Applicants to LA 29 (2010-2011)

The Leadership Asheville program strives to incorporate leadership development, community awareness, and networking into the design of every program. Continue to explore this section to learn more about the next class which will begin in September 2010. We will begin accepting applications for Leadership Asheville 29 in April 2010.

Candidate Qualifications

Each year, individuals identified as having outstanding potential for community leadership development, will be offered a dynamic leadership experience. Open to all in the community, participants are selected through a competitive screening process to participate in a nine-month journey of discovery. The ideal participant should have:

• have demonstrated a capacity for leadership in their chosen careers and/or have a likelihood of achieving positions of responsibility;
• have achieved a record of civic activity and/or show a genuine interest in becoming more involved in the greater Asheville civic arena;
• have shown a willingness and ability to commit the time and energy required to participate fully in the Leadership Asheville 28 Program;
• reside currently in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, or Madison counties; and
• possess a clear ability to function well in a group such as this.

When you accept the challenge to become part of a community leadership program, you will become part of a living legacy, the people who have made things happen in the greater Asheville area. You will:

• increase clarity and focus in your personal leadership journey to better enable you to mobilize people, cultivate common ground, and build effective teams;
• increase your ability to identify and analyze challenges and assets in the community at a strategic and foundational level;
• increase diversity in your personal network; and
• apply your leadership abilities and your philosophy of community stewardship to act in the community’s best interests to enhance greater Asheville’s sustainable economic development.

Criteria, Expectations, and Tuition

Criteria

We seek diversity. This program actively recruits from the diversity of people and viewpoints that make up greater Asheville. We welcome applications and inquiries from anyone committed to creating a new network of informed and committed community action-takers. The selection committee chooses the class with a conscious effort to ensure that the group reflects a cultural, life experience, and gender balance between the profit, nonprofit, public and voluntary sectors.

In our attempt to include diversity of people and viewpoints, many well-qualified applicants may not be selected. We urge those applicants to reapply in the following year with the understanding that each year’s applicant pool is independently considered.

Expectations

The success of the Leadership Asheville program depends on the full commitment of each participant to attend all program sessions, arrive on time and stay for the entire day. It is vital that both you and your employer understand and honor these commitments. The time commitment to the program is nine full-day seminars, a graduation ceremony, and some additional time outside of class to work on group activities. Even if your employer is not financially sponsoring your involvement, it is important that you secure this time commitment to ensure this program is a priority.

It is essential that you attend the two-day Opening Session in September as well as the class days scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. one Wednesday a month from October through May. You will also participate in group activities outside of class with others in the Leadership Asheville program. This will require an additional time commitment outside of the scheduled class time of at least 20 hours.

Attendance at all the program events is expected. Participants benefit from the program only if they are present to hear from the different leaders, visit the various communities and engage 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 the Program Coordinator in advance of the session. Participants may miss up to 8 hours of class meeting time. If participants surpass this maximum number of excused hours, they may be asked to withdraw from the program and forfeit tuition, or will be asked to attend an appropriate number of meetings or events the following year prior to receiving their certificate of completion.

Tuition

Financial Requirements – Participants

Tuition for the program is $1,350 with an additional Books and Materials Fee in the amount of $150. At least 10 percent of tuition and fees, or $150, must be personally paid by the participant, with the balance paid by the candidate’s firm or organization if applicable.

Leadership Asheville occasionally has a limited amount of financial assistance available. Those requesting assistance must complete the Financial Assistance Request form and return it with their application. Forms for assistance are confidential and have no bearing on the candidate selection process.

Financial Requirements – Employer/Sponsor

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 Leadership Asheville 28 Program carries the expectation that all Employers/Sponsors will contribute, or help generate support, to the best of their ability.

How to Apply

We will post the 2010-2011 application for Leadership Asheville in early April 2010.  However, you  may view the LA 28 application materials for an idea of what to expect when applying.

Leadership Asheville 28 Application

Leadership Asheville 28 Financial Assistance Request Form

If you are interested in applying to the Leadership Asheville 29 program and have more questions, please contact our office for more information.

Benefits

To read a testimonials from people who have been through Leadership Asheville, please click here.

Participant’s Benefits

While examining relational and community leadership theory, participants discover their potential for making a difference in the greater Asheville area. They learn results-oriented leadership, connect with networks of action-oriented people and help to meet the 21st century challenges in their community.

