Peer Learning Circles for Nonprofit EDs and emerging leaders

Posted by La Salle Nonprofit Center on October 15, 2018

Peer Learning Circles Cultivate Leadership Skills

One of the most effective ways The Nonprofit Center has been successfully nurturing leadership growth and development, for both current executive directors and emerging leaders, is through peer learning circles. These are small ongoing groups which gather monthly to freely discuss issues that only nonprofit executive directors (or emerging leaders) experience. They are designed for professionals who recognize the benefit of a cohort of peers who value participation in a confidential think tank where they can jointly problem-solve among others who are equally committed to increasing their leadership capacity.

How do Peer Learning Circles Work?
Groups of 7 or 8 nonprofit peers meet monthly for eight months for the shared experience of brainstorming, problem-solving, professional development and support on issues that are common to nonprofit leaders regardless of their organization. These groups offer:

• A cohort of peers who are experiencing similar challenges and demands
• A confidential environment in which to share, vent and brainstorm
• A professional facilitator who keeps discussions on track

Who benefits?
Is yours the kind of organization that would profit from a leader who has the benefit of a personal think tank, who would gain from the experience and expertise of others in similar positions? The more appropriate question is what kind of organization wouldn’t benefit from that kind of unique support?

What’s the next step?
Based on requests for this unique support, The Nonprofit Center is forming both an Executive Director Learning Circle and an Emerging Leaders Learning Circle to begin this winter.

You can read more about our pioneering Peer Learning Circles on our website:

https://www.lasallenonprofitcenter.org/what-we-do/leadership-advancement/peer-leadership-learning-circle/

Email us at ulmer@lasalle.edu for the Executive Director application or for the Emerging Leader application for the circles beginning in February 2019.

For questions, contact Joan Mintz Ulmer at 215-951-1710, ulmer@lasalle.edu.