LIDERAMOS is the only national initiative focused on local Latino community leadership. We assist communities intersted in starting a leadership program that is culturally-focused and provides the skills and perspectives to be successful community leaders. The following steps can help you find the resources and tools needed to develop and implement a leadership program. Leadership development takes time, experience, mentoring, and practice. It is approximately a 12-month process to assess community needs and the feasibility assessments for creating a leadership program.
LIDERAMOS offers yearly Latino National Symposiums with special information, mentoring, and resources to help launch new programs.
STEP ONE:
EXPLORE THE NEED FOR A NEW PROGRAM IN YOUR COMMUNITY
1-2 Months
Before undertaking the steps required to build a quality leadership program, we encourage you to investigate the prevalence of leadership development already happening in your community. There is a good chance that an organization or service provider is offering the type of programming you are considering. Also consider finding key allies to partner with that are serving the population of Latinos who you want to engage or that are addressing the same needs you are targeting. Our National Leadership Program Directory can help you identify what services are already being offered, and by whom, in your community. If you determine that there is a need for new program in the community, the remaining steps below can help you build a strong program.
Best Practice:
- Meet with community stakeholders to assess communities desire to host the program.
STEP TWO:
FIND OUT IF THERE IS A LEADERSHIP PARTNERSHIP IN YOUR AREA
3-6 Months
Lideramos’ affiliate Leadership Partnerships seek to be the leading state and local catalysts for leadership development. They work collaboratively to mobilize their communities into action by equipping program managers and training mentors, galvanizing leadership and promoting our national quality standards. Our Leadership Partnerships stand ready to assist you with training and technical assistance as you work toward starting or strengthening your mentoring program.
Best Practice:
- Identify Advisory Board, possible funders and participants for approximately 36 month initial commitment
- Meet with prospective Community Partner(s) and/or leaders to review budget, timeline and role of an Advisory Board.
- Identify the type of program and constituents.
- Identify a sponsoring organization and community resources.
- Begin reviewing data. If favorable, issue start date for program, 6 months out from end of 12 month period.
STEP THREE:
REVIEW LIDERAMOS’ ELEMENTS OF EFFECTIVE PRACTICE FOR LEADERSHIP AND COMPANION TOOLKIT
6-10 Months
The best practices for Leadership Development created by Lideramos, provides quality- and evidence-based standards that include practice experience and training models to help leadership programs ensure cultural focus, effectiveness and sustainability. Structuring your leadership program to adhere to these best practices will help you deliver an excellent leadership program that meets the needs of your community.
Best Practice:
- Organize a curriculum and program design team to review Lideramos program models and identify what fits for your community.
- Identify and secure commitments from resource people, presenters, and facilitators
- Confirm and secure funding and in-kind resources (e.g., facility, equipment)
STEP FOUR:
JOIN THE LIDERAMOS NETWORK
10-12 Months
Lideramos will provide advance training for staff; connect your program with well-established ones; provide training and evaluation tools. Each year a national symposium brings Latino Leadership programs together to learn best practices. A scholarship emphasis assists with evaluation and relevant literature on the unique aspects of Latino Leadership. Your program will benefit from these and other services including an interactive website.
Best Practice:
- Participate in the Lideramos Staff Development Program and The yearly National Latino Leadership Symposiums
- Designated Leadership Department staff member will actively foster, engage and cultivate relationships for expansion of leadership development programs with interested parties/organization