| THE PROGRAM |
| LEADERSHIP AUSTIN is aimed at all qualified individuals who
actively participate in community roles and have a desire to
increase their community involvement in order to assume present
and future leadership roles. LEADERSHIP AUSTIN builds civic
awareness, leadership skills, and helps develop relationships to
better connect individuals to the community. The eight-month
program begins with an opening work session in September,
followed by a series of all-day monthly sessions, one each in
October through April. The April program concludes with a closing
work session and graduation program. |
| Curriculum topics include: |
Program speakers include: |
- Education
- Public Safety and The Law
- Local Government
- Health and Human Services
- Business and EconomicDevelopment
- Quality of Life
- Leadership and Diversity
|
- Elected Officials
- Community Officials
- Specialists in Rural and Professional Fields
- Business Leaders
- Academicians
|
| The LEADERSHIP AUSTIN format combines guest lectures, open
discussions, onsite visits, and class interaction. Class members also
have the opportunity to be specifically involved in particular areas
of their choosing. |
| PARTICIPANTS |
Up to twenty people are selected to participate in each year?s
LEADERSHIP AUSTIN program. There is no age limit, and anyone
may apply who is a resident of the Austin area. Participants are
selected on their individual merits by a selection committee in a
competitive admission process.
The selection committee places great importance on the information
furnished in the applications. All candidate nominations will be
accepted through Riverland Community College.
The class selection process seeks individuals from a cross-section of
the community with different backgrounds to reflect Austin?s
educational, political, social, and cultural diversity. The selection
committee strives to select a balanced class based on the belief that a
significant portion of new knowledge and understanding of the
community will come from personal interaction within the group.
While participants have diverse backgrounds, all share three basic
characteristics:
- The ability to set and achieve personal goals.
- A demonstrated personal commitment to community service.
- A record of achievement in community involvement indicating past accomplishments and potential leadership abilities.
Applicants not selected in any given year are encouraged to apply for
the program in subsequent years. |
| THE ORGANIZATION |
| LEADERSHIP AUSTIN is a program of the Austin Chamber of
Commerce and the Center for Training and Development at
Riverland Community College. It is managed and administered by a
Day Leader Advisory Board. This Advisory Board serves as the
policy-making body of LEADERSHIP AUSTIN. |
| ATTENDANCE AND MEETING DATES |
LEADERSHIP AUSTIN requires a serious commitment of time and
energy. Candidates meet for a full day each month, meeting
September through April. Attendance at the work sessions and allday
program meetings is imperative. Class participants are expected
to attend all sessions with the exception of an extreme emergency or
illness. Any sessions missed must be made up the following year in
order for a participant to graduate from the program.
Individuals who cannot attend the September Opening Work
Session, April Closing Work Session, or any of the scheduled
monthly all-day sessions, will be expected to inform LEADERSHIP
AUSTIN early enough so that an alternate applicant may be selected
to participate for the year. |
| WHAT IS LEADERSHIP AUSTIN? |
LEADERSHIP AUSTIN offers an annual community education and
development program designed to provide an ongoing source of
motivated leaders informed about the community and its issues.
Participants become better prepared for decision-making positions
for a wide variety of local groups and institutions and more effective
employees in the workplace. Its purpose is to:
- Identify potential community leaders.
- Acquaint such individuals with the community's continuing needs, challenges, and resources.
- Encourage potential leaders to become involved in Austin's future.
- Provide a rapport and peer relationship among participants, day leaders, and other key civic leaders.
- Develop leadership skills for success.
|
| APPLICATIONS, TUITION AND SCHOLARSHIPS |
Applications for this year's program will be accepted through June 1, 2008.
Cost of program is $599.
This program
is approved as a 2-credit course. SMGT 1020.
Official applications should be returned to:
LEADERSHIP AUSTIN
A Community Leadership Program
Riverland Community College
C/O Lois Nelson, Curriculum Director
1900 Eighth Avenue NW
Austin, MN 55912 |
