Through our adult programs we:

engage emerging leaders

re-inspire established leaders

create meaningful connections throughout our membership

LeaderPrime is meant for top decision-makers and it provides orientation to Fort Worth and its top leaders as well as preparation for quick effective community
engagement. Learn more

The LeadershipClass addresses vital issues impacting Fort Worth by engaging
established leaders in discussion and challenging them to make an impact. Learn more

LeadingEdge offers emerging leaders in their mid 20s to mid 30s an opportunity to strengthen leadership practices, create connections with community leaders and move beyond volunteerism into board service. Learn more

LeadershipForum exists to serve our members by providing leadership education,
leadership skill development and connections with other leaders and community
volunteer efforts. Learn more

We believe everyone has a leader inside. Our youth program LeaderKids encourages middle-school students to develop leadership skills such as taking initiative, setting achievable goals and becoming strong communicators. Learn more…

Program Application

Comparison of three adult leadership programs
logo Providing Fort Worth with Diverse and Enlightened Leaders
Program LeadingEdge LeadershipClass LeadingPrime
Summary Leading Edge offers emerging leaders in their mid 20s to mid 30s an opportunity to strengthen leadership capacity, create connections with community leaders and move beyond volunteerism into board service. As a catalyst to non-profit board service, participants have the option to participate in the Board Shadow Program. The Leadership Class addresses vital issues impacting Fort Worth by engaging established leaders in their mid 30s and beyond. The program features a series of topic-oriented days to broaden their perspective about Fort Worth and challenge them to make an impact. Through this program established leaders connect their networks and resources to address identified needs. Leader Prime helps CEOs new to Fort Worth (or new in their role) make more productive decisions because of their orientation to the culture, leaders and trends in Fort Worth. In addition, CEOs will be given opportunities for civic connections that will give them a greater personal and professional impact on the community.
Audience Emerging leaders, typically in their mid-20s to mid-30s, seeking to launch their engagement as a Community Trustee in the FW community at a Board level. Established leaders, with key decision-maker board-level experience, who would like to become engaged at a Community Trustee level in the FW community CEOs/top decision-makers and spouses, new to Fort Worth and/or their professional roles seeking to learn more about how Fort Worth works and how they can contribute as Community Trustees.
Selection Committee seeks individuals who…
    • Are rising stars in their profession
    • Serve in a leadership capacity in organizations related to their career, academic institution or other young professionals organization
    • Are outstanding volunteers for non-profit organizations
  • Aspire to decision-making roles on community boards and city commissions
    • Are leaders in their chosen profession, most often at the “Director” level and above
    • Have a strong record of achievement in community/civic activities
    • Have demonstrated decision-making experience at a board level in a community/civic organization
  • Have significant volunteer leadership experience with community/civic organizations
    • Are the top business leaders in their companies
    • Are new to the Fort Worth  community to their professional roles
    • Have a desire to connect with key decision makers and influencers in the community
  • Have a desire to become more engaged in the FW community
The Program Experience
    • Introduces leadership practices shared by successful community leaders
    • Identifies personal leadership strengths & development opportunities
    • Explores processes relevant to “how Fort Worth works” (collaboration, advocacy, board governance)
    • Provides multiple opportunities to make connections with community leaders
  • Provides a catalyst for non-profit board service via the Board Shadow Program
    • Exposes established leaders to the diverse needs and issues in the community
    • Creates connections between leaders related to those issues, and develops relationships to move projects forward
    • Enhances community leadership capabilities through group processes
  • Aligns personal passions and resources with vital issues to be addressed through Issues Initiatives
    • Offers extensive information on pertinent issues impacting the business environment
    • Provides connections to significant leaders and the roles they play
    • Opens doors for personal and professional community engagement 
  • Offers opportunities to appreciate Fort Worth’s history, culture and current trends
Leadership Skills and Competencies
  • Kouzes and Posner’s Leadership Practice Inventory Competencies (based on The Leadership Challenge). Through experiential training, the competencies are practiced and developed. Competencies included are:
      • Model the Way
      • Inspire a Shared Vision
      • Challenge the Process
      • Enable Others to Act
    • Encourage the Heart
  • The Community Trusteeship Competencies: Listen, Care and Lead form the foundation for skill development. In addition, we provide opportunities to develop in the areas of:
      • Adaptive Leadership
      • Collaboration/Teambuilding
      • Relationship Building
    • Networking

Community Trusteeship Competencies:

  •  Listen
  •  Care
  • Lead
Schedule

January – June

 

Fridays, typically every 3 weeks 11:30am – 5:00pm

 

A Get Acquainted Social is held in December. Two mandatory full-day retreats are held at the beginning and end of the program. Program days are:

·       Opening Retreat

·       Fort Worth Collaborates

·       Master Your Message

·       Creating CommUNITY

·       Effective Environments for Teams & Group Decision-Making

·       The Nonprofit Sector

·       Leadership Practices in Action

·       Closing Retreat

 

September – May

 

Typically Thursdays, once/month

8:00am – 5:00pm

 

A Get Acquainted Social is held in August. Two mandatory retreats are held:

  • 2-day retreat at the beginning of the program.
  • 1-day retreat at the end of the program.

Program Days are:

  • Opening Retreat
  • Community Trusteeship
  • Government & Economic Development
  • Human Needs
  • Education
  • Justice
  • North Texas Regional Day
  • Health
  • Arts & Culture

Closing Retreat

Three day program:  two full days (typically in January or February) and one follow up day (typically the following month.)
Class Size 45-50 45–55 15-25 (including spouses)
Tuition$2200 – applications accepted through Nov 1, 2019
 
A limited number of partial tuition waivers are available based on need. 		$2750 – applications accepted through April 26, 2019
 
A limited number of partial tuition waivers are available based on need. 		$4000 – candidate
$2850 – spouse of candidate
 
Application by invitation