Neighborhood Resident Leadership Certificate Program

The comprehensive Neighborhood Resident Leadership Program helps residents develop skills to more effectively lead in their neighborhoods, work with government and other institutions, and strengthen families and children throughout greater Des Moines.

The program was developed in partnership with the City of Des Moines, Des Moines Area Community College, Des Moines Neighbors, and Making Connections Des Moines with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Individuals who complete of 24 hours of core class instruction and 16 hours of electives will receive the Neighborhood Resident Leadership Certificate.  Coursework can be completed during one semester or spread out over several semesters.  Classes are held at the DMACC Urban Campus, 1100 7th St.

DMACC developed and teaches the 24-hour core leadership courses. DMACC, Des Moines Neighbors and Making Connections Des Moines are teaching the electives.  Classes are offered during the fall and spring semesters.

How to Enroll
Each class in the core curriculum costs $65; cost for elective classes varies. Scholarships are available for Making Connections residents.  To get more information including complete a complete course listing, check eligibility for a scholarship, and register, call Des Moines Neighbors, 280-1807, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Core Curriculum – Spring 2009 Course Offerings
Core courses for the fall semester begin February 17 and end April 2.  They will be held at the DMACC Urban Campus, 1100 7th St., Building 2, Room 103 on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 7- 9 p.m.

• The Power of Working Together
  This class teaches the characteristics of successful teams including understanding goals, placing people in the right places and building diversity.  This class will be held Feb. 17 and 19.
  
  
• Leadership Building Blocks
  This session covers conducting effective meetings.  It will be held Feb. 24 and 26.

• Knowing Me, Knowing You
  This session focuses on understanding how interaction styles and cultural differences impact the effectiveness of groups, so students can work well with anyone in the future.  This class will be held Mar. 3 and 5.

• Communicating For Results
  This class teaches effective communication and negotiation skills useful for influencing community leaders.  Emphasis is placed on relationship development, public presentations, building consensus and leadership styles.  This class will be held Mar. 10 and 12 .

• The Art of Influencing Others
  Students will learn influencing strategies and how to package ideas to gain commitment from even the most skeptical person.  This class will be held Mar. 24 and 26.
  

• Handling Conflict and Change
  In this course, strategies will be identified to help a team successfully overcome conflict and adapt to change.  Topics will include conflict resolution styles, the nine steps of anger management, nonverbal responses, identifying community trends that will lead to change, natural reactions to change, dealing with those reactions and directing the impact of change.  This class will be held Mar. 31 and April 2.
  
  

To learn more, read the Neighborhood Resident Leadership Certificate brochure and Spring 2009 class listing.