bus by PLA staff. The road move to the training location will take approximately 2hrs. The bus
will NOT have toilet facilities. Upon completion of the PLTS students will be returned to the RV
for drop off. Students must use the provided transportation to and from the training site.
Personal vehicles or drop off at the training site is NOT authorized.

TRAINING SITE

For purposes of achieving certain training aims the location of the training site will remain a
secret. However, for your awareness the training site is a rural location with a range of
amenities (accommodations, indoor and outdoor toilet facilities, kitchen etc.) It should however
be considered as “austere”. Students will be confined to the training site and prohibited from
speaking with other people using the training site during PLTS. Certain areas of the training site
will be off limits throughout PLTS. Further details to be provided once in location.

DRESS CODE

Students will be issued clothing to wear over their own environmental clothing to not only
identify them as a group but also protect personal clothing from damage as much as possible.
The provided clothing will be considered “dress of the day”. During off hours students will be
expected to dress modestly (i.e. no walking around in the accommodation area shirtless or in
underwear).

MALE/FEMALE ACCOMMODATIONS

Men and women will be accommodated in shared facilities. Students will comport themselves in
a respectful manner. Fraternization of any kind is forbidden.

MEDICAL AND EMERGENCY INFORMATION

PLA staff will ensure that there is medical support available throughout PLTS to address minor
injuries through use of qualified personnel. PLA will have access to a nurse throughout PLTS.
In the unlikely event that emergency intervention or hospitalization is required 9-1-1 services will
be used.

Students should ensure that Ivey is provided with emergency contact information for families.
Ivey staff will be present at the training site throughout. Ivey and PLA staff should be made
aware of any medical considerations/allergies prior to the commencement of PLTS.

PLA will maintain a duty phone. The number will be provided to you on Day 1. Students are
asked to provide this number to those that may need to contact them for emergencies only.
This number will ONLY be active during the period of 06-10 December 2019. Students will be
briefed on the safety protocols related to fire and other such emergencies once in location.

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MEALS

Students will be fed throughout PLTS although meals and meal timings may vary from what
students are accustomed. Food items are not to be removed from the kitchen/feeding area to
avoid attracting vermin. Any dietary considerations must be made known to the Ivey and PLA
staff no later than 08 November 2019.

DOCUMENTATION/MONEY

Students should bring their Health Card with them in the event of a medical emergency.

Students should minimize all other items such as credit cards and cash to mitigate against loss
or theft. There will be no requirement to purchase items during PLTS.

MANDATORY/VOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL

Should a student wish to remove themselves from PLTS they will be encouraged to discuss the
decision with PLA and ultimately Ivey staff to ensure they are making an informed decision.
Should the student no longer wish to continue with PLTS they will have to make their own
transportation arrangements from the training site to their place of residence. PLA and Ivey
staff will facilitate as much as practical, however.

Should the PLA staff deem that a student is either a threat to themselves or others by virtue of
continued participation in PLTS they will be removed from training (i.e. should a student
wantonly disregard rules and regulations, or should a student threaten or commit violence
against another person).

CONCLUSION

You are to be commended for pursuing excellence in leadership. Anything truly worth having
typically comes at a cost. You will be challenged during this program. However by being
properly prepared in mind and in body and supported by your fellow students and the PLA
mentors it is our sincere belief that you will emerge with not only a greater appreciation of your
strengths and limitations as a leader but also the self-confidence and skills to seek and manifest
continuous improvement.

Questions should be directed to your Ivey faculty for onward transmission to PLA for
clarification.

We Lead!