MANDEL CENTER FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
LINKS FOR NEW LEADERS
Mandel Center Links for New Leaders (formerly known as Leaders’ Network) is an outstanding professional development program that allows nonprofit executives, who are newer to their position, to participate in purposeful peer–to-peer learning. It was launched in 2005 by the Mandel for Nonprofit Organizations at Case Western Reserve University in response to significant change in Executive Director/CEO/President positions in the Greater Cleveland area. Links for New Leaders is based on the Mandel Center’s extremely successful Leaders’ Links program, created in response to nonprofit executives’ expressed interest in immediately applicable peer-to-peer learning and discussion that is focused and confidential.
Each Link for New Leaders group consists of five to seven executive directors/CEOs/presidents representing organizations from a range of nonprofit sub-sectors, including social services, education, the arts, community/economic development, environmental, health or social justice). This unique opportunity for peer-to-peer learning, utilizing a modified action learning process, has proven to be informative, helpful, and enjoyable.
What Outcomes Can Result from Participation in Links for New Leaders?
- LEARNING - The format is designed to help meet participants’ individual and collective learning goals, increase each participant’s understanding of his or her own work and roles, and provide a learning experience in which the knowledge gained is immediately applicable.
- SUPPORT - Members have a common bond as nonprofit executives and are able to share experiences and ideas that work.
- TRUST - All information shared during a session is considered confidential. This creates a safe environment for sharing. As a group works together, trust builds.
- PROBLEM-SOLVING - Members can discuss, receive support, and obtain feedback on resolving tough issues - whether they are professional, personal, or organizational.
- CONNECTION - Participation in Links for New Leaders reduces the sense of isolation felt by many nonprofit executive directors, CEOs, and presidents. It re-affirms, and even builds, their confidence and competence.
- NETWORKING - Links for New Leaders promotes a spirit of collegiality. Participation helps busy leaders take needed breaks, establish friendships, and develop relationships with their peers.
- ALLIANCES - Networking leads to additional organizational benefits. For example, participants in Leaders’ Links and Links for New Leaders report that a number of organizational alliances were formed as a result of collaborative ties.
- RENEWAL - Participation also helps reduce stress, tension, and the risk for burnout.
- INFORMATION, TOOLS - Group members often provide each other with specific resources that are targeted to meet group or individual learning goals.
- COST SAVINGS - Participation in a Link for New Leaders can be far less expensive and more effective than programs that may not be targeted to meet specific learning needs or manuals that often sit on shelves.
How Links for New Leaders Works
- With assistance from the Mandel Center, a small
group of nonprofit executive leaders is formed to support
individual and group members' learning – learning that is
immediately applicable to career, personal or organizational
life.
- At each session, each participant is given time to discuss an issue or
area of interest of his/her own choosing. The group provides
feedback, encouragement, support, and the benefit of the
members’ own experience to help the individual gain clarity,
perspective, and/or resolution of the matter he or she has
raised. Participant engagement is a key to the success of the Link.Each Link for New Leaders includes a trained
facilitator who guides the group's work together.
- Each session lasts for approximately two hours;
participants determine the days, time, and location of the
sessions.
- In the initial session, participants become
familiar with the Links for New Leaders’ process and begin to
know each other. Participants agree to hold the content of their
discussions in confidence.
- At the end of each session, participants evaluate
the session’s effectiveness.
- A Link for New Leaders commits to meeting for eight
sessions, generally held over a period of eight or nine months.
Subsequently, participants may choose to continue meeting for an
additional series of sessions, or they may have an option to
join a new Link.
- Mandel Center Links for New Leaders A program of the
Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations of Case Western
Reserve University Participants may request to be linked
to a highly experienced nonprofit leader, usually a member
of Leaders’ Links, for coaching/mentoring on a specific
issue or to learn more deeply about a topic of great
interest. The Mandel Center will help to facilitate this
connection.
Fees:
Fees are based on the annual budget of the participant’s organization. For the initial commitment of eight sessions, fees are as follows:
Less than $1 million $295
$1 million to $3 million $375
Over $3 million to $8 million
$445
Over $8 million $515
To Paricipate
New groups are formed on a rolling basis. Those who are interested in participating may complete and submit a Participant Information Form.
Additional information:
Michele Murphy, MNO, Lead Facilitator, Professional Development Programs Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations, (direct) (440) 930-0097; murphymichele1@hotmail.com (office ) (216) 368-5214; michele.murphy@case.edu
Links for New Leaders - An Introduction and Invitation to Participate