Here's what to expect from the 2027 Emerging Leaders Program (ELP). We shape the curriculum around the people in the Program, so webinar dates and topics may shift to fit what this cohort actually needs. Beyond the core program, you'll also have access to extra networking and professional development opportunities along the way.
Program Overview
- • Pre-Program (September 2026)
-
Goals: Accept your position in the cohort and receive tools to serve as an SWCS leader.
Due September 9
- Provide initial data and feedback through the pre-program questionnaire (15 minutes)
By September 17
- 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 (September–October 2026)
-
Goals: Define your leadership style, address barriers to leadership, establish a leadership vision with your goals and commitments, determine your personal motivations, build your confidence as a leader, and learn time management strategies.
September 24 (1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. CT)
- Program Kickoff Webinar - Define what leadership means to you, learn about leading yourself, address your barriers to leadership and growing confidence (2 hours)
October 7 (10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. CT)
- (optional) Virtual Networking Session - Meet other program participants and alumni through an informal session (1 hour)
October 20 (12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. CT)
- Time Management Webinar - Learn skills to manage and prioritize your workflow (1 hour)
Due October 23
- Determine your leadership style and outline your goals by creating a leadership vision (15 minutes)
- • Module 2: Community Building (November–December 2026)
-
Goals: Receive event planning essentials and support toolkit, understand the value of social capital, and learn effective communication and public speaking tools.
November 19 (11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CT)
- Community Building/Events Planning Webinar - Understand the value of social capital, why we host events, essentials of event planning, receive an activity planning toolkit (2 hours)
December 2 (12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. CT)
- (optional) New Member Welcome - Learn more about your SWCS member benefits and other ways to get involved with the Society (30 minutes)
December 9 (12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. CT)
- Effective Communication Webinar – Public speaking and presentation skills, receive a media toolkit (1 hour)
- • Module 3: Leading Others (January–April 2027)
-
Goals: Gain insights into working with different personality types and backgrounds, receive storytelling and persuasion tools, learn local organizing resources and strategies, gather tools for developing partnerships, and connect with SWCS staff and community.
January 12 (1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. CT)
- Leading Others Webinar - Working with different personality types and those outside your demographics, connecting with others, storytelling (2 hours)
February 10 (3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. CT)
- (optional) Virtual Networking Session - Meet other program participants and alumni through an additional informal session (1 hour)
March 16 (2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. CT)
- (optional) Alumni Event Panel - Hear directly from Alumni about their event planning experiences, tips and tricks, and words of advice (1 hour)
Due April 7
- Mid-program check-in survey (15 minutes)
- • Module 4: Knowledge into Action (March–August 2027)
-
Goals: Host a conservation activity or event, brand yourself as an SWCS Emerging Leader, find opportunities to stay engaged with SWCS, learn about the ELP Alumni Network, and participate in networking and learning sessions at the 82nd SWCS International Annual Conference (optional).
March to June 2027
- Complete a conservation activity or event to receive your Conservation Events Planner Certification (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 quiz on the Community Building/Events Planning Webinar and receive 100%
- Due July 1, 2027 - Complete post-event recap form to provide headquarters with impact details (15 minutes)
Activity Examples:
-
An in-person 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 between 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
-
Support SWCS and the ELP with remote volunteering opportunities
May 11 (12:00 p.m. – 1 p.m. CT)
- (optional) Supplementary webinar/networking session/work session – to be determined based on the needs of program participants indicated in mid-program survey (1 hour)
June 23 (11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CT)
- Program Wrap Up Webinar - 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 (1 hour)
July 25–28
- (optional) Attend the 82nd SWCS International Annual Conference in National Harbor, Maryland – Participate in ELP-tailored sessions, present your work, join networking events, enhance your professional visibility (4-day event)
- Complete a conservation activity or event to receive your Conservation Events Planner Certification (time varies)
- • Program Follow Up (August 2026)
-
Goal: Graduate!
Due August 15
- Submit the post-program questionnaire - Reflect on the program and provide feedback (15 minutes)