Cooperative Leaders and Scholars Program
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The Cooperative Leaders and Scholars (CLS) program is an opportunity to participate in multi-sector programming and events, and to engage with co-op industry thought leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders. The experience is open to new and emerging cooperators: current employees or board members, post-secondary students, or others interested in working for, creating, or leading a cooperative or cooperative organization.
Designed to deepen and broaden knowledge of cooperatives and the role the model plays in meeting economic and social needs of communities, the program is structured to empower participants to shape their experience for maximum value as they connect and collaborate with peers and industry experts.
As a participant, you will:
- Participate in an 8 month program designed to deepen and broaden your knowledge of cooperatives and the role of the co-op model in meeting the economic and social needs of communities
- Be a part of a community that can provide ongoing peer support and professional development opportunities
- Co-create a capstone project
- Participate in exclusive networking events
- Learn from industry experts in a series of webinars
- Get to know the cohort in-person at a multi-day event in Raleigh, NC from April 21 - 24 that will include co-op tours and training workshops.
- Attend a weeklong event in Washington, DC from October 5 - 10 featuring NCBA CLUSA's Co-op IMPACT Conference, CDF's Cooperative Hall of Fame reception and induction ceremony, a one-day course from the International Centre for Co-operative Management at Saint Mary's University, and co-op tours.
Fellowship includes:
- Registrations for the Co-op IMPACT Conference, Cooperative Hall of Fame, and International Centre for Co-operative Management at Saint Mary's University course
- Raleigh, NC and Washington, DC co-op tours
- Access to exclusive networking events and webinars from industry experts
- Peer-to-Peer and Mentor-to-Mentee opportunities
- Travel stipend ($1,000 total), accommodations, and meals for two in-person events
- $25 metro card for Washington, DC
- $600 honorarium
CLS is open to:
- Emerging cooperators (ages 18 - 35) pursuing a career in or working with cooperatives, credit unions, and mutual insurance.
- Individuals new to cooperatives, credit unions, and mutual insurance with less than five years of experience.
- Post-secondary students of any age with an interest in cooperatives, credit unions, and mutual insurance.
Applicants must qualify under one of the three categories and reside in North America.
Timeline:
- December 9 - Application portal opens
- February 3 - Applications due by 11:59pm ET
- February 14 - Applicants notified of status
- February 24 - Due date to accept program invitation
- March 17 - Cohort publicly announced
- April 2 - Program kickoff (virtual)
- April 14 - 17 - Multi-day in-person meeting in Raleigh, NC.
- June - September - Virtual programming
- October 5 - 10 - Weeklong in-person convening in Washington, DC
- November - Virtual programming
- December 10 - Virtual debrief
Contact Kirstie Boyette at kboyette@ncba.coop for more information.
For technical difficulties, please contact support@submittable.com.