OVERVIEW

The Environmental Leadership Program Southeast Regional Network Training Series for Emerging Leaders is an innovative program designed to build the leadership capacity of the environmental and social change field's most promising emerging practitioners in the Southeast region.

We define emerging leaders as practitioners who are relatively new to the environmental field with approximately three to ten years of experience. We define "environmental" broadly to include public health, transportation policy and planning, economic development, and broad-based community organizing.

Each year, our Regional Networks select a new class of fellows to join ELP's community of environmental professionals from diverse backgrounds, sectors, and areas of expertise. The year-long Training Series offers unique networking opportunities, intensive leadership and skills training, support, and time for personal and professional reflection. The Training Series provides an opportunity for talented individuals to have a unique and substantial impact on environmental and social progress in the Southeast region through collaboration with other emerging leaders.

The application process for the Class of 2009 is now open. Please click here to find out how to become a Fellow.

Required Commitments
Applicants for the 2009 ELP Training Series must commit to participating in three retreats held in the Southeast, in their entirety: March 12-15; June 11-15; and November 13-15. Locations to be determined. While Fellows must participate in additional activities throughout the year and complete periodic assignments, they are expected to continue their professional jobs or studies.

Retreats
Retreats lie at the heart of the ELP Training Series. Through hands-on training, community-building activities, and participatory group discussions held at retreats, fellows learn the practical skills of public leadership, develop a strong peer network, and explore ways to achieve lifelong personal and professional goals. Retreats offer an array of training opportunities on topics including leadership development, diversity, strategic communications, coalition building, and public writing, which help fellows increase their effectiveness and professional expertise.

Fellows participate in discussions on the current state and future of environmental politics and practices; the role of all types of diversity in the environmental field; and the complexities of stimulating public dialogue, negotiating institutional politics, and building diverse coalitions. In addition, fellows engage in peer-learning sessions on current environmental issues, discussions with established environmental leaders, and conversations about leadership. Retreats also offer the opportunity for personal reflection and play a critical role in helping fellows form a collaborative and supportive peer network.

Personal Leadership Plans
Before the first retreat, each fellow is required to draft a personal leadership plan (PLP) to outline specific goals for their ELP participation and the activities they will conduct to meet them. This draft is due the first day of the first retreat. The PLP helps fellows identify short and long-term personal and professionals goals and provides a written guide for their ELP experience.

Activity Fund
ELP Senior Fellows, individuals who have completed the Training Series, can request grants, through a competitive selection process, from the ELP Activity Fund to support collaborative leadership-building activities through specific projects. Senior fellows are encouraged to pursue activities that enhance their public leadership skills, build community, and strive for tangible environmental and social change outcomes. The Activity Fund offers fellows the opportunity to collaborate with others within the ELP community to expand their work beyond their specific area of expertise. In addition to funding Activity Fund projects, ELP provides access to professional support services, such as consultation on writing, media, technical, legal, and financial issues.

Optional Activities
In addition to the required elements of the Training Series, ELP fellows have the opportunity to participate in optional activities throughout the year. These activities vary from year to year, and may include: in-depth training workshops; distance-learning courses; individual consultation with trainers; discussion groups on particular topics; working with a peer mentor; and networking events or collaborations with other ELP fellows.

Regional Issues Forums
ELP sponsors Regional Issues Forums to provide a venue for dialogue on key environmental and social change issues facing the Southeast region and create a platform to raise the visibility of emerging environmental and social change leaders in the region. Fellows are encouraged to serve as speakers and lead the forums.

Senior Fellows Network
ELP considers the active one-year Training Series as only the first phase of a lifecycle of support and participation in ELP. Once fellows complete the Training Series, they become part of a dynamic group of Senior Fellows.

Tuition
The Training Series for Emerging Leaders is provided to participants through the generous sponsorship of foundations and donors to the Environmental Leadership Program.

For further information, contact us at:

Environmental Leadership Program
Southeast Regional Network
202.332.3320 (office)
205.532.1719 (cell)
southeast(at)elpnet.org

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