Accepting Applications: EPIP-YNPN Leadership Institute!

I'm jazzed to be a part of the planning team for the soon-to-be launching YNPN-EPIP Leadership Institute and very excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for this cohort-based co-created leadership program! Read on for the program overview, to get a glimpse of whether it's a fit for you, and for additional FAQs. Please consider applying yourself or nominating someone in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors who you think would would appreciate being thought of!

Are you a 20-30-something? Do you work in the nonprofit and/or philanthropic sector? Fired up about your work and want to see that flame burn strong throughout your career? Well that takes fuel, that takes space, and that takes tending.  

YNPN Twin Cities and EPIP Minnesota are partnering to offer a unique cohort experience. The experience is aimed at encouraging exploration of the big career questions you’ve been asking and will continue to ask while doing some serious skill swapping and network weaving across the local foundation and nonprofit worlds.

Whether harnessing your hellfire or holding your sacred blue flame, we invite you to join us to gain the skills you need to build a network to support your growth and develop a concrete roadmap — including goals, strategies, action steps, and accountability — to help you truly make the most of your career!

Leadership Institute FAQs

Is there a fee to participate?

Nope. Accessibility is the name of the game. Participants are, however, asked to fully commit to all aspects of the program, even if we’re not collecting your hard-earned cash.

Is there an age-limit for participants?

No. YNPN and EPIP programming in general is geared toward individuals in their 20^’s and 30’s. If the descriptions we’ve provided resonate with you, we encourage you to apply. Also, feel free to contact us at LeadInMN(at)gmail(dot)com to talk things through if you still have questions.

Who should apply?

Emerging leaders in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors looking for a “community of practice” to establish the habits, relationships, and support systems that will make our journeys -- in our work and communities -- sustainable.

This experience is aimed at encouraging exploration of the big career questions you’ve been asking and will continue to ask while doing some serious skill swapping and network weaving across the local foundation and nonprofit worlds.

We are seeking a diverse mix of twenty-four 20- and 30-somethings in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, ideally split evenly between nonprofit and foundation professionals. Applicants must:

• Be a member of YNPN Twin Cities or EPIP Minnesota
• Be committed to the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors
• Be prepared to be an active participant
• Be able to commit to the program timeline

What is the time commitment?

This will be a 10-month intensive cohort program: April 2014 through January 2015. The Institute includes two two-day retreats to kick off and conclude the program (the late afternoon of April 11th - late afternoon April 12, 2014 and the late afternoon of January 16th - late afternoon January 17, 2015)

The group will meet for monthly 2-hour evening sessions on 2nd Tuesdays from April 2014 through January 2015 at 6 - 8 pm. In addition, the group will be encouraged to attend a community event each month (e.g., Minnesota Council on Foundations event, YNPN Twin Cities or EPIP event, Nexus Community Partners event, etc.) and meet for conversation before or after the event.

What is the program content and structure?

To help anchor the sessions highlighted above, participants will meet with mentoring circles of 4 individuals each for small group connections and support.

We will augment time spent together with selected readings, personal challenges, and reflective exercises between sessions.

Co-creation in action: This program is being created by emerging professionals, for emerging professionals. YNPN and EPIP have designed this with co-creation in mind, planning the opening retreat and first few sessions to include time for the cohort to figure out what they want to contribute and get out of this experience, and then being active in co-creating that experience through rotating team planning and facilitation on a topic of interest. In other words, the April, May, June, and January sessions will be designed and facilitated by the YNPN/EPIP planning committee. For July-December, cohort participants will design and facilitate the monthly sessions with and for each other.

How will this experience benefit me?

Through this program, you will:

1. Expand your network, building deep, sustained relationships with local nonprofit and philanthropic professionals.
2. Practice useful habits of reflection, individually and in groups, to address the cyclical questions about your life, leadership and career.
3. Actively participate in a shared leadership experience and build facilitation, presentation and collaboration skills by sharing around a topic of your choice.
4. Conduct a career refresh or re-charge in a supportive and accountable environment.

How do I apply?

Complete our online application, which requires a letter of recommendation from an individual who can speak to your dedication and commitment to developing yourself and others professionally. The application deadline is January 31, 2014. Our selection team will be in touch with all applicants by the end of January.

What are the selection criteria?

Applications will be reviewed and participants selected based on his/her:

• Interest in developing skills as a leader and engaging in rigorous professional development.
• Willingness to be flexible, learn, implement changes and grow.
• Evidence of ability to be a team player.
• Potential impact of the experience on an organization and the larger community.

Additional questions?

Please don’t hesitate to contact us at LeadInMN(at)gmail(dot)com with any additional questions, or if you’d just like to talk about how this unique cohort experience might align with wherever you find yourself on your own leadership journey. We’d also love to see you at one of our upcoming information sessions. 

- See more at: http://www.ynpntwincities.org/faqs/#sthash.fNPhrdmo.dpuf