Project Overview

Rationale

Projects are an excellent opportunity to learn leadership skills. Most projects incorporate complex sets of skills that are interdependent, require high-level coordination, and demand forethought. To provide practical application of the skills learned in the Community Action Leadership Academy, each participant will complete a leadership project.

Objectives of the leadership project are:

• To provide an opportunity for leadership skill development
• To meet a need based on an organizational or community   issue
• To prepare participants for future leadership activities
• To learn project management skills, including the writing of   goals and objectives and the creation of timelines and   budgets
• To provide participants with an opportunity to practice team   leadership and group management skills
• To provide an opportunity for participants to expand their   "network"

Guidelines of the leadership project are:

• Projects should include more than research or study on a   topic. The project should identify and begin implementation of   an innovative solution to a problem, which will include initial   research.
• The project must be approved by the Executive Director/CEO   of your agency
• The project can build on existing work, but it should be a   new project, rather than an on-going one.
• A formal written project proposal will be submitted to the   Program Director at the June class session.
• Participants are encouraged to work in teams. Team   members can include other CALA participants, non-CALA   participants from one's own agency, or non-CALA participants   from another agency.
• the participant's project proposal must include the attached   cover sheet as the cover page to the proposal, a project   abstract of 500 words or less, the mentor information form,   and the answers to the 7 questions listed on the attached   sheet
• Two progress reports are required.
• Participants should complete the project within 6 months
• Participants will evaluate their projects and submit a formal   written project report the Program Director at the January   class session
• Participants will also report on their project by making a   presentation to the other program participants and the   Project Support Committee during the closing retreat in   February

Support Provided to the Participants

• The participant's Executive Director?CEO should be consulted   for general guidance and resource information.
• Each participant is encouraged to approach his or her mentor   with most questions about the project. Mentors should be   chosen with the project subject area in mind.
• The Project Support Committee will be responsible for   reviewing the proposals and offering suggestions to enhance   and shape the project.
• The Project Support Committee members will serve as   mentors and coaches for the participants as they are working   on the projects. the committee members will provide   guidance and referrals as requested.
• The program staff will provide general assistance as needed.

Project ideas

A list of suggested project ideas will be provided. The participants may choose from this list or use his or her idea. The project must be approved by the Executive Director?CEO of the agency and the participant's supervisor. If you would like to see a list of past projects with summaries, please click here.