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Graduation Requirements

Successful completion of the program requires:

1. Attendance at the opening retreat, closing retreat, and graduation are mandatory, as is attendance at 7 of the 9 monthly sessions in between.
   Missing any time during the program sessions will count as ½ day off (e.g., being late or leaving early).
   
   The dates of all the sessions are outlined in the 2010-11 curriculum overview. Dates are set, but the locations, times and speakers are subject to change.
   
   Updated agendas will be distributed by email prior to each of the monthly sessions. You should always refer to these agendas for location and schedule information.
2. Attendance at two community meetings (at least one hour at each meeting).
   A report indicating the date and time of the meeting, length of time spent there, and three perceptions gleaned from the experience is due at the Leadership Academy session following the meeting. The report should be no more than one page in length.
   
   Community meetings can include:
   
   • County Commissioners’ meeting
   • County Council meeting
   • Town Board/City Council meeting
   • School board meeting
   • Hamilton County Governmental Affairs Committee meeting
   • Chamber Coalition Legislative breakfast
   • Nonprofit organizations’ board meetings:
     YMCA, Red Cross, HCCVB, HCLA, Prevail, Boys & Girls Club, Janus, United Way, etc.
   
   Look in the local newspapers for meeting dates, times and locations or call the organization you are interested in for the meeting information. The only caveat for this graduation requirement: you cannot attend meetings of groups or organizations with which you are already involved or those that are work related.
3. The completion of a class project. Topics are identified and project groups formed at the opening retreat or first full day session. Project guidelines are outlined in the class manual.
   
   

Project Group Guidelines

1. Groups are asked to provide brief written updates to be turned in to the Dean at each monthly session.
   
   If time permits, a representative of the group will be asked to give a verbal report of the project’s status at the end of the monthly sessions. Content should include objective, timeline, progress, problems and/or changes.
2. Projects are to be completed by graduation.
   
   Any extension must be submitted to and approved by the Dean. Requests for extension of project time must include a thorough and detailed timeline and plan with all project members’ signatures on the agreement.
3. Graduation plaques will not be presented until the project is completed.
   
   A written report of results shall constitute completion.
4. A sum of $200 is available for each project group’s expenses.
   
   The expenses must have prior approval from the Executive Director and Dean.
   Invoices for approved expenses may be forwarded to P.O. Box 1414, Noblesville, IN 46061.
   
   For expenses incurred by group members, receipts are required for reimbursement.
   The academy will not provide funds in excess of two hundred dollars.
   
   If additional funds are required, grants or corporate sponsorship should be sought.
5. Use of letterhead, access to funds, or the pursuant of any activity in the name of the Hamilton County Leadership Academy must be cleared through the Executive Director and Dean.
6. Everyone is expected to contribute and participate in projects.
   
   If the group feels someone is not doing so, concerns should be discussed with the Executive Director and Dean.
7. Project groups should be prepared to conduct press interviews on projects and outcomes by mid May.
8. A 5-minute presentation of project results will be given by the group at the graduation ceremony in June.