Program Resources:
Project EXCEL: Excellence in Community-Elected and Appointed Leadership

 Extension Program Resources-Community Development 1996

I. Title of Program or Issue: Project EXCEL: Excellence in Community-Elected and Appointed Leadership

A. Situational Statement: Re-inventing government requires enhanced public leadership-management skills. This is particularly true for elected and appointed local officials who face the challenge of managing increasingly diverse communities in constant transition. State and national studies (Volcker Commission, Kettering Foundation, Ohio Commission for the Public Service) have pointed to a "quiet crisis" regarding our civic infrastructure and attitudes about public leadership. In 1991, in Ohio, an estimated 450,000 people worked for local government services.

B. Description/Educational Objectives: Project EXCEL is a personal and team development program for existing and emerging leaders in Ohio's local communities. The core curriculum includes topics such as Personal Leadership Assessment, Situational Leadership, Conflict Management and Dispute Resolution, Problem-Solving in Teams, Communica tions, Short and Long Term Planning, and Foundations for Organizational Development. EXCEL's mission is to help local government leaders mobilize their resources, develop skills, and create the environment that is essential for collaborative problem-solving. The design team envisions the program as an innovative learning resource for existing and emerging local government leaders in small and mid-sized communities. The primary objectives are (1) to provide opportunities for people to assess their individual public leadership and personal development needs; (2) to develop a logical continuing education program for local leaders based on assessed needs and assist them in locating educational resources including OSU Extension. Services include individual assessment, individual and group curriculum development, consulting, teaching and networking.

C. Suggested Time Required for Program: Typically local communities are introduced to EXCEL via a one-half day presen tation of one core curriculum module and grow from there. A six to ten program series covers the core and includes special activities such as the leadership bridge retreat, leadership assessment simulator, and low ropes initiative team building and problem-solving experiences. Final design is participatory, influenced strongly by local suggestions and resources.

D. Audience and Level of Offering: The primary audience for Project EXCEL is people in appointed and elected public positions as well as volunteer citizens serving on boards, commissions and special task forces. Program offerings attract a wide range of citizens, however, who are simply interested in creating a space for collaborative problem-solving. The level of program offerings ranges from highly individualized experiences such as the Assessment Center module to state-wide and regional events such as satellite conferences.

E. Teaching Methods, Resources, Costs: Regarding teaching methods, experiential learning is emphasized within the traditional context of workshops, retreats, conferences and extended learning experiences. Costs vary with materials used, but a typical one-half day module is $10-$15 per participant. Examples of current resources include: OSU Extension faculty at the state, district, and county levels who are specializing in leadership, the Ohio Association for Community Leadership, the Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management. Occasionally private consultants are recommended or representatives from local official associations. Programming partnerships are encouraged. Examples include Lorain Community College, Miami University, and Edison State College.

F. Contact Person: