Flagship Series (FLG)

Flagship is the core Leadership Anne Arundel program. It includes an intense curriculum of civic information and leadership skills development. Each summer approximately 40-45 individuals are selected for this comprehensive, hands-on, multi-disciplinary study of Anne Arundel County. The class is composed of a cross-section of the Anne Arundel County community, representing our ethnically, socially, economically, and geographically diverse population. Each year’s Flagship program has a different theme.

Meet our 2008 Class Participants

The nine-month program kicks off in September with an evening orientation, a countywide bus tour and overnight opening retreat. By the end of the month, participants gain an understanding of what constitutes leadership as well an introduction to the infrastructure, natural resources and current political issues of Anne Arundel County.

Following September’s retreat, participants meet for a full day each month. The program is based on a model that incorporates three key domains for developing community leaders: building community knowledge, developing leadership skills, and gaining a philosophical understanding of community trusteeship.

To build community knowledge, participants are introduced to critical regional issues, meet and discuss issues with leaders from the public, private and non-profit sectors and identify areas of community need and methods required to succeed as community leaders. Sessions focus on the following issue areas:

• Government
• Education
• Law and Public Safety
• Health & Human Services
• Economic Development
• Environment
• Cultural Arts

The program also provides participants with the opportunity to build upon and practice their leadership skills. Skill development areas are selected based on the works of recognized researchers and authors, such as Daniel Goleman, Ronald Heifetz, James Kouzes, and Barry Posner. They include identifying issues, inspiring a shared vision, challenging the process, modeling the way, fostering collaboration, holding values and encouraging the heart. Woven throughout the program are the philosophical concepts of community trusteeship that value a deep commitment to the community by envisioning a preferred future, empowering others to act, and acting on behalf of the common good for all concerned.

A mid-year retreat is held in February to concentrate on leadership skills and select group projects. The goal of group projects is to identify a community problem and design and implement an action plan to help resolve the problem. Through the project teams, participants practice their new leadership skills while providing a valuable community service.

A year end retreat is held in May to celebrate the class’ achievements. Many graduates go on to use their leadership skills to serve the community as founders of social programs, board members of non-profit organizations, or elected officials.

Each session is planned by a committee of past LAA graduates. The chairs for each of these committees form a Program Committee, which oversees the Flagship Program. This Program Committee is chaired by a member of LAA's Executive Committee.

Anyone interested in LAA’s Flagship program is encouraged to apply. Applications are accepted through May 1st for that fall’s class. The program is tuition-based with some scholarship assistance available. Continuing education credits are also available.

Leadership Anne Arundel Seeks Rising Stars

Leadership Anne Arundel is seeking applicants for the 2008 - 2009 Flagship class. This signature leadership program offers current and promising community leaders a chance to network while learning new and innovative leadership skills. You will explore every area of Anne Arundel County on your personal leadership journey.

If you are a rising star, with a desire to offer excellence in leadership to our county, apply for the Flagship program today. Click here to download the Flagship 2008-2009 application. (pdf) or (Word doc)

For more information about the application process and our upcoming information sessions, call 410-571-9798 or e-mail alli@leadershipaa.org.

Click here to meet the members of previous Flagship classes.