LGS Facts-At-A-Glance What is Leadership Greater Syracuse? Since 1991 Leadership Greater Syracuse has assembled diverse groups of citizens who share the interests of developing their leadership skills and improving their communities. LGS classes represent a cross-section of business, industry, education, non-profit and government organizations. The leadership program not only teaches class members about the assets and problems of our community, but also about group behavior, transforming communities, and power. Class members forge strong bonds with each other and learn to approach challenges by creatively using their collective talents and experience. How long has LGS been around? Leadership Greater Syracuse was started in 1991 by Charlotte (Chuckie) Holstein and Martin Yenawine, at the encouragement of the then Mayor Thomas Young. The group felt that the community needed a program to train future leaders, who would then serve as trustees for our community, ensuring its preservation and future growth. return to top How many individuals have graduated from the program? As of November 2006, over six hundred and fifty individuals have graduated from the program. A study conducted by graduate students of the Maxwell School at Syracuse University indicated that over 90% of Leadership Greater Syracuse alumni are involved in the community locally, and are already making an impact on our societies. For a list of organizations our alumni are involved in click here How are students selected? Students are either nominated by their employer or they can nominate themselves. They must fill out an application form and submit a non-refundable $30 application fee. A selection committee made up of Leadership Greater Syracuse Board members interviews each applicant. Students are selected based on their commitment and their potential. Class mix is important to the program and the selection committee takes this under careful consideration when selecting the class. They aim for diversity in the places of employment, backgrounds, ethnicity, social class and race of the class members, to enhance the experience and ensure the class is truly representative of the community in which we live and work How many students are accepted to the program? The program accepts approximately fifty individuals each year. We have found that fifty is a manageable size for the class and enhances the learning process Is there a cost to the program? Yes, tuition for the program is $2,950. This covers ten full days of training and meals, as well as a 2 1/2 day retreat. (Tuition assistance is available for qualifying individuals.) Is there any type of tuition assistance? Yes, Leadership Greater Syracuse makes partial tuition assistance available to those individuals who truly demonstrate the need. return to top What’s a typical day like? While there is no such thing as a typical day, all of our class days do have a few things in common. First, we aim to make each day experiential. For example, on Human Needs day, rather than talking about disabilities, we create a situation where the class members are disabled in one way or another. For some class members, we take away the use of one hand, while for others we blindfold them and then ask them to perform a task they would otherwise take for granted. On Media Day, rather than telling the class how to handle themselves with the media, we created a real life situation. Each class member was video taped while being asked questions on the spot. The class then viewed the tape, and together, with the help of a media relations expert, critiqued the interviews. These type of real-life situations help to make a lasting impression on the class members. In addition, all class days end with a recap of what we have learned. Not only are the class members asked to comment and reflect on the day’s topic, but they are also asked to complete a learning log in an effort to solidify concepts and obtain feedback. Visit the Class Description area for additional information. return to top Who plans the curriculum? Experts in the fields of community organization, education, communication, government and politics, human relations, economic development, public policy and other areas generously contribute their time and knowledge in designing and leading day-long class sessions, each of which focuses on a different theme. Class members also participate in selecting topics and designing and leading class days. What type of time commitment is involved? The time commitment is 10 all-day sessions (typically 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.), held on workdays, and participation in an opening 2 1/2 day overnight retreat, which may overlap workdays and weekend. Only 16 hours of excused absences will be allowed to graduate. Participants are also required to assist in planning program days and working on a class community project upon graduation. Occasionally, participants will be required to perform pre-class assignments, reading, or research prior to program days to enhance the learning experience. Participants who fail to fulfill their attendance obligation will be asked to withdraw from the program. return to top Where do you meet for classes? Sites for the program days are chosen based on their relevance to the topic of the day. If the day’s topic is education, we might meet at a local school. If the day’s topic focuses on globalism the class might meet at a local business that is doing business in the global economy, Carrier Corporation for example. Are there leadership programs in other cities? Yes, to find out more about similar leadership programs in other areas visit the Community Leadership Association's web site at www.communityleadership.org, or contact them at (706) 542-0301. Leadership Greater Syracuse is a member of this national association. As an employer, why would I want to send an employee through the program? There are a number of reasons why you would want to send an employee through the Leadership Greater Syracuse program. 