Emerging Leaders Program

ICL EMERGING LEADERS is an innovative program that prepares and launches emerging leaders who are 22 to 40 to successful nonprofit board and committee leadership roles in Maine. This multi-pronged, 3-month program provides leadership development, mentoring, matching, transitioning and follow-up to participants who are eager to become more engaged in their communities. In return, participants commit to serve on a Maine nonprofit board or committee for six months or up to three years, depending on their assignment. EMERGING LEADERS was first launched in 2010 as Young Emerging Leaders, and was originally seed funded by Norton Insurance and Financial with WEX sponsorship. Studies show that young leaders who are actively involved in their communities are twice as likely to stay and contribute to those communities.

Thanks to funding from our supporters, participants pay only $500 for a comprehensive leadership program that includes all training sessions, and board and mentor matching! (Actual program cost is $2,500 per participant.) Organizations who send employees to EMERGING LEADERS may be able to help their staff with some or all of the cost of the program. ICL encourages prospective participants to talk with their employers about this as soon as possible.

Now Accepting Nominations and Applications:

To apply as an EMERGING LEADERS participant – or if you are a nonprofit board interested in accepting a program participant to serve on your board or committee – contact Jan Kearce at jkearce@civicleadership.org or 773-3254 (ext. 105). Please follow these links to download info packet, nomination forms, application and more:

Program Goals:

  • To identify, recruit, train and match emerging leaders to board and committee leadership positions with nonprofit organizations.
  • To create a network of talented and resourceful emerging leaders who will establish strong and lasting civic relationships that are personally and professionally beneficial.
  • To increase awareness for nonprofit agencies and professionals of the talent and knowledge of this under-utilized group by showing the value in having a diversity of voices at the decision-making table.
  • To develop a sustained commitment among emerging leaders to their communities so they are more likely to stay and contribute to the economy.

EMERGING LEADERS prepares participants for nonprofit board leadership roles, by providing three months of leadership development training.  The program is led by ICL’s Director of Training, Laura Moorehead and co-facilitator Andrew Jones, who carefully match the interests and skills of participants with the needs expressed by boards in our communities. The program features several integrated components including:

Leadership Development:

Training includes leadership skills, concepts, and essentials for understanding boards and committees and the responsibilities of serving on them. The program spans September through December and includes four full-day sessions, five evening / half-day sessions, and inter-session practicum work.

Mentoring:

Participants gain an invaluable opportunity to partner with a mentor to share leadership perspectives and learn important insights. ICL will match program participants with volunteer mentors based on information provided in the initial application process and follow-up communication. Together, participants and their mentors will negotiate mentor partnership agreements based on their mutual needs and styles.

Matching:

Participant interests, skills and experience will be matched with needs of nonprofit boards or committees, to create win-win outcomes for both parties. Program participants will commit to serve on their matched board or committee for an agreed upon term (typically a minimum six months for committee service and three years for board service).

Transition:

Information and education help ensure a successful transition for program participants, welcoming boards and committees.

Follow-up:

ICL will check in with participants to ensure their roles with the nonprofit organizations are progressing. Additionally, ICL will assess programmatic learnings to benefit future efforts.

ICL EMERGING LEADERS is generously funded by Norton Insurance and Financial and sponsored by WEX, Fairchild Semiconductor, United Way, Maddy Corson and other individual donors. Partners include Rippleffect and the Portland Symphony Orchestra.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

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