Benefits to Organizations

By sponsoring a participant in the Leadership Asheville program you will be recognizing a valued member of your organization. Your organization will benefit through increased knowledge and skills to be shared in your workplace. The infusion of new information will provide a strategic awareness of the community and a larger window to the world outside your organization. Your participant will be part of new network of community leaders from the private, nonprofit, public and voluntary sectors increasing your organization’s community involvement and public profile.

Community Benefits

Leadership is an ongoing process. The Leadership Asheville program acts as a stepping stone to familiarizing each participant with local government, community issues, and service opportunities. Strong leaders possess the wisdom only attained by learning and reflection. To benefit the greater Asheville community you must possess the knowledge of your area and the opinions of your diverse community. The Leadership Asheville program unfolds opportunities to not only benefit your community, but improve your personal leadership acumen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Leadership Asheville?

Leadership Asheville is a nonprofit organization that builds relationships among individuals and organizations to cultivate, maintain, and mobilize a diverse leadership pool for the greater Asheville area. To accomplish this, we:

• DEVELOP — We select approximately 35 to 50 people annually to participate in an intensive nine-month program to learn more about the Asheville region: economic development, education, race and ethnic relations, housing, crime and violence and healthcare.
• CONNECT — The program brings together diverse men and women with multiple perspectives, and builds relationships based on trust and understanding. We foster connections between people of different races and ethnicities, professionals in different occupations, and residents of communities throughout the greater Asheville area.
• MOBILIZE — Participants describe their experience as eye-opening and life-changing. They do more than learn about the region’s challenges—they become part of a network of leaders from throughout Asheville who are working for change.

Who typically participates in Leadership Asheville?

Since 1982, Leadership Asheville has competitively selected over 1,000 men and women as Leadership Asheville Fellows. They include, among others, corporate executives, government officials, entrepreneurs, school principals, teachers, doctors, lawyers, clergy, community organizers and directors of nonprofit organizations. Participants are typically sponsored and financially supported by their employers.

Does the Leadership Asheville 28 Program provide leadership training?

The program is not leadership training in the traditional sense. But participants find it to be a remarkable leadership-development experience. Participants are exposed to leaders from throughout Asheville—both emerging leaders in their class, and established leaders who share their experiences. During the program, they consider complex community problems and come face-to-face with decision-makers who are finding solutions to them. They have meaningful discussions with Asheville’s mayor, other government officials, corporate CEOs and civic leaders. Leadership is examined constantly in a community context and through the lenses of the Seven Pillars of a Healthy Community:

1. Practices ongoing dialogue
2. Connects people and resources
3. Generates leadership
4. Knows itself
5. Shapes its future
6. Embraces diversity
7. Creates a sense of community

What are the benefits of sponsoring a participant?

Leadership Asheville sharpens participants’ abilities to lead by giving them an opportunity to interact closely with a diverse group of people with multiple perspectives. Participants are exposed to a solid network of executives and decision-makers throughout metropolitan Asheville. Sponsoring a participant heightens the visibility of both the participant and the sponsoring organization. Companies, organizations and public agencies find that sponsorship provides an opportunity to elevate their civic profile while they expand employees’ leadership potential and ability to make a contribution to the greater Asheville area.

What does Leadership Asheville look for in candidates?

The primary purpose of Leadership Asheville is to produce Leadership Asheville Fellows who are willing and prepared to serve their communities at higher levels. Leadership Asheville seeks applicants who have demonstrated leadership ability and commitment to civic and community affairs. Participants are generally articulate, curious, committed individuals who care about their communities and hope to make a difference.

What is the time commitment for participants?

During the 9-month program, participants attend a mandatory two-day meeting in September and eight all-day meetings; as well as community site visits and meetings with civic, government and business leaders. The schedule and time commitment of the Leadership Asheville program (in addition to class time) requires at least 20 hours over the 9-month period outside of class for group activities.

What is the sponsor’s commitment?

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 are either employed by small nonprofit organizations, public sector entities, or are self-employed.

What is the application process?

Applications are usually due in May or June. Selection is made based on applicants’ qualifications and the goal of balancing the class in terms of profession, race, ethnicity, gender and geography.

How does an organization become a sponsor?

Your organization can become a sponsor by nominating an employee for the program. If appropriate, the sponsor’s chief executive officer or board chair should nominate the individual. You can also sponsor a participant whose employer is unable to support his or her participation in the program. If you are interested in doing so, contact Leadership Asheville to find out if there are any candidates in need of sponsorship.

How can I get more information?

View our on-line roster of Leadership Asheville Fellows and learn more about Leadership Asheville at www.leadershipasheville.org. Please contact us with questions by phone at 828.348.0673 or e-mail us at programs@leadershipasheville.org.