1. Through the 10-month course of study, your employee will develop their team-building, organizational, problem-solving, decision-making and communication skills. In addition, they will receive sensitivity training so that they have a deeper understanding of individual cultures and backgrounds. This is of particular importance with today’s diverse workforce. Upon completion of the program, your employee is then expected to put into practice the valuable skills they have learned at work, as well as within the community. 2. The Leadership Greater Syracuse program offers a unique opportunity for your employee to network with a diverse group of individuals. The contacts made through the program provide them with an opportunity for future partnerships, collaborations or new business. 3. Additionally, by sending your employee through the Leadership Greater Syracuse program, you are ensuring that our community will have leaders in place to face the challenges and to affect positive change in our community. A healthy vibrant community does not happen by chance, it takes individuals with vision. It takes leaders. 4. Offering the Leadership Greater Syracuse program to your employees adds to your overall employee benefit package. This is important in attracting and retaining qualified staff, especially in today’s tight job market. By sending your employee through the Leadership Greater Syracuse program, you show them that you are committed to them and the community in which they’ve chosen to raise their family. The cost of the program is nominal while the impact will be felt for years to come. The tuition is only $2,950 for ten program days and a 2 1/2 day retreat. Seems like a small investment considering that you, the employer, your employee and our community all benefit from this training. For a list of the organizations our alumni are currently involved with as a result of the LGS experience click here. return to top Are there any events for alumni? Yes, there are Leadership Greater Syracuse events held throughout the year to which all alumni and current participants are invited. Please check our monthly e-newsletters for more information about upcoming events. return to top What are alumni currently doing in the community with regards to community service? Based on a recent survey, our alumni indicated that they were involved in the following organizations as a result of the LGS experience: 4 Boston ACLU Board of Directors AIDS Community Resources Alianza Soccer Club All-America City Award Alzheimer's Association of CNY American Heart Association-Heart Walk American Lung Association of CNY American Red Cross Board of Directors American Red Cross Northeast Youth Initiative American Red Cross Youth Board (Onondaga Oswego Chapter) American Water Works Association Americorps National Service Program ANCLA Appleseed Trust Co. Board of Directors ARISE Child & Family Services., Inc. Association for Fundraising Professionals Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies ASTD Board of Directors Barry Park Association Big Brothers/Big Sisters Advisory Board Bonaventure Development Corp. (Oneida) Boys and Girls Club of Syracuse Cayuga County Teen Homeless Task Force Cazenovia Chamber of Commerce Central New York Business Journal Central New York Safety Council Central New York Community Foundation CNYAFP Board CNY Community Foundation, Women's Fund CNY Society for Human Resource Management Central New York Regional EMS Council Child Abuse Council Child and Family Services Child Care Council of Onondaga County Board CHIPS Board City of Ithaca Affirmative Action Adv. Committee City Match-Maternal Child Leadership Org. City of Syracuse Planning Commission CNY Charter School for Math and Science Board of Directors CNY Regional Transportation Authority Board CNY Works Come Home To Syracuse Campaign Consortium for Children's Services Cornell Cooperative Extension Corporate Volunteer Council Crouse-Health Foundation Cultural Resource Council (CRC) DePaul Cooperative Day Care Dewitt Rotary DeWitt Town Board District Attorney Minority Advisory Commisson Drop NOW Board of Directors Dunbar Association East Area YMCA Board of Directors Elmcrest Children's Center Empire State College Board of Directors Everson Museum of Art Explorer Scouts Family Ties Network Board Father Charles Community Festival of Trees Finger Lakes Independence Center F.O.C.U.S Greater Syracuse FOX Board of Governors FrancisCorps Francis House Board of Directors Franciscans in Collaborative Ministry Board Friends of Central Library Board Friends of Dewitt Community Library