Applications Open for 2020 Sherwood Trust Community Leadership Program

WALLA WALLA—Sherwood Trust is looking for community-minded leaders of all experience levels for its 2020 Community Leadership program. The no-cost program begins in September and culminates in the summer of 2021 with a collaborative project. The deadline for nominations is July 31, 2020.

The Community Leadership Program has for 16 years strengthened local leadership and community-building abilities with a hands-on, interactive program to develop leadership and community-building skills for Walla Walla Valley residents. In collaboration with Rural Development Initiatives Inc. (RDI) in Eugene, Oregon, this skill-based learning program focuses on developing community and organizational leadership skills of people in the Walla Walla Valley. There is no cost to participants.

The 2020 Leadership program is the equivalent of 1 day per month or 80 hours over one year. Classes will include 20 hours in person and 20 hours online. Project implementation is typically an additional 20 - 40 hours following formal class sessions. Participant support includes technical assistance, translation, and childcare. All in-person classes will follow current best practices and safety regulations to help ensure a safe learning environment.

Sherwood Trust’s Community Leadership program is open to all Walla Walla Valley residents regardless of leadership experience. “We want a class that is representative of our region’s diversity,” said Sherwood Trust Program Director Julia Leavitt. “We welcome adult residents of any race, religion, age, income, and gender identification as well as a broader diversity of experience to ensure the class includes broad perspectives for good community collaboration.”

A demonstrated commitment to collaborative learning and community engagement are required.

Sherwood Trust is a private, placed-based foundation that supports capacity-building to ensure that everyone in the Walla Walla Valley has a sense of belonging and contributes to a thriving region. Founded in 1991 to continue the legacy of Donald and Virginia Sherwood’s efforts to make the Walla Walla Valley a better place, it has invested more than $32 million to strengthen nonprofits and improve communities here.

Applications are available at sherwoodtrust.org/clp. The deadline for completed applications is noon on Friday, July 31, 2020.

For more information please contact: Julia Leavitt at Sherwood Trust at (509) 529-2791 or Julia@sherwoodtrust.org