Leadership Raleigh is the ideal program for preparing the leaders of tomorrow. During the nine-month program, participants get a bird’s-eye view of community issues, develop leadership skills necessary to assume leadership roles, and are exposed to community involvement opportunities.
Leadership Raleigh is unlike other programs because it provides participants with the opportunity to meet and discuss issues with key community leaders.
- Leadership Raleigh is open to persons living in the Raleigh/Wake County area who are members in good standing of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce.
- Participants study the qualities that make an effective leader, analyze individual leadership roles, and develop personal leadership styles and skills. They are then challenged to apply their talents by joining professional associations, civic clubs, public boards and commissions.
- Cost is $1,900 and includes all expenses for the retreat, monthly program sessions, concluding report session and the participant’s first year’s dues in the Leadership Raleigh Alumni Association. A limited number of partial scholarships are available.
The selection process:
A committee reviews all applications and selects 45 to 50 individuals who represent a broad cross-section of the community.
- Applicants must show demonstrated leadership ability and/or potential, community interest and involvement, and the desire to assume expanded community responsibility.
- Selection is based upon thoroughness of answers on a candidate’s application.
- The deadline for applications is June 30, 2008.
- Only one candidate per company will be selected to participate each year.
Calendar for 2008/09:
- May 27, 2008 – FREE Information Session
- June 30, 2008 – Deadline for applications
- Mid to late July 2008 – Accepted participants notified; tuition due by August 29
- August 14, 2008 – Class Orientation at the Chamber
- September 26-27, 2008 – Open Weekend Retreat at Southern Pines
- Program Sessions:
~ October 14, 2008 – Quality of Life
~ November 11, 2008 – Law Enforcement
~ December 9, 2008 – Human Services
~ January 13, 2009 – Local Economy
~ February 10, 2009 – Local Government
~ March 10, 2009 – Education
~ April 14, 2009 – Health Services
~ May 5, 2009 – Media
- May 15, 2009 – Spring Report Session
Commitment to full participation is critical. Attendance at the weekend retreat, spring report session, and six of eight monthly sessions is mandatory. Absentees will be dropped from the program after two sessions are missed.
Leadership Raleigh Program Details:
Over a nine-month period, participants attend an opening weekend retreat, eight one-day sessions and a concluding all-day report session.
Retreat/Report Session:
The program begins with a retreat in Southern Pines, N.C., where attendees participate in a number of networking and team-building activities designed to demonstrate the dynamics of effective leadership. The program concludes with an all-day report session where participants share the results of their community projects.
Monthly Sessions:
The eight one-day sessions are held on the second Tuesday of each month, from October through April and the first Tuesday in May, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. At the sessions, state and local leaders offer information on the following topics: education, local economy, law enforcement, local government, human needs, health care, the media, and quality of life. Each session offers hands-on experience and a unique opportunity to interact with community leaders.
Project Teams:
A unique aspect of Leadership Raleigh is the project team element. Each participant is placed in a project team based on his or her background and experience. The team then works together on a specific and identified need for which a community non-profit organization has requested help. This real-world experience teaches participants how to work within a group and helps to build and demonstrate leadership skills. It is also a way for participants to make a lasting change in the community by implementing a project and/or submitting suggestions to the agency’s board of directors.
Projects from Leadership Raleigh 22 (2006-07) included work with the following organizations:
Testimonials:
“Leadership Raleigh helped me learn about my community and the ways in which I could make a difference. The program also gave me the leadership tools necessary to do so. I used to think of Raleigh only as a place where I lived. I now call it home.”
-Megan Montgomery – LR 2002
Universal Printing & Publishing Co.
President, Leadership Raleigh Alumni Association
“Leadership Raleigh provided me with incredible experiences and opportunities to develop both personal and professional relationships that have continued well after the program ended.”
-Hans Huang – LR 2004
Williams Mullen
“If you’re a person who is interested in working with others, volunteering your time through community service projects, enhancing your leadership skills, and becoming one of Raleigh’s next leaders, then Leadership Raleigh is for you. It has been one of the most invaluable experiences of my life!”
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Marcelle Pettis – LR 2007
Wake County Public School System