Sigma Class 2010-2011
Be a part of a collaborative process.
Build new and lasting relationships.
Create real results.
What others are saying…
“The Institute for Civic Leadership is challenging outdated paradigms and
building a new framework for powerful, sustainable change within our
communities.” Jeff Jordan, Deputy Director, Midcoast Regional
Redevelopment Authority
“I learned invaluable lessons at the ICL Intensive that has helped me grow
my business, improving our process, relationships, and results.” Scott
Simons, President, Scott Simons Architects
“The knowledge and skills that I gained from the Intensive have positively
impacted every aspect of my professional life, from the way that I coach my
staff to how I approach my role as a leader in the Portland Community.”
Lelia DeAndrade, Senior Program Officer, Maine Community Foundation
“The principles of collaborative leadership have produced dramatic results
when addressing both organizational challenges and civic needs. There’s no
training I’d recommend more highly.” Mike Dubyak, C.E.O., Wright Express
ICL Mission Statement:
The Institute for Civic Leadership builds Maine’s civic capacity by training, supporting, engaging and convening a growing network of highly trained, effective leaders through its variety of programs and services.
ICL Vision Statement:
Maine is a state where innovative and inclusive leadership models have taken hold, growing beyond traditional leadership boundaries where:
• Full leadership potential of our community is engaged.
• New, emerging, and existing leaders reach out to one another, effectively address civic challenges and seize opportunities.
• Our leaders have the skills and access to broad networks to do great work on behalf of our communities and our organizations.
• The Institute for Civic Leadership is sought out as the resource by those who want to step up and lead.
What is the ICL Leadership Intensive?
“Through the Intensive I had hoped to develop leadership skills and become part of an expansive network of civic-minded colleagues. The Intensive far exceeded my hopes.”
Gloria Melnick, Executive Vice President, Youth Alternatives
ICL's Leadership Intensive is an experience-based, skill development curriculum for senior and middle management of public, private and nonprofit organizations. The training teaches collaborative leadership and problem solving techniques.
The nine-month, 14-day program begins in September and ends in May. The program includes a three day overnight expeditionary learning component let by Outward Bound Professional (www.outwardboundprofessional.org) and a practicum project using the tools and skills in a real issue facing a Maine community. Sessions are facilitated by internationally recognized instructors, as well as guest presenters.
Graduates finish the program with new skills that advance their ability to effectively lead change in their organization and their communities or group. By increasing participants’ capacities as leaders and by creating a network of skilled leaders, the ICL Leadership
2010 – 2011 Sigma Program Dates
2010
Wed & Thurs September 15th and 16th Mon - Wed October 11th – 13th ** Thurs & Fri November 4th and 5th Thurs & Fri December 9th and 10th
2011
Thurs & Fri January 13th and 14th Thurs & Fri February 10th and 11th Friday March 25th (snow date) Friday May 6th
Annual Recognition Celebration Luncheon (Sigma Graduation) - Wednesday, June 15th
**Attendance at Outward Bound is mandatory since it is integral to the course. For individuals with limited physical strength, endurance and/or mobility or cultural requirements, Outward Bound will make accommodations in partnership with the individual. No previous experience is necessary.
Time Commitment & Expectations
Attendance is expected for all monthly sessions. In addition to attending the training on the dates above, participants are given reading assignments and exercises to encourage reflection.
Each class member is also part of a collaborative leadership practicum project team that works together from November to May on a Maine civic issue. The purpose of the practicum project is to provide a forum to use and refine the skills, concepts and tools taught in the course. It is integral to the Leadership Intensive and will require time outside of class. Practicum teams have time to work together during each session. In addition, it is expected that each team will meet once or twice between sessions. Please feel free to contact ICL at 773-3254 with any questions or concerns.
A sample of Practicum Projects and collaborating organizations:
The Telling Room
Fairchild Charitable Giving Program
Brunswick High School Environmental Study YMCA Outreach to Immigrant Communities Crossroads for Women
Community Network Television Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
Justice Access Group
School District Consolidation Portland Housing Authority Youth Civic Engagement Volunteers of America Realize Maine
NAACP
Safe Families Partnership Consumer Council of Maine
Leadership Intensive Session Outcomes
September Session
Program Framing: Collaborative Leadership, Learning Community, and Civic Work Understanding of the scope and purpose of the ICL program
Shared framework for thinking about Civic Engagement and Collaborative Leadership
Understanding of the roles and tasks of collaborative leaders
A learning community of class members who are beginning to know and value each other
Practice and skill in change models for communities and regions Readiness for the Outward Bound experience
October Session
Transforming Experience: Outward Bound Expanded perceptions of self and others
Practice working effectively together on complex challenges
Understanding of the barriers to personal learning and the opportunities for personal insight
Expanded leadership capacities that foster collaboration Broader range of possibilities for personal success Experience with the class group as a learning community
November Session
Building Community Partnerships & Collaborations: Applications for Facilitating Change
Understanding of the challenge of leadership in the southern Maine region Understanding of the principles and characteristics of successful collaboration in
communities and regions
Definition of the leadership capacities necessary for successful collaboration Clarity about the characteristics and importance of the “civic community” Initiation of the work of the practicum projects
December Session
Skills-Building for Facilitative Leadership
Familiarity and practice in the skills of facilitation, collaboration and building agreements in groups
Creation of organizational vision statement and engaging others in the vision Work with the practicum group in setting up the project for success by applying
skills and concepts
Understanding of Facilitative Leadership practices and complex project planning disciplines
Understanding of the tools of inquiry and advocacy to coach and build cultural competence
Leadership Intensive Session Outcomes, cont.
