Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute

Community Leadership Program

The Community Leadership Program (CLP) is the Institute’s most popular course and the one that produces the most graduates to the community. CLP is a nine-month program running from September to June that provides class members with an introduction to the community including current issues and community highlights and history. Class members discover or clarify their personal areas of interest throughout the community and build the specific skills and resource knowledge to support their chosen leadership efforts.

Approximately 55 participants are selected for each class. Selection is made on the basis of individual merit and demonstrated leadership abilities in the areas of community involvement and level of career responsibilities. In addition, class composition is strongly considered.

Tuition for the nine-month program is $1500 and can be sponsored by the participant’s business or organization. The success of the Leadership Institute experience depends upon the active participation of all class members. The curriculum consists of bi-monthly Thursday afternoon meetings with dinner following, and four mandatory all-day Friday sessions. Any prospective member who is unable to attend the September orientation will not be allowed to continue in the program.

Class participants are expected to attend all of the sessions. Anyone missing more than three sessions will not be allowed to graduate with the class. A limited number of designated make-up sessions will be made available.

The nomination/application process for the Community Leadership Program begins each year in April.