West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will offer a second round of its WeLead Academy, a program designed to train local residents on getting involved in civic affairs and local government.
“The feedback from our inaugural academy was so pronounced that we had to do it again,” said WeHo Chamber President and CEO Genevieve Morrill.
WeLead Academy is a four-week program whose curriculum includes topics relevant to serving on advisory or non-profit boards or commissions or running for public office. Last year’s WeLead Academy included presentations by elected officials and others involved in the city such as Abbe Land, Josh Kurpies, Jason Illoulian and David Dickerson, who delivered case study testimonials to the academy students.
Notable members of the community attended the first academy and shared their enthusiasm. Ted Green, a longtime political strategist said, “By participating in the WeLead Academy I not only learned a lot about West Hollywood, I learned some practical skills that help in all areas of my work. And I met some cool people along the way.” Another satisfied participant, Alexander Bazley, General Manager of West Hollywood Gateway added, “WeLead Academy is a great setting to network with passionate and intelligent community leaders. The instructors and guest speakers’ insight boosted my mettle in contributing to important local issues.”
The WeHo Chamber will host an introduction and orientation for up to 30 potential participants on April 8 from 9 to 11 a.m. Interested applicants will complete a questionnaire, and 12 will be chosen for the academy. Those accepted into the WeLead Academy will begin the four-week program on April 22. Each session lasts two and a half hours.
WeLead Academy facilitators and instructors Sam Borelli and Mark Edwards will lead the participants through a curriculum of subjects with special guests and experts who will share their knowledge. Subject matters include effective advocacy in public policy shaping, handling challenging conversations, wow to prepare for public speaking, crafting an effective opinion article, owning your elevator speech and general knowledge of the city and ways to advance one’s role in it.
The orientation, which is free of charge, will take place at The Abbey at 692 N. Robertson Blvd. south of Santa Monica. Applications can be found online.
