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| Core Components of the
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- Gain
awareness and understanding of the issues and challenges
facing the area;
- Identify
individual personality and leadership styles and develop
a personal mission statement;
- Develop
leadership skills in areas such as group dynamics and
team building, assertiveness training, communication,
negotiation, conflict resolution, public speaking and
presentation preparation;
- Gain
awareness of the variety of opportunities to become
involved community stewards;
- Be recognized
for their commitment to leadership and service for the
community; and
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Be invited to take an active role
with public, private and non-profit boards and
organizations helping to direct the future for the
community.
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| Skills Training Retreat |
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| The program begins in September with the
skills training retreat which focuses on activities to
develop and polish personal and professional leadership
skills. The retreat will focus on introducing the
participants to the program and each other; preparing and
delivering professional introductions; providing personal
and professional development including self-assessment of
personal mission, goal setting and personality and
leadership styles. Additional emphasis on communication and
listening skills; group dynamics and team building;
networking; and a
visioning exercises will be emphasized. |
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| Day Sessions |
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 From October through May, the class meets
the second Thursday of each month for full-day sessions
focused on particular topics relevant to the community.
These topics include the economy, education, agriculture and
environment, healthcare and human services, local government
and emergency services, state government, tourism and
recreation, and board preparation and communications. The
monthly sessions are held at traveling locations in the
Nebraska City area that best relate to the topic areas. The
program is designed to address specific areas rather than
vague concepts. Participants are required to attend the
retreat and all full-day sessions to graduate. |
| Internship |
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Participants are required to serve an
internship with a local non-profit or governmental group if
they have not served on a board or worked on a planning
committee within the past 3 years. The intention is to
provide the individual the opportunity to experience the
dynamics, roles and responsibilities of serving in a
leadership capacity directing an organization, program or
project.
Additionally, participants are required to attend a school
board and/or city council meeting. The purpose is to gain
insight of serving, processes and procedures for these areas
of leadership as well as to introduce them to other leader’s
roles and responsibilities within and for the community. |
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| Class Project |
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| Each year, as a group, the class will work
together to identify, develop and implement a class project
to benefit and meet needs within the community. This
provides participants the opportunity to gain hands-on
experience learning group process skills, evolving team
leadership, and cooperating as a group to conceive, plan,
budget, and implement the project. The project is to be
completed by the end of the program; however, some projects
may be extended beyond the end of the program. |
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| Passing the Torch |
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| The following year after graduation, the
graduates are responsible to organize and facilitate up to
two, day sessions for the incoming class. Participants
select a day session they wish to act as the chair and one
as co-chair. This opportunity challenges the knowledge,
skills and principles they gained, further developing these
objectives while empowering them to take a leadership
position training others. It also guarantees continued
program development molding to meet the needs of the
community, further sustaining the program for training
upcoming
emerging leaders. |
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“This is a wonderful program for new and
seasoned business men and women in the
community. It has been amazing to explore all of
the hidden treasures in Nebraska City. There are
wonderful businesses, organizations, schools,
attractions, and leadership in our city that are
top notch. I am very thankful for the support of
my employer to be a part of this program.
They’ve allowed one day off each month so I
could attend the sessions. They agree with me
that that this time away from the office was
very worthwhile. Having only lived here for
seven years, I’ve learned a lot about what our
community has to offer. I am truly blessed to be
a part of this community and to be able to raise
my children here.”
Melissa Turner, Arbor Bank
Class of 2006-07 |
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