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What is a Community Leadership Program?

Community Leadership Programs are place-based. They develop leadership skills of new and emerging local leaders. This is achieved through an 10-month long experiential program that may include a series of seminars, workshops, study tours and the implementation of local projects. Participants come from all walks of life, and they have a common desire to improve their community through their active participation in and for the communities they live, play, create and work in.

The Victorian Model
Unique to Victoria, we have ten established community leadership programs operating across regional Victoria. Participants have access to local, state and national leaders, discussing, sharing and learning about issues and opportunities of regional relevance. Participants develop a greater sense of self, building their local networks and developing their leadership skills in a safe and supportive environment.

With a combined alumni of over 4000, our leaders often take up the challenge within their communities. That sense of belonging and the passion to step up as a leader was recently shown when East Gippsland experienced unprecedented bushfires. And just as we come to expect when the call to action came – our alumnus stepped up in spades as Gippsland Community Leadership Program (GCLP) called for volunteers to support Gippsland Farmer Relief Warehouse to help pack much needed hampers for those affected by the fires.

“There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.”
– Margaret J. Wheatley

This is leadership in action and this is why Community Leadership Programs exist.

But don’t take our word for it, in 2017 Social Ventures Australia conducted a review of community leadership programs identifying that our programs exemplify how community leadership can be developed through community-led programs that take a comprehensive approach to leadership development. Read more.

We at RLA want to support the growth of community leadership programs across other rural and regional locations in Australia and so by becoming a member of RLA you will have access to our tools, templates and have the combined wisdom of over 150 years of support to develop your own community leadership program in your region. Contact us now for more information. e: ask@rla.org.au

Kat Baddeley

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