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Natural Leaders Initiative

Who is a "natural leader"?

We believe that most people have the potential to lead if given the opportunity and support to develop that potential.

This project supports people (particularly those from low/moderate income communities and communities of color) who have demonstrated a passion, commitment and ability to improve community life. Most NLI participants do not have a formal leadership title or role. They may not call themselves a “leader.” But they are the people others look to for help solving problems and “getting things done.”

What does NLI offer?

The Natural Leaders Initiative works to increase diverse participation in community leadership in Tompkins County.

It helps emerging leaders:

• Build on existing strengths and skills
• Increase leadership knowledge, skills and confidence
• Talk with others about the joys and challenges of leadership
• Get to know other community leaders
• Get training and support for things they want to accomplish
• Learn about other community leadership opportunities.

NLI also assists community boards and committees who want to strengthen their abilities to recruit, support and retain leaders from under-presented groups. And it helps community organizations find new ways to promote leadership development through their own programs

NLI was founded in 2007 as a collaboration between four organizational partners: Cornell Cooperative Extension -Tompkins, the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC), the Multicultural Resource Center, and Tompkins Community Action. We partner with a variety of organizations to carry out our activities.

What do NLI participants do?

NLI participants join a group of 15-20 emerging leaders from throughout Tompkins County.

• Participate in 8 group sessions over 4 months (March-June or Sept.-Dec.)
• Work on a community project of their own choice
• Be paired with a mentor (an experienced community leader)

Child care, dinner and help with transportation (if needed) is provided for each group session.

NLI provides continuing support to participants who want to remain engaged after the sessions end. Small grants are available to active participants who want to take part in other leadership development activities (like training sessions, workshops or conferences). An "ongoing" group is being developed for those who want to continue meeting.

What do NLI participants learn?

NLI group sessions are designed in response to participants’ needs and interests. They include:

• Connecting with your own power, strengths, and passions.
• Creating and leading a successful project
• Finding and using community resources.
• “Getting things done” – leading groups & meetings, participating effectively in groups & meetings, understanding group dynamics, creative problem-solving, engaging others, working collectively.
• Getting people to listen – communication skills, public speaking skills, navigating in the “halls of power.”
• Engaging and empowering others – in your own communities and beyond.
• Defining leadership – Who is a “leader”? What are “leadership skills”?
• Understanding and affecting community decision-making – Who makes decisions? How can you influence them? How can you become “them”? How do community decision making groups work? What are the expectations?
• Building relationships with diverse groups of people.
• Recognizing connections: developing effective allies for yourself, your group, your issue and becoming an effective ally to others
• Managing conflict
• “In for the Long Haul” – e.g., building support; taking care of yourself; dealing with frustration, anger, and hopelessness; taking pride and celebrating success.
  

What does it cost?

There is no fee to participate in an NLI group. Program costs are covered by local grants and donations.

What does NLI offer community organizations, boards and committees?

NLI helps organizations, committees and boards:

• Increase their knowledge, skills and confidence to create inclusive work environments
• Successfully recruit, support and retain more diverse leadership
• Build networks with other community organizations trying to do the same.

Programs and assistance are designed based on identified needs.

Contact:

Margo Hittleman, Coordinator, Natural Leaders Initiative
272-2292 x167 or mjh17@cornell.edu.