Any group of three or more Cornell students
9-12 months
Up to $1,000 for group projects
Mon., Oct. 2
Leadership is a group process. That’s why we offer a Group Certificate in Community-Engaged Leadership to Cornell student groups! Groups that participate gain stronger alignment between their mission or purpose and their day-to-day activities, coaching and mentoring by Einhorn Center staff, group funding and more. Community-engaged leadership is based on the following mindsets:
- Leadership is a group process and collective attribute;
- Leaders build the capacity of groups, and strengthen agency and self-determination of communities;
- Leaders cultivate new leadership; and
- Leaders are lifelong learners, and critical reflection is a prerequisite to lifelong learning.
The program is open to registered student organizations, engineering project teams, fraternities and sororities, residential units, and any other groups of three or more students.
Groups must include at least one undergraduate student.
After successfully earning the group certificate, a group has the opportunity to re-certify each year. By re-certifying, the group maintains a connection to the Center, receives specialized training on topics by request, engages in dialogue with leadership from other groups that have earned this distinction and can apply for up $1,000 annually.
- Support – coaching and mentoring – by Einhorn Center professional staff
- Resources to support the wellness and meaning-making activities of group members
- An accountability mechanism that it can make leadership team and active members feel more fulfilled
- “Badge” to display at ClubFest and when recruiting to distinguish your group
- Promotion by Center on its website, email updates and social media
- Eligibility to apply for $1,000 for a group project (after taking action and holding first critical reflection)
Groups have a full academic or calendar year to complete the program. It is possible to earn the award in one summer break or winter break + spring semester if your group already has a community partner and is committed to attending leadership workshops on a quicker timeline.
The program typically this looks like:
- First semester: 50% of both leadership team and active members participate in workshops and confirm one off-campus community partner; coaching session with two members of leadership team
- Second semester: 50% of group’s active members serve their partner; your designated critical reflection facilitator leads two group critical reflections (after every 10 hours of action); two coaching sessions
- Register for and attend the Orientation to Group Certificate. Next sessions are
- CANCELLED: Wednesday, Sept. 13, 5-6 p.m., 209 Kennedy Hall
- Monday, Oct. 2, 6-7 p.m., 209 Kennedy Hall
- Before attending, speak with one or two other members of your leadership team, and consider who will serve as the core team and if there is a group or subgroup within your organization that might participate in the program. Your core team will include:
- Two liaisons to our Center (to hold three coaching sessions, who also can play the roles below)
- One Critical Reflection Facilitator (to lead two reflections)
- One Community Partner Liaison