Author : Marisa Cleveland
Publisher :
Page : 136 pages
File Size : 37,65 MB
Release : 2020
Category : Civic leaders
ISBN :
Book Description
"Communities with poor participation by their citizens experience a lack of trust within the community, high crime rates, high levels of unemployment, and poverty (Saegert & Winkel, 2004). Community leadership development programs play an invaluable role in cultivating leaders with the competencies necessary to promote positive change in their communities (Williams & Wade, 2002). Through the lens of Kolb's (1984) experiential learning theory, this qualitative interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study explored the experiences of alumni who participated in a community leadership development program (CLDP) and made meaning from the experiences they gained during the program and as a leader after the program. The research data revealed four major themes resulting from the lived experiences of the study participants: (a) attended learning events that produced emotional experiences, (b) observed improved interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, (c) recognized the importance of value-added contributions, and (d) focused on authentic leadership and informed involvement. The findings from this study offered support for the importance of CLDPs by providing leaders and emerging leaders the opportunity to become informed in ways to contribute to the community, as well as collaborate and network with other leaders to achieve sustainable positive change"--Author's abstract.