Emerging Leaders Academy

UCP has been emboldened by executives who have served affiliates throughout its more than six decades. As we survey the network, we understand that many in this pool of committed leaders will follow the national trend and retire in the next decade. Recognizing that the ongoing strength of the UCP affiliate network relies on nurturing a new generation of leaders, UCP created an Emerging Leaders Academy at the 2012 UCP Annual Conference.

The goal of the UCP Emerging Leaders Academy is to expand and develop the skills of promising nonprofit managers in the UCP affiliate network. The 2012 program was designed with three distinct “academies,” with master class tracks for development, marketing/communications and program leaders. Selected participants attended the master class track for a specific category, as well as general conference sessions, plenaries, receptions and the Awards for Excellence dinner. Through the generosity of 501 (c) Agencies Trust, UCP was able to offer scholarships to 13 Emerging Leaders from UCP affiliates across the country, helping defray the cost of conference registration and travel.

The 2012 UCP Emerging Leaders left the conference energized and ready to implement what they learned at the conference. Each participant selected a project to establish at their affiliate that could then be adapted and replicated by other UCP affiliates. 2012 projects include a detailed plan to build a community-based fundraising program, designing and implementing a health and wellness program and creating an online interactive database of UCP affiliate fundraising collateral, event plans and communication pieces.

UCP is excited to continue the Emerging Leaders Program at the 2013 Annual Conference as we work to ensure a strong UCP network for many years to come.