Photo by Megan Smith, NVCF
Program Details
The Community Leadership Program is designed to cultivate a network of collaborative leaders who are committed to contributing to a thriving community in Butte County.
Program Overview
A 10-month leadership program features a well-rounded curriculum that includes an orientation, a weekend leadership retreat, nine monthly day sessions, and culminates in a graduation celebration. Participants will also have the chance to engage in other leadership development events to further refine their skills.
Program Duration
one year
Monthly day-long sessions
Application Due
2027-2028 Cohort: TBD
Program Location
Each month, the cohort meets for a full day session at locations throughout Butte County
Program Design
Each year, Lead selects 24-30 individuals who have a passion for creating a thriving community in Butte County. Through an application and interview process, we aim to identify candidates who are committed to fostering collaboration and inclusivity, as well as driving positive change throughout the region.
Sample Program Schedule
*Topics subject to change
July
Program Orientation
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
August
Leadership Retreat Weekend
Friday 12:00 PM to
Sunday 2:00 PM
The program orientation is an evening to meet the selected class for the season and to receive important information for the duration of the 10-month leadership program.
LEADButte kicks off with a leadership retreat over 3 days to set the tone for the rest of the program. At the leadership retreat, participants will engage in interactive workshops with various trainers on collaboration, self-awareness and developing your own leadership values and philosophy.
September
Civic Life
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
In the first of a series of monthly sessions, LEADButte will offer a look into how government, democracy, civil discourse and public safety interact to create our community life together.
October
Economics
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Economic experts, business leaders, and community development professionals discuss job creation, economic growth, and sustainable practices. Participants explore ways to foster a resilient and diverse local economy.
November
Education
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
December
Social Services
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
January
Environment & Resilience
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
February
Health and Wellbeing
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
This session is an interactive and engaging exploration of innovative practices in education including emerging strategies to address the biggest challenges among leaders in education.
LEADButte brings together key figures in social services to discuss and address the various challenges faced by the community such as homelessness, poverty, and access to social support services.
This session explores leadership topics that emerge at the intersection of environmental concern and stewardship, disaster recovery, and building resilience.
Leaders from healthcare institutions, public health agencies, and community health initiatives share insights on healthcare access, preventative measures, and community health promotion.
March
Agriculture
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Farmers, agricultural experts, and environmental advocates discuss sustainable farming practices, food security, and the importance of supporting local agriculture. The day aims to strengthen the connection between urban and rural communities and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
April
People & Culture
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
This session celebrates the rich cultural tapestry of Butte County. Local artists, cultural leaders, and community organizers discuss the importance of arts and culture in community identity and well-being.
May
Leadership Integration
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
The last of our monthly sessions, the leadership integration session reviews the lessons learned from our previous workshops into a forward-facing look at how we as collaborative leaders could practically integrate lessons learned into practices in our journey as community leaders.
May
Graduation
6 PM - 8:30 PM
The LEADButte culminates in an evening of celebration surrounded by our colleagues, family and friends with community leaders who have participated throughout the program.
Program Outcomes
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Develop tools and practices to become more self-aware, understanding the characteristics, strengths, skills and abilities you bring to your role.
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Cultivate a deeper awareness of the community you serve.
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Develop practices that strengthen deep collaboration with other peers and organizations.
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Gain an understanding of emotional intelligence and learn skills to increase it.
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Learn best practices for engaging in difficult conversations, including addressing the values of diversity related to belonging, dignity and justice.
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Develop a stronger and wider network within the community.
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Gain the skills you need to become active community influencers and work toward a thriving community.
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Be ready to use your learned skills to cultivate a united and connected community.
Key Program Components
Lead is focused on building a leadership foundation that values collaboration, trust and inclusion. This community leadership program is an extensive initiative to invest in our leaders the values needed to help build a thriving community. We are ready to make the positive changes needed in this community, and we hope this program can help support those who share that same dedication.
1
Leadership Workshops
Lead engages a dynamic and diverse group of coaches, trainers and facilitators to provide insightful learning experiences around developing a collaborative mindset, skills and practices around building trust and learning how to have effective and hard conversations, and developing the kind of relationships that are needed to lead well.
2
Engagement with Community Leaders
Each session is intentionally designed to explore a different sector in Butte County while fostering the development of essential leadership skills. To provide an understanding of the local community's unique challenges and opportunities, these immersive sessions incorporate presentations, in-depth discussions with a diverse group of community leaders across various sectors, participatory skill workshops, group activities, exercises, and tours.
3
Collaborative Group Project
Another key component of the program is a collaborative group project, which encourages participants to apply their insights and skills in a real-world context. By working together, members will not only build strong relationships within the cohort but also contribute to the betterment of the community.
4
A Network of Collaborative Leaders
The Lead program offers the opportunity for participants to build a strong network with their cohort, as well as with the program's leadership and faculty. This collaborative network enables the exchange of ideas, experiences, and resources, fostering lasting relationships that support continued growth and impact even after the program concludes.
Cost
Tuition: $2,500
Lead is dedicated to building a thriving community, so this community leadership program is not designed to make any profit but instead realize measurable civic returns instead. With this investment in our future leaders, we ask that participants of this program invest in themselves through the commitment this type of program requires. The total tuition fee is $2,500 over ten months. For those who might find this a barrier, partial scholarships are available based on stated need. A scholarship request form will be provided with the application.
Photo by Megan Smith, NVCF