A new partnership between Civity, the Association of Leadership Programs (ALP), and the National Leadership Network (NLN) aims to transform that hope into action by empowering leaders to bridge divides and foster social trust across differences.

This initiative is designed to equip local leaders with the tools and support they need to build connections in communities where division runs deep. These leaders often possess significant influence within their communities, but even the most established leaders face the challenge of uniting people who are separated by distrust and fear of difference. The goal of this partnership is to help these leaders create the relational infrastructure necessary for communities to come together, collaborate, and move forward.

At the heart of this effort is a commitment to fostering a relationship-building mindset. The partnership provides training that encourages leaders to engage with others—especially those they may view as "other"—in meaningful ways. The training is designed to create spaces where everyone feels that they matter, particularly those who have been marginalized or silenced. Join us to learn more! 

Grab your favorite beverage and join us for Coffee & Connection, a casual one-hour Zoom session hosted by ALP's Membership Director, Zoë Lewis-Monkman.

This is the perfect opportunity for new and existing members to connect, ask questions, and learn more about the benefits of being part of the ALP community. Zoë will answer questions, share insights about ALP's resources and programs while providing tips to help you make the most of your membership.

Whether you're looking to network, deepen your involvement, or simply get to know the ALP team, this laid-back session is a great way to start. Let’s build connections and spark ideas together—one cup of coffee at a time!

Don't miss this chance to connect, collaborate, and caffeinate with Zoë and fellow ALP members!

A key ALP member benefit is the opportunity to connect virtually with other members via Affinity Groups on a specific topic of interest. 

This group connects staff from Statewide Leadership Programs serving entire states, providing a platform to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of Statewide impact. Members collaborate to share insights, refine best practices, and develop strategies tailored to engaging diverse communities across a broad geographic area.

A key ALP member benefit is the opportunity to connect virtually with other members via Affinity Groups on a specific topic of interest.  

The Youth Programming Affinity Group brings together Community Leadership Program staff focused on developing and leading youth leadership initiatives. This group provides a collaborative environment to exchange ideas, share resources, and explore effective approaches to engaging young leaders, fostering civic responsibility, and empowering youth to make a positive impact in their communities.

• Topics:
  • Building and analyzing budget-based financial reports
  • Creating financial dashboards to communicate effectively
  • Innovative fundraising and revenue generation strategies
  • Tools for program assessment and financial decision-making

A key ALP member benefit is the opportunity to connect virtually with other members via Affinity Groups on a specific topic of interest.  

Participants of this group are typically Community Leadership Program staff responsible for alumni engagement and programming. This group provides a collaborative space to exchange ideas, share best practices, and develop impactful strategies that strengthen alumni connections and support involvement even after completing a program. 

Psychology suggests that the head, the heart and the hands form what is known as the leadership trifecta. Through the lens of her Everyday Equity principles, Dr. Matisa Wilbon will empower attendees to utilize the leadership trifecta to establish a more equitable culture in any organization.

Everyday Equity suggests that when we practice equity incrementally every day, we see sustained change from the top down. Throughout this session, Dr. Wilbon teaches leaders how to utilize the leadership trifecta to become more inclusive leaders on all three levels:

• Educating themselves to understand different equity perspectives, experiences, and challenges (the head)
• Highlighting inclusive practices by which leaders can cultivate a culture of inclusion (the heart)
• Inspiring participants to become equity advocates who champion fairness and equitable practices from their leadership position (the hands)

About the Speaker: Dr. Matisa Wilbon is a TEDx and keynote speaker who uses her 18 years as a sociologist and 10 years as an equity and impact specialist to help institutions understand the power of making spaces more equitable. Dr. Wilbon earned her B.A. in Anthropology/Sociology from Centre College in Kentucky. She received her Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Sociology from The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. Dr. Wilbon is the CEO of Wilbon Enterprises (WE), a consulting firm specializing in grant writing, Equity and Impact. Through her disruptive leadership model, strategic planning, training and evaluation, she helps organizations move from intention to action.  Dr. Wilbon is a sought-after empowerment speaker, as well. She travels extensively, speaking to corporations, non-profits, college campuses, and leadership groups across the country. Her most recent TEDx talk entitled, Good Grief has garnered thousands of views. It highlights the importance of finding gratitude as well as the good in grief. Her second TEDx talk, "The Power of Every Day Equity" was published in the Fall of 2024.  

Are you ready to take your leadership expertise to the next level? Join us for an exclusive CCLP Info Session as part of All Access April and explore how the Certified Community Leadership Practitioner (CCLP) designation can enhance your professional growth and elevate your impact.
 
Launched in 2019, the CCLP Certification is designed for Association, Chamber of Commerce, and Nonprofit professionals who are dedicated to excellence in Community Leadership Program development. This certification validates essential knowledge in leadership training, program strategy, and organizational sustainability - ensuring that professionals are equipped to make lasting community impacts.

During this session, you’ll:

• Learn about the certification process and coursework requirements
• Gain insights into the training components: CORE, Mastery, and Electives
• Understand the final steps to obtaining the CCLP designation
• Hear firsthand experiences from professionals who have completed the journey

Featured Speaker: Jessie Baginski, Ph.D., CCLP
Jessie joined the ALP team in December 2023 after serving as President/CEO of Leadership Lake County (OH) for over a decade. She was among the first professionals to receive the CCLP designation in 2022 and brings more than 35 years of experience in leadership development, communications, and nonprofit management.
 
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how the CCLP Certification can set you apart and strengthen your leadership career!
 

• Topics:
  • Evolution of leadership theories
  • Aligning theories with organizational goals and curriculum
  • Designing experiences to help participants apply leadership principles
  • Effective teaching techniques for adult learners