Information Sessions to be held in late October, early November

(FLINT, Mich., Oct. 20, 2016) – Leadership NOW – an intensive leadership development program for professionals who work and/or live in Genesee County –  is seeking candidates for its next cohort, which will begin Jan. 20. The year-long program will host six information sessions in late October and early November.

“Our goal is to strengthen Flint and Genesee County by growing the region’s leadership capacity,” said Michelle Hill, Director of Shared Services at the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, which administers the program in partnership with United Way of Genesee County. “The more effective our local leaders are, the stronger our businesses, nonprofits and municipalities will be.”

Up to 20 applicants will be selected for the program, during which they will undergo an in-depth leadership assessment, 10 hours of one-on-one coaching and 100+ hours of training.

Participants will also develop and implement a collaborative project with a focus on organizational or community enhancement.

“My participation in Leadership NOW has helped expand my thinking and created a different framework regarding potential partners and collaborators,” said Claudnyse Jenkins, a participant in Leadership NOW’s current cohort.

As Executive Director of Weiss Child Advocacy, Jenkins recently put some of the program’s lessons into practice by implementing two shared services initiatives at her workplace. The Advocacy Center will now share facilities maintenance/snow removal services with one organization and lawn care with another – two partnerships that have reduced costs for all three organizations.

According to Jenni Dones, Program Manager for BEST Project at United Way of Genesee County, the program has been likened to taking a masters-level course by previous participants and facilitators.

"We bring in experts from across the country to lead training in critical subjects, such as building a diverse team and creating a culture of inquiry,” Dones said.  “By the time this program ends, each participant will have a thorough understanding of their personal leadership styles and how to create effective professional partnerships.”

Leadership NOW is designed for business, nonprofit and municipal professionals, and emerging leaders. Applicants for the third cohort are required to attend one of the following information sessions, to be held either at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, at 500 S. Saginaw St., Flint, or the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan, at 111 E. Court St., Flint.

Upcoming dates include:

Applications will be distributed during the information sessions and are due November 18.

Leadership NOW is made possible with support from Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Mott Community College and Ruth Mott Foundation.

For more information about Leadership now, read these fast facts.

To register for an information session, visit www.flintandgenesee.org/leadershipnow.