The Leadership Lancaster Core Program is designed to increase participants’ knowledge of Lancaster County and to enhance their leadership skills to better serve the volunteer community.

During sessions, class members study the county’s health and human services delivery strategies, education and legal systems. They examine the county’s economic structure, the workings of government and the role of the arts. Participants sharpen leadership skills and learn about the major issues in Lancaster County. They spend four days in retreats learning about themselves, their team’s structures and each other.

Program elements include:

Orientation Objective: To preview program features and expectations to be introduced to new class participants. Open Retreat (Mandatory) Objectives: To recognize personal leadership styles.  To gain a better understanding of group dynamics. Skills: Collaboration: to work with others to complete tasks/goals and make decisions with shared responsibilities, resources and accountability.  Team Building: to create a sense of community and make group decisions.   Inclusion: to have an understanding and openness to similarities and differences.   Dialogue: to have authentic two-way communication that confirms personal competence. County Tour Bus Tour of Lancaster County Objective: To experience an overview of Lancaster County's uniqueness and diversity. Skill: Trusteeship: to see the big picture and be able to act upon the common good.     Health & Human Services Objectives: To identify and recognize the needs of the delivery systems, which respond to health care and human needs. To analyze public/private sector responsibility to meet those needs. Skills: Consensus building: to create win-win situations that ensure all have been listened to and honored for their expertise and feelings. Problem Solving: to be able to handle challenging situations and come to decisions.   Law & Justice Objective: To gain knowledge of the justice system, the agencies providing public safety, and the impact of crime on victims and defendants in Lancaster County. Skills:  Problem Solving: to be able to handle challenging situations and come to decisions. Collaboration: to work with others to complete tasks/goals and make decisions with shared responsibility, resources and accountability.   Arts & Culture Objective: To examine the arts and art organizations in our community and their contributions to the quality of life. Skill: Trusteeship: to see the big picture and be able to act upon the common good.   Public Policy & Economic Development Objectives: To examine local government and gain insight into how the political process works. To explore ways to become more involved in local government issues. To focus on the current economic climate of Lancaster County and future issues. Skills: Negotiation: to participate in problem solving and meet some key interest of all involved. Coalition Building: to create a sense of connectivity among groups who come together for a common purpose.   Leadership Advantage Board Training Workshop (See our Link under "Advantage")   Changes in Public Education Objectives: To increase the understanding of the current state of public education, adult educational reform. To look at the impact of change and diversity in education and to learn about the citizen's role in the process. Skill: Problem Solving: to be able to handle challenging situations and come to decisions. Understanding Our Differences Objective: To begin to understand and embrace the diversity in our County. Skills: Inclusion: to have an understanding and openness to similarities and differences.  Conflict Mediation & Resolution: to open and/or improve dialogue to help reach an agreement. CAT Presentations Objective: To share projects with classmates. Closing Retreat Objectives: To reflect on what was experienced and learned during the class year. To channel the participants’ awareness, skills and knowledge into action. Skills: Visioning: to be able to see the possibilities for the future, to use creative thinking and to inspire and mould confidence of others. Personal commitment: to be able to articulate one’s commitment to the community and to personal growth and life long learning. Trusteeship: to see the big picture and be able to act upon the common good. Evaluation/Reflections: to assess and learn from experience in a personal, group and community level. Graduation Celebration