The LA Program
LA 30 Program Info | Current Class (LA 29) | LA 29 Class Management Site | LA Class Projects
Overview
The primary aim of the LA Program is to strengthen participants’ knowledge of, commitment to, and involvement in collaborative community leadership. The program is designed to develop, connect, and mobilize citizens from cross-sectors of the community, including business, nonprofit, and government.
The program begins in September and ends in May. Meeting day sessions dedicate time to both leadership development and community orientation, led by a variety of trainers, facilitators, and community leaders. Additionally, there are activities required outside of program days that provide outlets to use and refine skills, concepts, and tools introduced in sessions and readings, which are integral program components.
Through interactive community orientation, personal leadership development training, outside activities, and hands-on small team projects, the LA Program provides a strong curriculum for developing a broad, collaborative action-network of community leaders. Participants complete the program with an increased capacity to contribute as effective leaders, a strong connection to the network of LA Program graduates and supporters, and a greater knowledge of the area in which they live.
Site Map
Quicklinks
Main Menu
ABOUT US
OUR PEOPLE
LA PROGRAM
EVENTS
SERVICE
OUR SUPPORTERS
Programs
The LA Program
Click here for the LA 30 Program Information Packet
Program Overview
The primary aim of LA 30 is to strengthen participants’ knowledge of, commitment to, and involvement in collaborative community leadership. The program is designed to develop, connect, and mobilize citizens from cross-sectors of the community, including business, nonprofit, and government.
The program begins in September and ends in May. Meeting day sessions dedicate time to both leadership development and community orientation, led by a variety of trainers, facilitators, and community leaders. Additionally, there are activities required outside of program days that provide outlets to use and refine skills, concepts, and tools introduced in sessions and readings, which are integral program components.
Through interactive community orientation, personal leadership development training, outside activities, and hands-on small team projects, the LA Program provides a strong curriculum for developing a broad, collaborative action-network of community leaders. Participants complete the program with an increased capacity to contribute as effective leaders, a strong connection to the network of LA Program graduates and supporters, and a greater knowledge of the area in which they live.
Candidate Qualifications
No more than 40 participants are chosen from the pool of applicants to create a diverse class with respect to several factors, including occupation, leadership experience, ethnicity, gender, age, geography, cultural perspective, and time in the community.
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications:
- At least mid-to-late 20s with work experience
- Cannot be a candidate for public office at the time of application
- Willing and able to commit the time and resources to fully participate in the program
- Reside, work, or have demonstrated a commitment to Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, or Madison counties; with intentions to remain in the region for the foreseeable future
- Upon graduating, willing and able to volunteer 2 years of service to the Leadership Asheville organization
LA seeks individuals who are:
- Passionate about strengthening community and civic awareness, commitment, and involvement
- Generally curious and articulate
- Interested in their community and hoping to make a difference
- Open-minded
- Willing to take risks
- Clearly able to work collaboratively
- Prepared to mobilize other community members
- Motivated and interested in new learning, self-discovery, community exposure, and networking
- Ready to use their LA Program experience in serving the community
Program Requirements/Expectations
In order to complete the LA 30 Program, participants are required to:
- Attend a half-day orientation session on September 21 (mandatory attendance)
- Attend a two-day, one-night opening retreat from October 7 – 8 (mandatory attendance)
- Attend a full-day program once a month, from October to April
- Attend a full-day graduation on May 9 (mandatory attendance)
- Engage in pre- and post-class reflections, exercises, and reading assignments
- Participate in and contribute to a small team project and other activities that may take at least 20 additional hours outside of scheduled meeting times
Attendance Policy
Participants are expected to clear their schedules and attend every program day. Absences affect the cohesion of the class and diminish everyone’s learning. The full commitment of each class member is critical to the success of the program and each class member’s experience.
Attendance is mandatory for the September Orientation, October Overnight Retreat, and May Graduation. In addition, there are attendance requirements for the remaining program days, allowing participants 8 hours of excused absence for unexpected emergencies.
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 in order to officially graduate. If a participant misses more than 16 hours, he or she will be asked to withdraw from the program and forfeit tuition.
Other Commitments
LA Program participants contribute time and effort to a Leadership Learning Team project and participate in a number of additional activities outside the monthly meeting days to enrich and complete the program experience. The schedule and time commitment outside of class time, for the project and other activities, requires at least 20 hours over the 9-month period.
