Residents interested in making a difference in the Geelong community are being encouraged to enrol in the City of Greater Geelong Community Leadership Program beginning 13 March 2024.
The program is delivered free of charge and offers an eight-month interactive experience with a focus on personal and professional growth opportunities for emerging leaders who are interested in strengthening their leadership skills and who strive to be leaders within the community.
Through the program participants will:
- connect with like-minded peers
- hear from inspiring people including recognised community and industry experts
- participate in unique and enjoyable activities and learning experiences and
- build a toolkit of materials and resources designed for future success.
Graduates of the program will become members of the Community Leadership Program Alumni giving them ongoing opportunities to network with other local leaders and partake in quarterly professional development workshops.
People of all backgrounds abilities and circumstances will be supported to participate in the program and the City will work with successful applicants to address potential barriers to participation.
Current and past participants have held many roles in the community such as working with children with disabilities running community groups volunteering with surf lifesaving and teaching English.
Greater Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan
The program provides a rare opportunity to learn from recognised community and industry experts. Many of these people are already making a real difference in our region ” Mayor Sullivan said. The opportunity to hear from like-minded people and to benefit from their experiences and insights provides an invaluable and unique learning experience. The application process has been competitive in the past so I encourage people thinking about this possibility to act quickly.
Deputy Mayor Anthony Aitken
The program will equip participants with the tools and resources for future success in their work and/or community life. The program covers areas from leadership skills to managing relationships building community engagement to time management. There are so many elements that will be of benefit to the participating residents whether they be focused on work or recreation and socialising.
Bellarine Living and Learning Centre Board of Committee member Melissa Hutchinson
When I applied for this program I thought it might be helpful to learn more about the leadership process I certainly learnt more than I expected. I loved the connections we all made and I loved the knowledge that was available to us plus the high standards of special guests that we had were amazing. We learnt all about marketing and project development and throughout this program I have been able to use the skills I learnt to develop a community project which to this day is still going. This program will not only develop your leadership skills but also you will develop long lasting friendships with great networking opportunities.
The opportunity is open to anyone with a strong interest in leadership who is 24 years or older and lives or volunteers in the City of Greater Geelong municipality.
The program comprised of eight face-to-face sessions will be delivered in a variety of venues throughout the City of Greater Geelong.
Anyone interested in joining the program is invited to compete the Community Leadership Program application form.
Applications close on Monday 27 November 2023.