This overview serves as an outline of what to expect in the 2025 Emerging Leaders Program. We will be tailoring the program to best suit the needs of our participants, including webinar dates and content. This curriculum is subject to change to meet these needs. There will be additional, optional networking and professional development opportunities. The times listed are estimates only.
Pre Program
September 2024
- Provide initial data and feedback through a questionnaire (15 minutes)
- Receive tools to serve as an SWCS leader, including press release templates, SWCS organizational information, program outline, and other resources.
Module 1: You as a Leader
Late September 2024
- Program Kickoff Webinar (2 hours)
- Define what leadership means to you
- Leading yourself
- Addressing your barriers to leadership and growing confidence
- Determine your leadership style and outline your goals by creating a leadership vision (15 minutes)
Early October 2024
- (optional) Virtual Networking Session - Meet other program participants through an informal session (1 hour)
Late October 2024
- Time Management Webinar (1 hour)
- Learn skills to manage and prioritize your workflow
Module 2: Community Building
November 2024
- Community Building/Events Planning Webinar (2 hours)
- Understanding the value of social capital and why we host events
- Essentials of event planning
- Receive an activity planning toolkit
Early December 2024
- Effective Communication Webinar (1 hour)
- Public speaking and presentation skills
- Media toolkit (social media, branding)
Module 3: Leading Others
January 2025
- Leading Others Webinar (2 hours)
- Working with different personality types and those outside your demographics
- Serving the historically underserved
- Persuasion, selling conservation, the importance of story-telling
- Partnership development – connecting with SWCS industry professionals
February 2025
- (optional) Virtual Work Session with staff (1 hour)
- (optional) A Quick Guide to Webinars (1 hour)
- Planning and hosting effective virtual events
March 2025
- (optional) Virtual Networking Session (1 hour)
April 2025
- (optional) Virtual Work Session with staff (1 hour)
Module 4: Knowledge into Action
March - June 2025
- Complete a conservation activity or event (time varies)
- Submit a form with your plans so SWCS can help market your activities and connect you with potential partners (10 minutes)
- Complete a recap form to provide headquarters with impact details (15 minutes)
Activity Examples:
- An event, such as a workshop, field day, workplace tour, networking event, cleanup, or roundtable that promotes conservation
- A public speaking opportunity at an event or directly with producers/landowners
- A partnership with an outside organization to accomplish a shared conservation goal
- An outreach project to promote a conservation effort, practice, policy, or program
- A team-building activity with your colleagues or other partners
May 2025
- (optional) Supplementary webinar/networking session/work session – to be determined based on the needs of program participants
June 2025
- Program Wrap-Up Webinar (1 hour)
- Reflect on your experiences in the program
- Revisit and update your leadership visions from Module 1
- Learn about opportunities to stay engaged and involved with SWCS
August 2025
- (optional) Attend the 80th SWCS International Annual Conference (4-day event)
- Participate in ELP-specific and/or exclusive sessions
- Opportunities to present at sessions
- Networking events
- Recognition and professional visibility for participants
Program Follow Up
August 2025
- Submit a final report (15 minutes)
- Reflect on the program and provide feedback
2025 program release waiver.