The City of Casey has launched a new annual program to provide free training for new, emerging and existing community leaders in Casey who want to build their leadership skills and learn about community engagement and local government.
The Community Leadership Program aims to support Casey residents aged 18 and over, who have a desire to make a difference and engage in community life. With expressions of interest now open, no prior experience or knowledge is required.
City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff PSM is looking forward to seeing the launch of the program and supporting participants throughout their journey.
"Council is committed to empowering Casey's future leaders and this program will help provide them with the skills and resources to become leaders within the community."
"The program will not only benefit individual participants and their community groups, but also Council and Casey's community as a whole as it will strengthen community-led networks and local democracy."
The program will run from May to September 2021 and include both online and face-to-face workshops held on Saturdays and Tuesday evenings covering:
- Leadership styles, personal and community leadership
- Communication and presentation skills
- Building community capacity, working with volunteers and local resources, and networking
- Understanding how local government works and how to contribute to the democratic process
- Good Governance, decision making, project planning and goal setting
At the conclusion of the program, graduates will have the opportunity to participate in ongoing networking opportunities where they can gain practical experience in leading community and Council projects.
Expressions of interests are now open until 5.00 pm on Wednesday 31 March. The selection process will include an informal interview and 25 participants will be selected to participate in the program.
The program aims to represent Casey's diversity and is inclusive of all genders, age groups, abilities, Aboriginality, cultures, linguistic backgrounds, sexual orientation, education and employment status. The recruitment of participants will aim to reflect diversity in Casey.
Aligning to the 2020/21 Council Plan objective of launching a citizen leadership program, the initiative was developed in line with a recommendation from the Casey Municipal Monitor's report which called for "the development and implementation of an extensive municipal wide program to develop more and diverse community leaders, greater participation in setting a vison for Casey, and more awareness and interest in local democracy, the role of Council and the responsibilities of Councillors".