January Session
Designing and Facilitating Community Change
Practice in the skills related to civic engagement with appropriate facilitation tools and techniques
Experience with a current change situation in understanding how the tools are applied
Work with practicum group in planning the project, while applying skills and concepts
Reflection on one’s own diverse biography and its effect on leadership style Appreciation of individual experiences in this multicultural learning community Consultation to another practicum team’s dilemma
February Session
Inner Side of Leadership
Understanding of one’s own personal leadership journey Practice in the art of reflection
Enhanced appreciation of cultural diversity
Tools and pathways to life-long learning and self-knowledge Personal vision for leadership and legacy
Work with the practicum group in moving to action, while applying skills and concepts
May Session
Commitment to Community Applications and the Practice of Collaborative Leadership Presentation on the outcome of the practicum project
Evaluation of the program, testing the results against initial expectations Identification of ways to continue learning and working with alumni Celebration of the successful completion of the program
Tuition Information
• Tuition for the Institute for Civic Leadership’s 2010-2011 Leadership Intensive is $5250, and includes all meals, instructional materials and the three-day overnight Outward Bound experience.
• A non-refundable $50 application fee is due with your completed application; this fee is not applicable toward the tuition balance.
• To demonstrate and solidify the personal commitment necessary to ensure the best ICL experience possible, each participant is required to make a minimum personal tuition contribution of $250.
• A non-refundable deposit representing 20% of your full tuition ($1050 for full-paying participants) is due upon your acceptance in the program to hold your place in the class. Acceptance letters will be mailed in the end of May.
• The balance of tuition will be invoiced July 15th and is due by July 23rd. No refunds can be made after this date unless the reserved space in the program can be filled. Individual payment plans can be arranged.
• Up until September 10th, a 50% credit toward next year’s 15-day program will be issued for those who have a personal emergency requiring withdrawal from the program.
• Credits are non-refundable.
Scholarship Assistance
Thanks to supporting companies, organizations and ICL alum, scholarship assistance is available on a limited basis to ensure our ability to create a multi-dimensional group from the southern Maine region. Scholarships will be awarded based on need and availability of resources.
For those seeking scholarship support please request the Scholarship Request Form, which must be submitted with your application by contacting Celeste LaBadie at
[email protected] or by calling 773-3254 x101. Scholarship requests remain
confidential.
How do I apply?
To apply, you must request a formal electronic application by contacting Celeste LaBadie at [email protected] or by calling 773-3254 x101.
Applications are submitted electronically and are due by April 1st. The Recruitment and Selection Committee will announce the accepted participants by mail in late May.
Want to learn more? Do you have more questions?
Attend one of our Informational Open Houses held at Bernstein Shur (100 Middle Street, Portland) and meet Intensive graduates, ICL Recruitment and Selection Committee members and current members of the Rho Class.
Wednesday, February 24th from 5:30 – 7pm Tuesday, March 2nd, from 5:30 – 7pm
To attend, please register by calling Celeste LaBadie, ICL’s Development Manager at 773-3254 x101 or by email at [email protected]
ICL Diversity Statement
ICL views inclusion and diversity as core values that are part of every aspect of our work. As defined in our ICL values, effective civic process requires the inclusion of the diverse perspectives and experiences of all people without regard to their economic, social, or political relationship to institutions or positions of power and without regard to who they are, where they are from, or what they do.
We further define our commitment to diversity as concerted action toward strengthening civic capacity by:
Including a broad array of people in our programs, consulting, civic action and organizational activities.
Speaking up about the leadership challenges related to access, inclusion, discrimination, oppression, and institutional barriers, and teaching skills that contribute to more inclusive, positive environments for all.
Supporting individuals and organizations in the community who experience cultural and institutional barriers in their civic leadership involvement.
Exemplifying the potential of a well-managed, diversified organization that values its staff and stakeholders. In this capacity, we focus on:
· Modeling the ICL values of courage, balance, openness, and integrity in all aspects of our work – training, consulting, and working with staff, board members and the community.
· Making our programs accessible to all, through careful recruitment and maximizing scholarship assistance.
· Striving to provide accommodation for any barrier that limits access to an ICL program, consulting or work with the organization.
· Auditing our programs on a regular basis for curriculum content that reflects our commitment to diversity, and for evidence of an inclusive and accessible training environment
· Auditing our internal organizational practices to ensure that we model excellence in managing diversity and identifying areas where improvement is needed.
