Community Leadership Program
Program details
Our Community Leadership Program supports you to build the skills to get more involved and make a difference in your community.
This free program is for local residents who want to:
- lead community projects
- establish personal and professional networks
- learn more about local government.
Courses
The program includes a series of courses to educate and equip people with an interest in community leadership to create a positive impact.
Empowering Leadership
The Empowering Leadership course will develop your knowledge of local government and good governance. It will empower you to work within Council as candidates, councillors or stakeholders.
Delivered by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the course will cover:
- good governance and how to navigate local government
- how to action and influence change at Council
- developing a toolkit of skills and knowledge to work closely with local government; from sitting on an advisory committee to becoming a local election candidate.
Engaging Leadership
The Engaging Leadership course will focus on developing practical skills, personal abilities and networks. It will enable you to work with community and create positive change.
Delivered by The Public Value Studio, this six-week course will feature a mix of online and in-person sessions. It includes local case studies and speakers to build practical knowledge based on real world experiences.
Enabling Leadership
The Enabling Leadership course is delivered by Latrobe University Business School. The course is split into three subjects delivered online over four weeks.
- ‘Leading Self’ explores the way we lead and encourages us to question and reflect on our personal leadership style.
- ‘Leading Others’ examines the evolution of leadership and critically examines the characteristics of successful teams.
- ‘Leading for Results’ explores our strategic alignment to goals and actions, as well as understanding the fundamentals of strategy and business models.
Subjects in the course are part of the La Trobe Master of Business Administration course. In addition to these subjects, there is a session on understanding local council and why it matters.
Information for applicants
Eligibility
The Community Leadership Program aims to represent City of Whittlesea’s diversity and is inclusive of all genders, age groups (18+), abilities, cultures and backgrounds.
Support will be available for all participants to help you attend. Please talk to us about your accessibility or other needs, such as child-minding for in-person sessions, so that we can ensure you can actively participate.
You're encouraged to apply if you're a City of Whittlesea resident aged 18 years or over who:
- has an interest in developing your own and other people’s leadership in the community
- is motivated to participate and engage in community life
- has a desire to use your skills to make a difference and enhance the local community
- can commit to attending all the courses.
Please note: You can't apply if you didn't comply with governance conditions from previous elected or selected local government positions. You're also ineligible if you haven't complied with grant acquittal conditions from previous City of Whittlesea funding.
Selection process
There are a limited number of places available. Participants will be selected through an expression of interest process, which may include informal interviews.
As well as the eligibility criteria outlined on this page, the selection panel will also consider:
- geographical representation from across the City of Whittlesea
- a range of cultural backgrounds, abilities, genders and ages
- diversity of personal and life experiences.
Full program details will be provided if you are offered and accept a place on the program.
Previous participants
Hear what previous participants have to say about their experiences of the Community Leadership Program.
Program participant: Beatrix
Program participant: Eve
Program participant: Matt
Program participant: Norma