Leadership Harlingen

Why Leadership Harlingen?

Harlingen recognizes the advantages and opportunities of our area and is committed to seeing an emphasis on positive, cooperative action to improve the quality of life for everyone in Harlingen.

The Challenge

How to insure that Harlingen will have the top quality leaders it will need to progress and capitalize on the opportunities of the coming years.

How to identify the outstanding leaders of today and tomorrow, and give them the training to effectively serve the community.

How to give Harlingen residents a broad understanding of the community in which they live and the encouragement to make a difference.

The Solution

Leadership Harlingen

The Program

The program is designed to stimulate an interest in the quality of life in the greater Harlingen area by providing a common meeting ground of shared concerns from all sectors of the community.

It is the goal of Leadership Harlingen that the training will result in an informed network of dedicated leaders who will work actively to influence and guide the direction of change in the community.

Leadership Harlingen develops and enhances community leadership by giving participants expanded knowledge and awareness of the strengths, needs, and issues within the Harlingen area. It offers program participants a broader view of civic leadership through direct contact with a wide spectrum of institutions and people that make the Harlingen area a vital and growing community.

Perhaps Leadership Harlingen’s greatest strength is its non-partisan environment. This enables participants to develop mutual trust and respect that encourage contact beyond the program.

Program Focus

The classroom of Leadership Harlingen is the entire city from corporate board rooms to City Hall. Participants do not just hear from experts and civic leaders; they have the opportunity to discuss issues with them and to present their own ideas and viewpoints. The participants also improve their leadership skills. Activities include:

• On-site visits and discussion of projects in which community leaders serve;
• Exploration of major human service delivery systems within the area: transportation, health care, education, criminal justice;
• Study of the management and fiscal processes within business, charitable and governmental organizations;
• Discussion with area leaders and consultants;
• Investigation of means to insure long-term metropolitan viability: economic development, regionalism, arts and culture;
• Self-development and leadership development.

Good Business

Many employers not only encourage their employees to apply for the program, but may also sponsor them because they recognize the benefits. Leadership positions which play a significant role in the community also play a significant role in an organization. The depth of the program gives participants information they can draw on in their own organizations. In addition, many productive business relationships have been formed through Leadership Harlingen.

Eligibility

Leadership Harlingen seeks individuals who have a commitment to the community, or who want to learn more about the community. These individuals may have already attained high levels of leadership in their respective areas of influence or may be identified as potential leaders. The diversity of the participants is a key element in the success of the program.

The participants are drawn from a variety of backgrounds and from every economic, geographic, and social group in the community. There are no restrictions regarding race, sex, age or religion.

Selection

On the basis of the application, a committee of past program participants and community leaders will select the class participants. Participants will be notified of their selection in August.

In assessing candidates, the selection committee gives special consideration to personal qualifications essential to leadership: motivation to engage in educational activities to improve leadership capacity; a belief in the possibilities for change and improvement through an orderly process, and a commitment to working for development of the Harlingen area.

Participation

Participation in each Leadership Harlingen class is for nine months - September through May. The opening session in September is mandatory with the first portion being held on Thursday evening (welcome reception), and the second portion being held on Saturday. There will be a third session held in September as well. Subsequent sessions are held on the second Thursday of each month with exception of the February session, which will be a trip to Austin. Attendance at each session is required. Those missing more than the allowed 18 hours will not fulfill the minimum attendance requirement and will be asked to withdraw.

Tuition

Tuition of $500 for the 2010 - 2011 class will be due upon acceptance to the program.

Administration

Leadership Harlingen is a program of the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce.

Download Leadership Application