A new initiative for the Center for Nonprofit Management, the Nonprofit Leadership Development Program (NLDP), finished five full days of intensive, dynamic hands-on leadership development in December 2008. “I appreciated being elbow to elbow with my colleagues who could share similar struggles and know that I am not alone,” wrote one satisfied participant.

Part of the Center’s new focus on leadership, the NLDP was generously supported by The California Wellness Foundation. Because of their support the program was offered free to participants including the cost of materials, books and meals. “The commitment of The California Wellness Foundation to increasing the capacity of nonprofits, particularly those serving communities of color, made this possible,” says Regina Birdsell, President and CEO of the Center.

NLDP was designed to provide a unique leadership experience for senior staff from local organizations to prepare them to take on the lead role as the executive director or CEO in a nonprofit and begin to build the next cohort of leaders.  Eligible applicants were drawn from organizations that are:
•    Actively interested in building more diverse ethnic and racial senior leadership;
•    Serving communities of color;
•    Considered a health or human services-related organization;
•    A stable, well-governed, and fiscally sound organization; and are
•    Based in Los Angeles County.

The program began in September 2008 with an orientation and reception. Participants immediately focused on learning about their own leadership styles and strategies to become more effective as a leader and manager. During the first session they tackled difficult questions about the role of diversity in all aspects of our work and lives, and the often lonely role of the nonprofit executive director.

The following four sessions covered a range of issues, including: managing organizational change, building a diverse and effective board, getting the most out of strategic planning and how to build relationships for strategic partnerships and sustainability. A diverse set of faculty instructors, facilitators and guest speakers shared their knowledge, expertise and experience, with plenty of time devoted to participants sharing their own stories and hearing those of peers. Participants also developed and shared a leadership project designed to identify and address an issue in their organization, giving them an opportunity to implement their new skills in the improvement of their organization in real time.

Maura Harrington, Chief Operating Officer of the Center developed the curriculum and says,
“We set out to provide sophisticated adult learning opportunities to increase the skills of individuals, but with the ultimate goal of boosting the ability of their organizations to serve communities.  The enthusiasm, commitment and hard work of the participants underscores the need for such a program.”

Congratulations to the graduates:

NLDP participants networked, learned from one another and increased their leadership skills in a variety of settings.

Written by Amy Sausser

 

Comments

lydia  - Executive Director   February 05 2010, 07:58 pm Beautiful. Congratulations to all, with a special salute to son, Issa! Love, Mom

Write comment
Name:
Email:
Title:
	Please input the anti-spam code that you can read in the image.

Powered by !JoomlaComment 3.26

3.26 Copyright (C) 2008 Compojoom.com / Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."