Applicants to LA 29 (2010-2011)

Program Objectives
The primary aim of LA 29 is to strengthen community leadership by preparing participants to work with others to develop and sustain the health of the greater Asheville area.

The 9-month, 10-day program begins in September and ends in May. Meeting day sessions focus on both community orientation and personal leadership development skills that are led by a variety of trainers, facilitators, and community leaders. Each monthly meeting day is dedicated to both leadership education and community orientation.

Additionally, there are activities required outside of meeting days that provide outlets to use and refine skills, concepts, and tools introduced in class sessions and readings. These activities are an important part of the LA 29 program and require additional work outside of scheduled program meeting days.

Through interactive community orientation, personal leadership development training, and hands-on team projects, LA 29 provides a strong curriculum for developing a broad, collaborative, action-network of community members. Fellows complete the program with an increased capacity as an effective leader and greater knowledge of the community.

Candidate Qualifications
A selection committee comprised of LA Fellows, graduates of the LA Program, selects approximately 40 candidates from the pool of applicants to create a diverse class with respect to several factors, including occupation, race/ethnicity, gender and geography. Applicants should:

Participant Expectations/Time Commitment
In order to complete the LA 29 Program, participants are required to:

• Attend a two-day meeting on September 22^nd and 23^rd (attendance is mandatory);
• Attend a full-day session once a month, from October to May;
• Engage in pre- and post-class reading assignments and exercises;
• Complete a community awareness activity in the fall and spring; and
• Participate in and contribute to a team project that may take at least 20 additional hours outside of scheduled meeting times.

LA 29 Meeting Dates

Attendance Policy
Attendance at all the monthly sessions is expected. The success of LA 29 depends on the full commitment of each participant. Participants benefit from the program only if they are present to hear from the different leaders and interact with their colleagues in class discussion. Class members – and our speakers – expect the participant to be present. Since circumstances do arise which prevent attendance, participants are expected to notify staff in advance.

Except for the September meetings, participants may miss up to 8 hours of class meeting time. Missing between 8 and 16 hours of class meeting time will require a participant to attend an appropriate number of meetings or events the following year prior to officially graduating. If a participant misses more than 16 hours, they will be asked to withdraw from the program and forfeit tuition. Ultimately, LA reserves the right to make graduation decisions contingent upon fulfilling the requirements of the program.

Tuition
The amount of tuition for each participant is $1,500, which is approximately one-half of the program’s actual cost. Through financial assistance and other fundraising, LA attempts to keep tuition as low as possible in order to achieve diverse participation in the program. Consequently, the community is making an investment in participants through this program and there is a strong expectation that upon graduating from LA 29 and becoming a LA Fellow, participants become actively involved in the community’s leadership.

To demonstrate and solidify the personal commitment necessary to ensure the best experience possible, each participant must personally pay at least 10% of tuition and fees, or $150, with the balance paid by the candidate’s firm or organization, if applicable.

Employee Sponsorships
This is a fellowship program and all applicants are eligible regardless of their own or their employer’s ability to support their participation. To ensure that a quality program is maintained, however, involvement in the program carries the expectation that all employers/sponsors will contribute, or help generate support, to the best of their ability.

Sponsors support their employees in the program by giving them the time to participate and contributing to cover the cost of participation. For-profit, private sector sponsors are encouraged to contribute additional monies in order to provide tuition assistance to those candidates who either are employed by small nonprofit organizations, public sector entities, or are self-employed.

Internal Process
Some corporations/organizations have an internal application process for selecting applicants from their organizations.  Before applying, please check with your employer before submitting an application.

Financial Assistance
Scholarship assistance may be available on a limited basis. For those seeking financial assistance, please fill out the online Financial Assistance Request Form. Scholarships will be awarded based on need and availability of resources. Forms for assistance are confidential and have no bearing on the candidate selection process.

Assistance will not be granted for the entire tuition amount under any circumstances.  If granted, assistance can range from approximately $100 to a maximum of $600, but is typically around $350. Award amounts are based on the number of requests received and the amount of funds available each year.

Priority for financial assistance is given to those candidates who are either employed by small nonprofit organizations, public sector entities, or are self-employed. Candidates employed by large, private-sector companies are not eligible for assistance.

Applying to LA 29

Applicants must complete the online LA 29 Application Form

If you would like to apply, please complete the online form by clicking on the following link:
LA 29 Application Form

If you are interested in financial assistance, please click on the link below:
Financial Assistance Request Form

Applications are due by Tuesday, June 8^th, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. Applicants will be notified of their status in late June.

A Sampling of LA Program Sponsors
More than 350 organizations have sponsored individuals since the LA Program’s inception. Following is a list of some of those that have sponsored participants over the years: