Lismore Future Leaders Program Lismore Future Leaders CULTIVATING OUR LEADERS OF TOMORROW An inspiring program that taps into the energy and insight of our young entrepreneurs and future leaders. Challenge your thinking, develop your skills, immerse yourself in the local community and gain the confidence to step up to steer our city into the future. LOCAL LEADERS REGIONAL INSIGHT GLOBAL IMPACT Page 1 of 11 v.2 January 2016
WHAT IS LISMORE FUTURE LEADERS? As a nation, we need to look beyond asking which industries and which markets and instead think about creating a culture of entrepreneurialism. (Bernard Salt, Identifying small business opportunities in the coming decade, KPMG Small Business Development Conference, October 2015) The Lismore Future Leaders program will be a catalyst for building community capacity and engaging our young leaders in an effective leadership skills training and personal development program. It will provide Lismore s entrepreneurs and leaders with an opportunity to connect with all levels of Government, business and industry, community leaders and organisations. The program has its foundations in the Imagine Lismore 10 Year Plan. Together we will develop aspiring individuals who share a passion and drive to make Lismore the city of choice for business and individuals. We will harness the knowledge, expertise and wisdom of our current leaders, economists, and CEOs of the city to develop and mentor our future leaders, helping you to develop projects and ideas that help Lismore grow into ta city that is equipped to withstand the challenges of future development and growth. Do you have an employee who demonstrates imagination and leadership skills. Are you a business owner with an entrepreneurial mindset? Do you exhibit a drive to succeed and grow both professionally and as an ambassador for the City of Lismore? If you do, tell us why you should be considered for a place on this program. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work as part of a small team to develop a project that benefits Lismore and its residents and business community. Page 2 of 11 v.2 January 2016
THE PROGRAM The Future Leaders Program is a structured series of full-day workshops along with mentoring and informal networking between each workshop. After acceptance into the program, our initial workshop will cover a broad overview of the entire program with participants working together to develop a project idea which will then be pitched to our own Dragon s Den. These project ideas will be directly relevant to the leadership goals of the program and successful concepts will form the basis of hands-on work for the duration of the program. Six one-day workshops will give participants opportunities to hear current Lismore leaders and industry experts who will share knowledge, answer questions, and develop leadership skills. Participants are supported by their sponsor/mentors/employer, and the Program Facilitator. OUTCOMES At the end of the program, our future leaders will: Understand and be motivated to contribute to the future success of Lismore and appreciate the importance Lismore plays in the Northern Rivers region; Understand what good civic/corporate/community leadership means and gain leadership skills and business capabilities to benefit their employer; Understand how to develop their own leadership capabilities. Have learnt from our leading local business and community leaders about the city and its key businesses and industries. Be informed about Lismore s key drivers, opportunities and issues and how they are interrelated. Have contributed to, and developed and implemented a project that benefits the city, the business community, and its residents. Page 3 of 11 v.2 January 2016
Nurtured their drive and enthusiasm for making Lismore one of Australia and the world s greatest places to live and work. Participants will have the opportunity to work with experts and leaders in their areas, from economists to CEO s, not-for-profit organisation leaders and others in the Lismore or wider community who have much to offer our Lismore Future Leaders. For this inaugural Future Leaders program, specific topics covered in each workshop may be re-sequenced and refined as we progress based on feedback from participants, businesses and the Steering Committee. 100% attendance target with 80% attendance required to graduate the program. Introductory weekend workshop Late January/early February 2016 This residential workshop is compulsory for participants. Highly recommended for employers, sponsors, steering committee, program speakers. We ll get to know each other, start to build and work in teams. Mentoring and effective networking. Over 2 days, it s a crash course in how our city works. Urban design. Governance. History and before. Place and culture. Social composition. Business composition. Industry sectors retail, manufacturing, hospitality, tourism, social services, health, education. Economy. Environment. Infrastructure. How Lismore works and it relates to the wider community/world. What happens here (that we have control over) and what external forces impact on our community, eg State/Federal Government. What s important (and what s not) and how do you work that out. Environmental Scan how do we know what we need? (we will be identifying projects that address root causes no bandaids). Page 4 of 11 v.2 January 2016
And we ll work in teams to develop a project idea that ultimately will be put into action but first you ll write your pitch and present it to our own Dragon s a group of business leaders who will select the successful project/s that will underpin our Future Leaders Program. Workshop 1: March 2016 Leadership, Civic Leadership, Project Management Workshop 2: April 2015 Mentoring/Networking/Team Building Workshop 3: May 2016 Place, Respecting Culture, history, awareness.. and the flow on effects tourism? Boosting business Workshop 4: June 2016 Funding, Micro Finance and Resourcing, how to write a tender document or apply for a grant Workshop 5: July How will the project work the detail Workshop 6: August 2016 Embedding the Project (handing it over) Wrapping it up:september 2016 Graduation! Page 5 of 11 v.2 January 2016
GOVERNANCE The program is a collaborative partnership between NORTEC and Lismore City Council. The Program Facilitator has responsibility for delivery of the program objectives. The program is guided by a Steering Committee of 8 local leaders and is a hands-on stakeholder reference group. Their function is to maximise the value of the project for participants and sponsors. Steering Committee Jenny Dowell (Chair) Mayor, Lismore City Council Kym Kranen Manager, Small Business Solutions, NORTEC Kevin Franey Partner, Thomas Noble Russell Graham Smith Partner, WCA Accountants Andrew Stevens Principal, Crowe Horwath Darryl Piper CEO, Bennett Constructions Margot Sweeny CEO, Summerland Credit Union Brent McAlister Executive Director, Sustainable Development, Lismore City Council Page 6 of 11 v.2 January 2016
INVESTMENT The Lismore Future Leaders program is possible with the generosity and support of our program and participant sponsors. We ask each participant to pay a fee of $5,000 + GST ($5,500) payable upon acceptance into the program. Fees may be paid by the individual or their employer prior to program commencement. In return the program participants undertake a unique learning journey which will challenge, inspire, and ultimately harness the drive and passion to make Lismore a city equipped for the future and a preferred destination to live and work. Payment plans may be negotiated and you should contact the Program Facilitator to discuss this option. SCHOLARSHIPS There will be limited capacity to offer scholarships in the inaugural program in 2016, however it is desirable that scholarship will be available in future years with the support of philanthropic, corporate and government partners. Contact the Program Facilitator to discuss how you can contribute to this unique program and give a Lismore Future Leader the opportunity to shine. HOW TO APPLY To apply, you need to complete the application form which can be obtained from the Program Facilitator. After applications are assessed participants will be contacted early January 2016. The program will commence with a 2-day residential workshop at the end of January/early February 2016. There will be up to 15 places offered in the inaugural program. Page 7 of 11 v.2 January 2016
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Who can apply for the program? Anyone who operates or works for a business in Lismore can apply for the program. If you are employed in a larger organisation or a government organization, there may be in-house processes in place to enable your participation and you should talk with your boss first. Do I have to live in Lismore? Yes, you need to live in Lismore, and your business or that of your employer needs to operate in Lismore too (but may also have offices in other parts of the North Coast region). This program is about the betterment of Lismore and as such, location is important because this program is about leadership in businesses that are dependent on the local market. How much does the FLP cost? The cost for the program is $5,000 (+GST) per person. This includes all associated costs, eg field trip transport, materials, speakers, meals, etc for each of the workshops. How long does the FLP program take? The program will take place over 9 months. Starting with a weekend workshop at in late January/early February 2016, with workshops and other activities taking place 1 day per month for 6 months. It is anticipated that there will be homework in between these workshops, along with other mentoring and networking sessions as well. The program will conclude with a graduation celebration in September 2016. Is the FLP an accredited course? No, the Lismore Future Leaders program is not accredited. You can however, feature your participation on your resume, or as evidence of workplace and community activities if you were to apply for formal study. Page 8 of 11 v.2 January 2016
Can I be a program sponsor? Yes, you can certainly be involved by contributing as a program sponsor, or perhaps providing a scholarship for a future leader. Can I suggest a project for the program even if I m not doing the program? Absolutely. There are no limits to the range of projects that could be developed as part of the Future Leaders Program. All projects are pitched and successful projects are are chosen by our Dragon s. Does my employer need to pay for me to participate in the program? Your employer can pay for you to participate as a staff development activity, you can pay for your place in the program (but your employer will still need to support your involvement), or it may be a combination and that is between you and your boss. How much time do I need to commit to the program? At a minimum, you ll need to commit to one weekend workshop, and 1 day per month for 6 months. There will be other activities that are optional, but the more you contribute, the better the program will be for you and other participants. How many places are there in the program? The inaugural program will be run in 2016 and we anticipate up to 15 participants. Can I be a mentor for participants? If you are interested in mentoring or providing expertise in a specific area, you need to contact the Program Facilitator to discuss your involvement. Can I register my interest in being a speaker for the program? Please contact the Program Facilitator to discuss your involvement. Page 9 of 11 v.2 January 2016
TERMS & CONDITIONS Cancellations: Cancellations received up to 10 working days prior to the program will incur a 30% cancellation fee. Cancellations between 10 working days prior and 3 working days prior incur a 50% cancellation fee. No refunds will apply for cancellations within 3 working days of program commencement date. Cancellation must be in writing. In the event of program cancellation by us, participants will be entitled to a full refund. Transfers: Transfers received up to 10 working days prior to the program commencement date will incur a 10% administration fee. Transfers between 10 and 5 working days prior to the program commencement will incur a 30% transfer fee. Transfers requested less than 5 working days prior to the program commencement will incur a 50% transfer fee. Transfer requests must be in writing. This policy applies to all participants and may be varied by NORTEC at its discretion, from time to time without prior notice. Page 10 of 11 v.2 January 2016
CONTACT AND MORE INFORMATION Ellen Kronen Program Facilitator Lismore Future Leaders Program NORTEC Small Business Solutions m 0408 898 972 e EllenK@nortec.org.au Page 11 of 11 v.2 January 2016