History

Leadership Albany was established in 1984 for the purpose of identifying and developing leaders in the Albany, GA area, exposing them to issues and problems confronting the community, informing them about institutions in the community and providing a forum for the participants to better know each other.
   
The program is designed to be an educational experience and as such takes no position and does not attempt to create a consensus or promote specific actions. Rather, it is hoped that the participants with their increased knowledge of the community, a heightened awareness of its institutions and familiarity with its leaders will involve themselves fully in community life and properly utilize their leadership abilities.

  
Leadership Albany's 600+ graduates have gone on to serve the community in a variety of ways:

• Serving on community service boards
• As elected officials
• As volunteers

Because of their experience in the Leadership Albany program, alumni have organized and developed several projects such as:

• Keep Albany/Dougherty Beautiful (Clean Community Commission)
• Dougherty Leadership Development Institute (for persons with diverse abilities)
• Generation Success (regional student leadership program)
• Choices (helping 8th grade students understand importance of academic decisions)

Organization

Leadership Albany, Inc. is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors who are Leadership Albany program alumni and are elected by the alumni membership. Leadership Albany, Inc. accomplishes its mission through the following programs:

Leadership Albany Class

The purpose of the Leadership Albany class is to educate, prepare and inspire leaders to address the challenges facing the Albany area.

Each class, made up of approximately thirty individuals, is selected each year based on a competitive application process.  Emphasis is placed on selecting participants from a cross-section of the community based on gender, ethnic background, profession, and volunteer experience. 
  
The Program schedule begins with an orientation in late August, followed by a two-day retreat in early September and continues through May with monthly day-long sessions. These sessions are filled with activities, and hands-on experiences related to community issues and leadership skills. The experience concludes with a commencement program in late May. In addition to these sessions, participants must attend a school board meeting, city and county commission meetings and participate in a community service project. Attendance at the opening and mid-year retreats is mandatory and only two absences from the other sessions are allowed. 

Alumni Program

The purpose of the Leadership Albany Alumni program is to provide continuing opportunities for leadership development, networking and service to the community.

Leadership Albany program graduates and members of the Charter Board qualify for membership in the Leadership Albany Alumni Association. Annual dues are $60, payable in April of each year. Benefits include invitations and discounts on special events and access to the online searchable database and directory.