About Leadership Fort Wayne (LFW)
Background
Leadership Fort Wayne (LFW) was founded in 1983 by the Fort Wayne Corporate
Council and Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne with partial
funding provided by Lilly Endowment, Inc. The purpose was to ensure high
quality leadership and active involvement of informed and dedicated citizens
to meet the present and future challenges that face the Fort Wayne community.
Since 1983, over 1,000 participants, reflecting a cross section of
the community, have completed the programs and are now taking an active
role as community trustees.
Mission
Leadership Fort Wayne provides leadership development for a diverse
group of citizens to enable them to effectively serve their community.
Outcome Goals
- To identify, develop, and motivate potential community leaders.
- To expand the leadership potential of participants through:
- educational programs designed to broaden their knowledge of
Fort Wayne,
- exposure to existing leadership and civic organizations,
- in depth exchanges on current relevent issues.
- To imrove communication among leaders.
- To provide a channel for participants to gain access to leadership
opportunities and become involved.
- To foster a life-long commitment to community service.
Expectations
Participants are expected to make a commitment to LFW and attend at
least 80% of the regular full-day program sessions. Participants are
also expected to complete assignments and work on a Community Action
Team (CAT). Absences or lack of participation may result in a participant
leaving the program or making up absences the following year.
Community Action Teams (CAT)
Starting in September, class members from the ‘signature’ program
of Leadership Fort Wayne, participate in a dynamic new vehicle for community
service: the Community Action Team (CAT). Based on their personal
interest, each class member is assigned to a Community Action Team. These
teams focus on such community issues as: economic development, community
development, education, and social service.
Leadership Fort Wayne Community Action Teams provide class members the
opportunity to develop their leadership capacities while learning about
and meeting a real community need. LFW is always looking for ideas
for these CAT projects. If you have an idea, please submit
it here.
