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Lower Rio Grande seeks leadership program participants

July 11, 2011

DONA ANA, N.M. — Southern Dona Ana County residents interested in facilitating positive change in their communities are invited to take part in a unique leadership training program. Lower Rio Grande Public Water Works Authority and the Colonias Development Council are partnering with Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) to host the leadership program. RCAC staff members, who are certified to deliver the respected Ford Institute Leadership Program, will conduct the training.

Taught over the course of four weekends in four months, the leadership development curriculum involves 50 hours of classes that include 16 modules designed to help participants gain skills and tools to enable them to become better leaders who effectively collaborate to get things done.

Thus far, RCAC has trained approximately 240 new leaders in communities from Hawaii to New Mexico. As part of the training, the group conceives designs and executes a class project that directly benefits their community.

Leadership training class projects give participants real experience using the tools and concepts they learn in the course. Projects from leadership classes have included the creation of a community website; the formation of a nonprofit social services agency; the revitalization of a dilapidated Indian Senior Center; community beautification programs; park renovation and improvement; a youth summit; a street-scaping venture; and even an “Artist of the Month” project designed to foster a sustainable community arts program.

Headquartered in West Sacramento, California, and serving 13 Western states, RCAC is a nonprofit agency providing technical assistance and training to rural communities that seek to develop a wide range of local services including, community facilities, affordable housing and water treatment facilities. The organization operates a loan fund with $69 million in lending capital that provides low-interest loans and grants to further rural communities’ goals.

Applications for participation are now being accepted. Contact Olga Morales at 575/640-3386 or via e-mail at olgams@rcac.org for more information. Because space is limited, interested residents should complete an application as quickly as possible. For more information about RCAC’s Leadership Training Program>>

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