Gingerbread House Board of Directors Girls Inc. Board of Directors Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce Board Greater Syracuse Education Fund Board Habitat For Humanity Board of Directors Habitat For Humanity, Inc. Hand in Hand Hispanic Action League Board of Directors Historic Preservation Board of Directors Home Builders Association of Central New York Hope For Bereaved Board of Directors Hospice of CNY Board of Directors Human Rights Commission Huntington Family Center Interreligious Council Community Wide Dialogue Iroquois Nursing Home, Board of Directors Jamesville Community Church Council Jewish Family Service Junior Achievement Adult Mentors Junior League Lakefront Development Corporation Latina Woman's Conference Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County Leadership Greater Syracuse (LGS) LGS Board of Directors Leukemia & Lymphoma Association Literacy Volunteers of Greater Syracuse Liverpool School District Liverpool Rotary Club Loretto Foundation Board of Directors Lourdes Camp Board of Directors Lyncourt School District Board of Education Make-A-Wish Foundation Board of Directors Manlius Library Board of Trustees March of Dimes Board of Directors Meals of Wheels Media Unit Board of Directors Mental Health Association Board of Directors Mercy Health & Rehabilitation Center Metropolitan Development Association Metropolitan School For The Arts Board MOST-Museum of Science & Technology MONY Foundation Grant Committee Minority Health Coalition Multiple Sclerosis Resources of CNY, Inc. Board National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Upstate Chapter National Public Broadcasting Management Association National Society of Fund Raising Executives Board New York State Section of American Water Works Association NYS Association of Homes & Services for the Aged NYS Bar Association, Executive Committee OnCenter Onondaga 911 Policy Review & Oversight Comm. Onondaga Citizens League Board of Directors Onondaga County Comm. On Aging & Youth Onon. County Convention & Visitors Bureau Onondaga County Executive's Office Onondaga County Public Library Board Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency Board of Directors Onondaga County Stop DWI Board of Directors Onondaga County Traffic Safety Board Onondaga Latino Caucus Onondaga Youth Advisory Council Orange Plus Board of Directors Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company Partners in Education and Business P.E.A.C.E., Inc., Board of Directors Person-to-Person Citizen Advocacy Planned Parenthood of Rochester/Syracuse Region Public Relations Society of America Private Industry Council Radisson Community Association Rape Crisis Center Rescue Mission Alliance RLS Career Center Board of Directors Ronald McDonald House, CNY Chapter Board Roundtable DePaul/Partners Project SAGE/Upstate Saint Vincent DePaul Day Care St. Camillus Foundation Board of Directors St. Elizabeth Medical Center (Utica) Board St Francis Adult Day Services Board St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center Board Salvation Army of The Syracuse Area Samaritan Center S.M.Y.L.E. Solvay Union Free School District, Board of Ed. Southwest Community Center Spirit of American Women Annual Dinner Stop DWI Advisory Board Success By Six, Public Policy Task Force SUNY Educational Technology Officers Assn. Syracuse 2002 Olympics Torch Relay Organizers Syracuse Ad Club Syracuse Area Catholic Charities Syracuse Board of Education Committees Syracuse City Common Council Syracuse City Office of the Mayor Syracuse City Schools Administration Syracuse City School Volunteers Syracuse Executives Association Syracuse First Night Syracuse Jewish Federation Board of Directors Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative Syracuse Onondaga Commission on Aging Syracuse Onondaga County Youth Agency Syracuse Opera Syracuse Stage Syracuse Stage Guild Syracuse Sunshine Rotary Board of Directors Syracuse Swing Dance Society Syracuse Symphony Syracuse Symphony Youth String Orchestra Syracuse Track Club Board of Directors Syracuse Weed & Seed Technical Business Advisory Group Technology Development Organization The Consortium For Children The Jenna Foundation Board Think First of CNY, Inc. Thornden Park Thursday Morning Roundtable Toastmaster's International Tomorrow's Neighborhoods Today Transitional Living Services Trudeau Institute United Way of Central New York Board of Directors United Way of CNY Community Impact United Way Days of Caring United Way Non-Profit Learning Forum Upstate Chapter of the National MS Society Board of Directors Upstate Medical University Foundation Board U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Vera House Board of Directors Volunteer Center Volunteer Center Board Training Committee Yenawine Institute Advisory Board Young Agency, LLC-YLGS Interns YMCA YWCA Board of Directors ZONTA Board of Directors Elected/Appointed to the Following: President, City of Syracuse Common Council City of Syracuse Board of Education City of Syracuse Common Council Onondaga County Legislature Manlius Supervisor DeWitt Supervisor Dewitt Town Council If you are an alumni, who is involved with an organization not listed, please contact the Leadership Greater Syracuse office so that we might update the list: LGSweb@leadsyr.org. return to top