Program Description

Participants meet two Thursday mornings a month for ten months. This schedules also includes a full-day opening retreat in April, a full day Leadership Summit in August, and an evening graduation in late January or early February. Generally, about 16 individuals are selected annually from a cross-section of the community including education, non-profits, businesses, public agencies, and civic organizations.

Industry days provide participants with an in-depth, insider’s view of Allegany County industries through the professionals who lead them – including government, the judicial system, manufacturing, agriculture, recreation, and more. They engage in site tours, hear from speakers, and enjoy panel discussions.

Curriculum sessions challenge participants to dig deep into their leadership values using the Social Model for Leadership, developed by the Higher Education Research Institute of UCLA. They begin by exploring their own personal strengths, moving gradually from the self to small group engagement to community impact.

Participants join a day long regional Leadership Summit hosted each year at St. Bonaventure University and co-sponsored by Leadership Cattaraugus and Leadership Allegany.

Participants work in small groups throughout the year to plan an industry day and conduct a community service project that supports individuals or service organizations in the county. Participants also write a personal leadership development plan.

At the conclusion of the year, students are honored at a community event and graduation ceremony. As alumni of Leadership Allegany, our graduates have many opportunities to become engaged in and volunteer for the program.