Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc.

Despite the economic slowdown, globally, nationally and locally, today’s nonprofit sector faces challenges in recruiting and retaining talented staff and managers to help lead organizations and realize their missions. Grantmakers, donors, board members and nonprofit leaders are increasingly concerned about nonprofit succession planning, particularly in relation to impact on long-term organizational capacity and effectiveness, as many longtime Executive Directors approach retirement age and others burn out.

The Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) is intended to develop competencies that are critical for building strong nonprofit organizations and to provide a generation of talented and committed nonprofit staff with peer learning and support in order to be successful in their positions. API mid-senior level staff and managers will focus on the most urgent needs for their roles to be more efficient, effective, and energized staff and managers: staff relations, managing resources, mission-driven focus, work/life balance and working up, down and across.

WHAT
The Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) is a three part, six-month program designed to build nonprofit organizational capacity by developing Asian and Pacific Islander (API) staff for future and current leadership and management roles in nonprofit organizations as well as increasing the retention of APIs who are committed to working in the nonprofit sector. Built on LEAP’s Leadership Framework and focused on leadership development from an Asian and Pacific Islander cultural lens, participants will be able to expand and strengthen their individual leadership skills as well as contribute to the growth and advancement of their organizations.

Through the program, mid-senior level nonprofit managers will develop an understanding of strategies needed to grow and strengthen their organization by learning directly from peers, long-time Executive Directors, nonprofit consultants, and funders. Participants will combine personal and professional growth within the context of their work, explore and advance meaningful leadership practices, and sharpen strategic management skills. Through a six-session coaching process, participants will be able to implement their lessons learned and sharpen their skills through one on one coaching and with their peer mentors.

WHY
Without new individuals to step into leadership positions in API communities, core infrastructure in these communities will suffer. Similarly, without talented API leaders who are both willing and able to speak out and be a voice for the API community as well as forge new ties and build coalitions with other communities, API communities will become insular and largely disconnected from the broader society. To ensure a continuous pipeline of emerging and effective API leaders, LEAP is launching the ELP to facilitate the effectiveness of these emerging leaders for the API community, the broader society, and their capacity to serve as role models for future leaders and to increase pool of APIs in nonprofit management and leadership positions.

PROGRAM BENEFITS
The Emerging Leaders Program curriculum will help mid-senior nonprofit staff and managers guide their organizations to new heights of growth, sustainability, accountability, and effectiveness.

Safe, supportive and tailored learning environment which focuses on API professional and leadership development from a culturally relevant and culturally sensitive perspective
Six sessions of one on one executive coaching
Peer network of other API nonprofit staff and managers willing to share successes challenges and best practices
Opportunity to examine real world nonprofit issues in a spirit of confidentiality and engagement with colleagues who face similar challenges.
Social networking opportunities with experienced Executive Directors and grantmakers

PROGRAM COMPONENTS*
Envisioned as a 6-month program with three distinct components, the ELP will be grounded in LEAP’s Leadership Framework and focused on leadership development from an API cultural lens.

Part I : Learning Component
The Learning Component will consist of a 5-day program to build participants’ basic leadership skills, engage them in experiential learning, leadership simulations and interactive problem-solving, as well as provide them with action-planning, and networking with seasoned community leaders.

Part II: Coaching Component
In the Coaching Component participants will receive six sessions of one-on-one executive coaching.

Part III: Renewal Component
The Renewal Component will be a 2.5-day reconvening that will give participants the chance not only to reflect upon their growth and development, but also to assess their progress, reconnect with their colleagues, and receive more skill-building, small-group, and action planning sessions.

*Participants must commit to attending all 3 sessions in order to be accepted into the program.

PROGRAM TOPICS
Similar in concept to the LEAP Executive Directors Leadership Program, the ELP will engage participants from a staff/manager perspective on topics such as presentation skills, understanding finances, project management, leadership vs management, fundraising, strategic planning, and board & staff relations.

2010 Class
PART 1: December 6 - 10, 2010 - Pomona, CA
PART 2: Ongoing (One-on-one coaching over 6 months)
PART 3: March 28 - 30, 2011 - Pomona, CA**

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Mid- to senior level nonprofit staff and managers looking to enhance or further develop their leadership skills.

TUITION
$500 per person - includes instruction workbook, all meals, roundtrip airfare from home city to Los Angeles and lodging for Parts 1 & 3.

***Interested applicants must register online and submit the following items to complete and finalize registration:

Letter of endorsement from your Executive Director
Personal statement regarding work experience as related to your role in the organization/agency (500 words maximum)
Brief description of what you would like to gain from this program (500 words maximum)

For additional information or to register for the Emerging Leaders Program, please contact:

Nancy Yap
Executive Assistant to the President
(213) 485-1422 ext. 4119
or (213) 361-7844
nyap@leap.org