Community Impact
Emerging Leaders Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I learn more about the Emerging Leaders Program?
A: An information session for interested applicants will be held from 5:30-6:30 pm on Thursday, February 18th 2010 here at the United Way Building 1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway Philadelphia PA 19103. If you would like to attend, RSVP via the emergingleaders@uwsepa.org email. Or, you can call 215-665-2584 or email emergingleaders@uwsepa.org with any questions about the program.
Q: What does United Way’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) include?
A: ELP includes six workshops led by an accomplished leadership development educator and consultant, individualized coaching sessions, a 360 performance evaluation, a skills assessment, peer networking opportunities, a panel discussion with established nonprofit leaders in the region, and ongoing professional development seminars and networking opportunities. Read the course description.
Q: What are the eligibility requirements for participants?
A: Applicants must:
- Be nonprofit professionals currently working in a program or project management position in the health and human services field
- Have served in a supervisory capacity for 5 years or less
- Have never served in a senior or executive level position of a nonprofit
- Be under 40 years of age
- Work for a Non Profit Organization that provides service within UWSEPA’s 4 county region (Philadelphia, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware)
- Be able to attend a minimum of 5 out of the 6 scheduled workshop sessions (refer to Workshop Schedule for dates and times)
Q: What must I include in my application?
A: Complete applications must include the following before they can be submitted. (Incomplete applications cannot be submitted and will not be considered.)
- Completed application form
- Resume
- Recommendation (between 250-500 words) from the applicant’s
direct supervisor responding to the following prompt:
Please describe a situation in which the applicant has demonstrated his or her leadership potential. Please identify an opportunity in the work place where the applicant will have a chance to apply his or her new skills and learning from the Emerging Leaders Program. Why will this program be beneficial to the applicant?
We will use the information you submit about your supervisor on the application form in order to contact them for your recommendation. Your supervisor will then receive an automated email with directions and a link to the application page where they can upload their recommendation. While you will not be able to read the recommendation itself, you will be notified when it is submitted.
- Written essay (between 500-1000 words) responding to the
following prompt:
Describe the type of role you see yourself in 3-5 years from now. What types of projects are you working on? How do you see ELP helping you prepare for the challenges that lay ahead?
Q: When will the ELP application be made available?
A: February 5, 2010. It can be found at www.liveunitedsepa.org/EmergingLeadersApplication
Q: When is the application due?
A: The application deadline has been extended to Monday, March 8, 2010.
Q: Who will review the applications?
A: A selection panel comprised of United Way staff and organizational partners in the region will review the applications and select the participants. Criteria will include the strength of each applicant’s resume, recommendation and essay.
Q: How many participants will there be in ELP?
A: 15-20
Q: When will successful applicants be notified?
A: April 9, 2010
Q: When will the program begin?
A: Wednesday April 28th, 2010
Q: How long is the program?
A: Seven weeks in total. The program, which begins on April 28th, has six weekly sessions and a graduation/panel discussion that will take place on June 9, 2010.
Q: What is the cost of the program?
A: Individuals selected for participation (or their organizations) will be required to pay $150 for the program. The actual total cost per participant is over $1000. United Way is subsidizing this cost heavily in order to ensure that staff members from organizations of various sizes are able to participate.
Q: What is the attendance policy for ELP?
A: Participants in the program are expected to attend all six of the instructional sessions and the graduation ceremony.Participants missing more than 1 session may jeopardize their continued participation in the program.
Q: How does the Emerging Leaders Program relate to United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s Agenda for Community Solutions?
A: United Way made a commitment to support leadership development as part of its strategy to maintain a healthy nonprofit sector. Details about this work can be found under the Reinforcing the Social Fabric section of the Agenda for Community Solutions.
