Leadership Raleigh
Leadership Raleigh is the ideal program for preparing the leaders of tomorrow. During the nine-month program, participants get an in-depth 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. 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.
Requirements and Selection Process
A committee reviews all applications and selects 45 to 50 individuals who represent a broad cross-section of the community.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Only one candidate per company will be selected to participate each year.
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. Each session offers hands-on experience and a unique opportunity to interact with community leaders.
Calendar for 20010/11:
- Program Sessions:
~ June 30, 2010 – Application Deadline
~ Mid-July 2010 – Accepted participants notified
~ Mid-August 2010 – Orientation: The program begins with a retreat in Southern Pines, NC, where attendees participate in a number of networking and team-building activities designed to demonstrate the dynamics of effective leadership.
~ Oct. 12, 2010 – Quality of Life
~ Nov. 9, 2010 – Law Enforcement/Public Safety
~ Dec. 14, 2010 – Human Needs
~ Jan. 11, 2011 – Local Economy
~ Feb. 8, 2011 – Local/State Government
~ March 8, 2011 – Education
~ April 12, 2011 – Health Services
~ May 3, 2011 – Media
~ May 20, 2011 – Report Session: The program concludes with an all-day report session where participants share the results of their community projects.
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.
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 25 (2009-10) include work with the following organizations:
Testimonials:
"Leadership Raleigh is the most comprehensive program in which I've ever been involved. As a participant I gained a tremendous overview of every area of Wake County. With topics from health care and social services, to local government and law enforcement, to education and the role of the media, Leadership Raleigh gave me the opportunity to meet the key players behind each of these areas, and as importantly, the chance to network with my classmates and colleagues, with whom I built many invaluable professional contacts and friendships."
Gloria Lopez Potichko – LR 24
Rex Healthcare
"Leadership Raleigh allowed me to be a better citizen and leader for our community. It provided me exposure to the issues we face, networks in many industries, and the chance to hear from those making a difference every day. With the knowledge and networks I developed, I know I can reach out to others and find solutions and make connections."
Jim Hansen – LR 21