Circle of Leadership Academy

The Center for Leadership Innovation is pleased to announce our partnership with Native Americans in Philanthropy to deliver the Circle of Leadership Academy (CoLA). 

CoLA is an 18-month leadership development program that is designed to enhance and empower Native American leadership in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors.  CoLA engages emerging and mid-career Native American leaders and educates them in the field of philanthropy and nonprofits through professional development, networking and mentorship opportunities.

The first national summit will kickoff CoLA on April 24-25, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.  A completed CoLA Application Form and two Reference Forms are due to the Native Americans in Philanthropy office by Friday, January 13, 2012. 

For more information about the CoLA please contact:  Daniel Lemm, Director of Programs and Finance via e-mail at dlemm@nativephilanthropy.org or Irene Packer-Halsey, TCLI Senior Vice President at ipacker@CenterforLeadershipInnovation.org.

More About CoLA

As Native American leadership continues to be developed across the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors it is imperative to provide emerging and mid-career leaders with the tools necessary for future success.  The kinds and complexity of challenges these leaders will encounter and the number of areas in which they require additional skills and knowledge enhancement is ever-growing.  Likewise, the volume of anticipated leadership transitions within philanthropy and nonprofits over the next five years indicates that a narrow window of opportunity exists to prepare pending leadership.

Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) and The Center for Leadership Innovation (TCLI) have designed the Circle of Leadership Academy (CoLA) to enhance and empower Native American leadership in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors.  CoLA engages emerging and mid-career Native American leaders and educates them in the field of philanthropy and nonprofits through professional development, networking and mentorship opportunities.  The empowerment of Native American leadership is an essential factor toward building healthy and sustainable communities enhanced by the Native spirit of generosity.

CoLA effectively enhances the philanthropic and nonprofits sectors by empowering a cadre of Native American leaders.   CoLA Leaders will create a network of individuals through NAP’s Regional Action Networks, approximately 3-7 CoLA Leaders from each of the seven member-identified regions (21-49 CoLA Leaders in total) will be selected to actively participate in knowledge enhancement webinars, regional convenings, national summits and complete a career action plan.  CoLA Leaders will also share their experience and network with seasoned professionals through NAP’s National Leadership Networks. 

The CoLA Leaders are selected through a competitive application process directed by regional advisory committees comprised of Native and non-Native urban and rural leaders within the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors.  The CoLA will consist of both emerging and mid-career leaders.  Emerging leaders are generally defined as individuals who are on the verge of creating and leading real change in their community.  Mid-career leaders are generally defined as individuals who are creating and leading real change but are seeking leadership development opportunities in order to further hone their skills.

 

CoLA Goals:

• Foster leadership skills rooted in Native values and traditions;
• Introduce the most up-to-date practices of philanthropic and nonprofit leadership; 
• Expand the understanding of career options and the development of skills required for an effective career in philanthropy and/or nonprofit work;
• Provide an in-depth look at the role of philanthropy in Native communities;
• Broaden and deepen the understanding of issues affecting Native communities on a regional and national basis; and
• Establish a leadership pipeline connected to an engaged network of NAP and TCLI partners and allies.  All of this is offered within the context of culturally appropriate trainings and interactions.
• Major knowledge enhancement curriculum areas include community leadership & governance, organizational development, financial management, program development, fundraising, grantmaking, communications and evaluation.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information about the CoLA please contact Daniel Lemm, Director of Programs and Finance via e-mail at dlemm@nativephilanthropy.org or Irene Packer-Halsey, TCLI Senior Vice President at ipacker@CenterforLeadershipInnovation.org.