Join the Emerging Leaders Network Online Community

Earlier this week we announced our creation of an Emerging Leaders Network for younger nonprofit professionals in the Greater Victoria area.  We are now pleased to let the nonprofit sector know that the new online community for this network is ready.

If you’re wondering whether the Emerging Leaders Network is right for you or someone within your organization, please read through the following Frequently Asked Questions to find out more.  Any individuals who see themselves as an emerging leader as described below are welcome to join the online community and RSVP to the first Emerging Leaders Network meeting, to be held Monday, June 28, 2010.

Who is an “Emerging Leader”?

We see emerging leaders as generally late 20 to early 40-something individuals who are upwardly mobile in the nonprofit sector and are not already filling Executive Director or other high level leadership roles. Individuals who have progressively-responsible work experience underneath them and are looking to fill eventual leadership positions in the nonprofit sector are encouraged to join the Network. We expect that the majority of emerging leaders who participate in the Network will fall into the “Generation X” and “Generation Y” age ranges.

Current Executive Directors, even though they may fit into younger demographics, are asked to connect with our already-established Executive Directors Network.

What if I’m a board member or volunteer in the nonprofit sector, not paid staff?

Individuals that have a significant volunteer connection to the sector and see themselves as an emerging leaders as described above are more than welcome to attend Network events.

What do you mean by “leadership positions”? Does that mean I have to want to become an Executive Director someday?

A large focus of the Emerging Leaders Network will be helping emerging leaders learn about becoming an Executive Director of an organization, in order to address anticipated future vacancies in this role over the next several years. However, the Network also welcomes emerging leaders that have goals of reaching other leadership positions within the sector, e.g. board chair, board member, or a leader in a particular management area.

Events to be offered under this new network will show younger nonprofit professionals that there are many ways to be a leader within the sector and will help them develop the skills needed to get there.

What activities are planned under the Emerging Leaders Network?

Bi-monthly networking meetings featuring topical speakers will take place starting at the end of June 2010. Additional workshops and networking events will be offered on an ad hoc basis. A mentoring program that will pair emerging leaders with current leaders is also planned. All emerging leaders taking part in the Network will need to sign up for the online community in order to connect with each other and share resources, as well as RSVP for Network events.

What will the mentoring program within the Emerging Leaders Network look like?

The details of the mentoring program – which will match emerging leaders with current leaders – are still being worked out. As soon as the details are finalized an announcement will be made. We anticipate that mentoring partnerships will be two-way relationships through which both parties – the emerging leader and the current leader – may learn from each other.

How can I sign up for the Emerging Leaders Network?

Connect with your peers and start RSVPing to Network events.  Sign up here!