The WOMEN'S FOUNDATION of ARKANSAS
- Promoting philanthropy among women
- Helping women and girls achieve their full potential
Women of Promise: Emerging Leaders Pilot Program
Program Structure: Applicants for the program must be at least 21 years-old, passionate about the community, have a demonstrated commitment to supporting their peers and to living their very best life. All participants must apply by completing an admissions packet which includes an online application, two letters of recommendation, a signed commitment agreement including sign off from the applicant’s employer, and complete an interview.
With the community of Greater Little Rock as our classroom, participants will meet one day per month to explore multiple perspectives on the most pressing community issues. Through site visits, small group interviews, panel discussions and interactive workshops, participants will become educated on issues and learn the importance of service, activism, social justice and collaboration to tackle our community’s greatest challenges.
Participants will develop their skills to communicate, build consensus and make decisions through a collaborative learning process. Issue Days will provide participants an opportunity to gain and sharpen skills while exposing them to new ways of thinking and creating innovative solutions.
Skill Building and Issue Days: An issue day is an entire day of events planned with the intention of gaining deeper understanding of a current issue of vital importance and expanding participants skill-set on how to address these issues. The class will decide if "issue days" will be held on Thursdays or Saturdays.
Service Component: In anticipation of the “issue day” every program month, participants will need to provide a minimum of six hours of service to a local non-profit or civic agency that supports the issue.
Philanthropic Component: The “Emerging Leaders” experience will be provided to the 25 participants at no charge. In exchange for the opportunity and to deepen the participants understanding of every aspect of philanthropy, participants will be asked to research non-profits and make a financial contribution to any organization they choose that support the issue that is addressed during the program months’ “Issue Day”.
Attendance Policy: "Emerging Leaders" begins in November ‘08 and concludes in October ’09. Over the course of the program there will be eight Issue Days (full day sessions that meet once a month), occasional evening and weekend sessions, planning meetings, and an opening retreat. Attendance is expected at all sessions and is required at the retreat.
