Sponsor A Student—Make A Difference!
The Lake Superior Community Partnership established the Lake Superior Leadership Academy with the firm conviction that today’s leadership has an obligation to nurture tomorrow’s leaders. Our committee is committed to recruiting a group of the area’s finest emerging leaders who would represent a broad spectrum of the community. We extend an invitation for you to participate as a sponsoring organization or class member.
A leader is one who recognizes the potential in people and strives to establish and maintain a climate where individuals may develop and maximize their contributions. The Lake Superior Leadership Academy provides that conduit to a unique group of individuals whose future impact upon our community is incalculable.
Purpose
The Lake Superior Leadership Academy is designed to bring together new, emerging and potential leaders from the area to address pertinent community needs, strengthen individual leadership abilities and encourage participants to personally commit to assuming new leadership roles in the community.
Key Objectives
- to identify potential leaders;
- to educate participants about community needs and leadership opportunities;
- to improve management and leadership skills;
- to develop relationships of value when working together on community projects;
- to create rapport among participants and present community leaders;
- to assist in matching the talents of selected participants with leadership needs.
The Program
The Lake Superior Leadership Academy will conduct annual “classes”. Both applicants and their employers must agree that each applicant will devote at least one weekday per month for nine months (September – May) to the program. The format is similar to successful programs in other communities.
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An initial orientation “retreat” for each class will be followed by one session each month, ending with graduation ceremonies. The sessions are designed to acquaint class members with information on the organizational structure, unique features, strengths and challenges of the community. The program encourages participation in community affairs. An important benefit of the program is that members of each class will become aware of community networking and participate in it. Alumni from previous classes are called upon to take part in programs for new classes.
Organizational Structure
The Lake Superior Leadership Academy operates as an independent program within the Lake Superior Community Partnership. The organization has appointed a program director to oversee the day-to-day activities relating to the program.
The Program Year
The Academy consists of a retreat in September nine topic-oriented seminars and a wrap-up graduation program in the Spring. The retreat sets the stage for the programs which will vary from the structured exercises to exploring dynamics of our society, an analysis of individual leadership and decision-making styles and effective utilization of group process. The following sessions focus individually on a major area of community concern and explore the issue of leadership within the context of the day’s program.
Selection
The Academy actively solicits applicants from all sectors of the community. Criteria for selection include demonstrated leadership skills, active involvement in the community, and a commitment to invest the time required by the program. A conscientious effort will be made to select participants who represent a cross-section of the community. This will guarantee that the diversity of perspectives will generate meaningful personal interaction and learning in the Leadership Program.
Attendance Requirements
Attendance is mandatory for Academy participants. Prospective participants who are unable to attend the retreat, the established sessions and graduation need not apply.
Impact
The Academy will provide participants an opportunity to meet and talk with leaders from all segments of our community. They will exchange views and share opinions and challenges facing our area. In addition, the interaction of the participants allows for the opportunity to develop mutual trust and respect which will encourage continuing relationships outside the formal program.
Over a period of time, as alumni increase their community participation and assume positions of greater responsibility, our community will be strengthened.
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A New Resource
Graduates of the Academy will become a part of a new community resource – a group of men and women with the desire and ability to positively impact important community activities. They will have gained a new awareness of our community – what makes it work, its strengths its challenges and what needs to be done in the future.
How To Apply
Applications may be initiated individually or by nomination. Participants will be chosen from the written applications.
Nominees will require the full support of the organization or business which they represent. Attendance and participation in each session are essential.
Tuition
Tuition may be paid by the sponsoring organization or corporation. A limited number of partial scholarships will be granted to individuals who might otherwise be unable to attend.
For more information contact the LSCP at (906) 226-6591.
Scholarships
To make the distribution of scholarship monies for tuition to the Lake Superior Leadership Academy as equitable as possible, the Lake Superior Leadership
Academy Steering Committee has developed the following policy:
• No more than one recipient from a single for-profit business or organization will receive a Leadership Academy scholarship within a three-year period.
• No more than one recipient from a single non-profit organization will receive a Leadership Academy scholarship within a two-year period.
• Application for a Leadership Academy scholarship must be made at the time of application to the Leadership Academy.
• Scholarships for recipients employed or sponsored by a for-profit business or organization shall not exceed $350.
• Scholarships for recipients employed or sponsored by a non-profit organization shall not exceed $500.
• A Leadership Academy student who receives a scholarship is required to complete all Leadership Academy requirements for attendance and graduation during the year he/she was admitted to Leadership Academy. Scholarship funds cannot be carried over to subsequent Academy classes or subsequent applicants from the same organization.
• Distribution of Leadership Academy scholarships are dependent upon the funds that are available for scholarships. The availability of scholarships is not guaranteed from year to year.
• The recommendation of the Lake Superior Leadership Academy Steering Committee regarding scholarships is final.
Testimonials From Class Participants
“I would highly recommend anyone to participate. I’ve lived in Marquette County my whole life and got to see parts of my community that I’ve never had to chance to or even knew about before.”
Cortney Ranta, Class of 2014, VAST
“I had a fantastic time learning about local community business, government, schools, media, the justice system, etc., from some of the most respected community leaders throughout Marquette County. I make use of something I have learned, just about every day in the office.”
Roni Bur, Class of 2014, U.P. Health Plan
“LSLA is a great way not only to meet and network with other community leaders and learn from them. It provides great insight into the wonderful opportunities and resources available through Marquette County.”
Marlene Houghton, Class of 2014, U.P. Home Health & Hospice
The Lake Superior Leadership Academy is a project of the Lake Superior Community Partnership.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: The Academy enforces a strict attendance policy.
IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY… The Academy enforces a strict attendance policy. Absence from up to two class sessions, other than Retreat, prevents a participant from officially graduating. The missed session(s) must be made up the following year, unless prior arrangements are made. In the case of two missed sessions, the participant must also perform an additional task that pertains to leadership and can be shared with the class. Possibilities include writing a short paper, sharing an article pertaining to an aspect of leadership or possibly a book review. Absence from the bulk of Retreat or from any three class sessions is grounds for immediate dismissal from the Lake Superior Leadership Academy, with no tuition refund. Please review the above dates carefully. If you are unable to attend one or more of these sessions, please apply to the Academy another year.