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The Leadership Program has seven monthly training sessions, each featuring leadership enhancement activities and discussions with local leaders. Monthly sessions run from September to April, excluding December.

Sessions are held from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month, except for November, which meets on the second Tuesday.

Each session meets in a different location, such as: FTCC, County Courthouse, City Hall, Methodist University, County School System, the Arts Council, and FSU.

Leadership enhancement topics include: interpersonal skills, leadership styles, communication, teamwork, parliamentary procedure, legal issues, and financial issues.

Each session has a focus on a particular area for community service and issues, such as:

•  Non-profit Service Agencies

•  City and County Government

•  Arts and Culture Boards

•  Schools and Colleges

You will learn about opportunities for volunteer service and be able to decide where your abilities and interests fit best.

During the March session, participants meet with representatives of agencies and organizations from across the county, and ICL participants are expected to "sign up" with at least one organization to serve with in some capacity for the next year.

A graduation dinner honoring participants will complete the program in April.

After "graduation," mentoring by the partner agencies will assist you in the application process for boards and commissions on which you hope to serve.

There is no charge to participants. The sponsors support the program financially.

Requirements

•  Submit a program application.

•  Register as a Cumberland County Voter.

•  Be sincerely commited to serve the community.

•  Agree to attend each session of the Institute, if selected.  

•  Agree to perform 20 hours of volunteer service during the months of the program.

•  Agree to "sign up" with one community organization during the March session.

•  Be willing to pursue other opportunities, such as: appointment to a government or community board or commission, or other community leadership or service role.

Participant Benefits

•  Discover opportunities to participate in key community decisions.

•  Discuss local issues and solutions with community leaders.

•  Find volunteer leadership and service positions that best fit your interests.

•  Build relationships with others who are committed to the community.

•  Polish your leadership skills and abilities.