The University of St. Thomas Center for Non-Profit Management is offering an exciting new learning opportunity for community volunteers and staff members of neighborhood organizations beginning in October, 2001. Created in partnership with the NRP and the Metropolitan Alliance for Community Centers (MACC) and presented for the first time in Spring 2001, the Community Leadership Institute is a certificate program designed specifically for neighborhood people engaged in NRP activities.

The Institute begins with 10 sessions (Block 1) addressing topics neighborhood leaders have ranked as their highest learning priorities: understanding the structure of organizations; fiscal responsibility; increasing and maintaining participation; the dynamics of change; volunteer management; leadership; and planning.

After successfully completing Block 1, participants are invited to apply to Block 2, which is being offered for the first time this fall. Some of the topics in Block 2 include: assets mapping; dynamic partnerships, advocacy; program evaluation; fundraising; marketing and promotion; and project management.

Block 1 will run twice this fall. One series (10 sessions) will begin on Tuesday, October 9, and run every Tuesday through December 11; the other series will begin Wednesday, October 10, and run every Wednesday through December 19 (there is no class on 11/21). The Tuesday sessions will be held on the St. Paul campus; the Wednesday sessions will be held on the Minneapolis campus.

Block 2 (10 sessions) will be held on Monday nights beginning October 15 and will run through December 17. These sessions will be held on the Minneapolis campus.Generous financial support for neighborhood volunteers is available.

For more information about the Community Leadership Institute, contact Margie Siegel at 651-962-4291 or by email at msiegel@stthomas.edu. Or, call Barbara Ritter at the Center for Nonprofit Management at 651-962-4300 for a brochure/applications. Space is limited so fill out your application today!

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