incorporating the Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program

ABOUT US

 

VISION:

Developing leaders for vibrant and sustainable communities.

MISSION:

To engage, encourage and empower members of the community in leadership roles.

AIMS:

ORGANISATION:

  • To be recognised as a leading organisation in community leadership and development.

LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

  • To develop and build on participant skills and knowledge, ability and understanding, assisting them to become more effective community leaders.

GRADUATE PROGRAM

  • To maintain a positive life long relationship with graduates and their communities by continuing to raise awareness and understanding of regional issues and resources, fostering a regional leadership network, and connecting skills with community needs.

COMMUNITY & SPECIAL INTEREST PROGRAM

  • To develop and facilitate community and special interest programs, workshops and events that expand on existing personal and community leadership capacity.

 

OVERVIEW:

Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program:

Since its inception in 1998 the Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program (LMCLP) has inspired and assisted over 250 people from all walks of life to make a significant difference in their local communities and the wider region.

The program runs for a period of ten months each year (including the launch and graduation ceremonies) usually between February and November.

Annually up to 25 participants are accepted into the program with the aim of reflecting the diversity of the communities living and working within our region. Equal representation of primary industries, business, government and community is sought. Participants may already be a community leader seeking ways to work more effectively or they may want to take on a community position.

A minimum of twenty program days is scheduled comprising of (on average) two days per month and additional days for the field trips to Canberra and Melbourne.

Each program day is held in a different part of the region effectively showcasing rural communities, towns and major regional centres. This enables participants to travel across the region and beyond to experience first hand the vibrant communities, innovative projects and the individuals that drive them forward.

Through the program, participants are able to explore a wide range of issues that encompasses social, cultural, environmental, technological and economical aspects of our region; and continually develops and builds on their skills and knowledge, and ultimately their confidence as a community leader.

A typical program day includes:

  • Interaction and discussion within the group on regional issues and their own personal experiences

  • Skills workshop

  • Speakers on topics relating to leadership and regional issues

  • Field trips to view innovative businesses and community projects

  • Reflection

In order to graduate a participant must attend all the weekend retreats and field trips to Canberra and Melbourne. They are also required to achieve an overall minimum attendance of 80%.

Within twelve months of their graduation they are required to complete a community project and report the project’s outcomes at a public presentation.

 

Graduate Program:

LMCLP graduates are expected to remain active and apply their skills and knowledge in community activities.

CLLM’s Graduate Program aims to provide opportunities for LMCLP graduates to continue their personal and leadership development through networking, skills workshops and continued engagement with community organizations and projects.

The flagship of our Graduate Program is SkillsBank, an initiative which commenced in August 2005 with funding from the Victorian Government.

Through SkillsBank, graduates are able to contribute their skills to not-for-profit organisations in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, facilitation, motivational speaking opportunities, strategic planning and restoring community building. Many not-for-profit organisations require the perspective of an outsider, or a new set of skills to help remain a productive, vital and relevant part of their local community.

The Graduate Program supports and encourages the next generation of leaders within their communities, regions and beyond. It develops relationships with present and past LMCLP graduates to ensure they maintain positive, lifelong relations with the CLLM and their communities


Community & Special Interest Programs:

Since commencing its Graduate Program in 2006, CLLM has also offered many of its workshops, field trips, networking evenings, and events to the wider community.

Through CLLM high calibre facilitators and speakers from across the world have been brought to the region to deliver programs and initiatives.

These include speakers such as renowned international environmental psychologist, Dr Doug McKenzie-Mohr from Canada (November 2006) and Didi Kalikas, founder of the Lotus Children’s Centre in Mongolia (May 2008).

Facilitation of a stimulating program itinerary for delegates attending the Green World Youth Day to explore water issues (July 2008) is yet another example.

Further initiatives and needs of regional communities continue to be identified and funding sought to deliver programs that fulfil these needs utilising CLLM’s graduates, extensive networks and professional skills in partnership with local government and various other agencies.