Attitude
Participants must bring an open mind, a willingness to listen and seek to understand other perspectives, and a commitment to community service. Participants are asked to contribute to discussions as well as give others an opportunity to contribute. The LA Program is a unique experience; many graduates emphasize that “you get out of it what you put into it.” Participants should be ready to engage fully, build trust with classmates, and embrace new experiences/perspectives.
Graduation Policy
Ultimately, Leadership Asheville reserves the right to make graduation decisions contingent upon fulfilling all program requirements. This includes, but is not limited to, attendance, team project assignments, readings, exercises, and out-of class activities.
Post-Graduation
After completing the program, graduates are expected to volunteer 2 years of service to the Leadership Asheville organization.
LA 30 Meeting Dates
| 2011 | 2012 |
| Wednesday, September 21 | Wednesday, January 11 |
| Half-Day Orientation | Program Day |
| Friday, October 7 – Saturday, October 8 | Wednesday, February 8 |
| Overnight Retreat | Program Day |
| Wednesday, October 12 | Wednesday, March 14 |
| Program Day | Field Trip Day |
| Wednesday, November 9 | Wednesday, April 11 |
| Field Trip Day | Program Day |
| Wednesday, December 14 | Wednesday, May 9 |
| Program Day | Graduation |
Tuition
The amount of tuition for each participant is $2,500. To demonstrate and solidify the personal commitment necessary to ensure the best experience possible, each participant is asked to personally pay at least $200, with the balance paid by the candidate’s firm or organization, if applicable. At this time, tuition may only be paid by check.
Employee Sponsorships
All applicants are eligible regardless of their own or their employers’ abilities to financially support their participation. Program participant sponsors are expected to support their employees to the best of their ability by giving them time to participate and contributing to tuition.
For-profit, private sector sponsors are encouraged to contribute additional funds to provide financial assistance to those participants who are employed by small nonprofit organizations, public sector entities, or self-employed.
Internal Process
Some corporations/organizations have an internal application process for selecting applicants from their organizations. Applicants should check with their employers before submitting an application.
Financial Assistance
Assistance may be available on a limited basis. Those seeking financial assistance should complete the online Financial Assistance Request Form. Requests are confidential and have no bearing on the selection process.
Assistance will not be granted for the entire tuition amount under any circumstances. If granted, assistance ranges from $250 to $1,000. Award amounts are based on need, the number of requests received, and the amount of funds available each year.
Priority for financial assistance is given to participants who are employed by small nonprofit organizations, public sector entities, or self-employed. Participants employed by large, private-sector companies are not eligible for assistance.
Applying to LA 30
Applicants must complete and submit:
- The online LA 30 Application
- A signed copy of the LA 30 Commitment Statement
- The online Financial Assistance Request Form (if applicable)
| Timeline |
| Friday, June 3 |
| Application Deadline |
| Friday, June 17 |
| Applicant Notification |
| Friday, June 24 |
| Financial Assistance Notification |
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:
| A-B Technical Community College
Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce Asheville Citizen-Times Asheville City Schools Asheville Radio Group Asheville Regional Airport Authority Asheville Savings Bank BB&T Bank Beverly Hanks and Associates The Biltmore Company Biltmore Farms, Inc. Boys, Arnold, & Company Buncombe County Buncombe County Schools The Buyer’s Agent of Asheville Carolina First Bank Children First City of Asheville Christ School Colton, Groome, & Company Communication Service, Inc. Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Eaton Corporation First Citizens Bank Givens Estates Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa The Health Adventure HomeTrust Bank Junior League of Asheville Land-of-Sky Regional Council Laurey’s Catering and Gourmet-to-Go |
Manna Food Bank
McGuire, Wood and Bissett, P.A. Mills Manufacturing Corporation Mission Healthcare Foundation Mission Hospital Mountain Area Health Education Center Mountain Housing Opportunities North Carolina Outward Bound Pack Place Education, Arts & Science Center Patla, Straus, Robinson and Moore, P.A. Pisgah Legal Services Progress Energy RBC Centura Bank Rathbun Center Sisters of Mercy Southern Community Bank & Trust Thoms Rehabilitation Hospital UNC Asheville United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County VA Medical Center Van Winkle Law Firm Volvo Construction Equipment of North America Wachovia Bank Ward and Smith, P.A. Warren Wilson College WCQS/WYQS WLOS Western Carolina University Young Transportation YMCA of Western North Carolina YWCA of Asheville |
