• To identify current and emerging leaders and provide them with knowledge and skills to foster vision, revitalization, transformation and strengthening of our communities and the County as a whole.
• To inspire them to be catalysts for positive change, now and for the future.
• To motivate them to become active participants in the civic life of the County, working cooperatively to solve County problems in order to improve the quality of life in our communities.
  
  
  

Background:

• Philadelphia developed the first leadership program in 1959.
• There are over 500 leadership organizations in the United States.
• Leadership Orange is a member of the National Association for Community, an organization composed of Leadership programs across the country.
  
  
  

First Steps:

• The idea to start a program came from the Orange County Chamber of Commerce.
• Focus groups were conducted to determine need.
• Consequently, in November 1992, a Board of diverse individuals was chosen to develop the program for Orange County.
• Seed money came from the Times Herald‑Record and International Paper.
• The first Leadership Orange class met in September 1993.
• A Board of Directors volunteers its time to run the program. They market, raise funds and develop sessions for the classes.
• Strong support comes from the Orange County Citizens Foundation, the Chamber of Commerce of Orange County and the Orange County Partnership.
• The Leadership Orange Award is presented each year to an outstanding community leader at the Partnership Annual Event.
  
  
  

Goals:

• Identify and nurture existing and potential community leaders.
• Increase their knowledge of the Orange County community and its issues.
• Increase their leadership skills.
• Develop networks of individuals through contact with speakers, board members, class members and alumni to help each other solve community problems.
• Enable graduates to be more effective participants in the civic life of the community; to serve effectively on not‑for‑profit boards, school boards, commissions in public offices, and community action groups that are critical to the community's well being.
  
  
  

Overview:

Classes average 32 members.

Participants attend an orientation retreat that focuses on leadership and team building.

Monthly sessions follow with a graduation ceremony in June.

Topics for the classes include: Communication and Media Relations, Government and Politics, Leadership Skills, Culture and Recreation Environment, Education, Economic Development, Public Safety and the Judicial System and Health and Human Services.

Application:

Candidates for Leadership Orange must be concerned about the future of the County and be committed to personal involvement in shaping it. The program looks for applicants who are creative, risk takers, effective communicators and who have a sincere commitment, motivation,and interest in serving the community. They must be able to commit the time to fulfill the program requirements, attending all sessions and completing all class assignments.

Candidates must either live or work in Orange County. The Selection Committee looks for a diverse mix of occupations, race, religion, national origin, gender and age. Every attempt is made to select people from all over the County who work in both the public and private sectors.

Leadership Orange is a tuition‑based program, generally paid by the candidate's sponsoring organization or employer. There are limited funds available for partial scholarships.

The Selection Committee reviews all applications. The program is competitive. There are about twice as many applications as there are places available in each class. The committee strives for diversity, so applicants who are not accepted are encouraged to reapply the following year.

How can you become involved?

You can support Leadership Orange in many ways. Here are just a few:

• Apply to the program. Classes have included people from all levels of leadership.
• Recommend the program to people who would be excellent candidates.
• Support a candidate from your organization.
• Donate money, sponsor a lunch or give time to the cause.