It challenges participants from diverse backgrounds to assume effective, more active volunteer roles in addressing community needs. We invite you to become a candidate or sponsor a candidate to apply to Leadership Lancaster.

The program runs September through May and includes seven full day Wednesday sessions and two full day Friday sessions, two evening sessions, and two full-day Saturday sessions. Requirements include program attendance, small group project, community board observation (optional), arts and culture observation, and government observation. The topics covered include: public education, public policy, economic development, law & justice, arts community, health and human services and a county tour. Skills covered include: consensus and coalition building, inclusion, negotiation, collaboration and team building, trusteeship, visioning, conflict mediation and resolution, facilitation, personal evaluation, and problem solving and decision making.

There is no application fee and tuition is not due until acceptance. Tuition cost is $1800 per person, ($150 of this amount must be paid by the participant personally) with a limited number of scholarships available. Graduation from the class does not signify the end, but the beginning of a lifetime of opportunities. It is expected that alumni, as trustees of Lancaster, will become active participants in positive change.