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What is Leadership Cortland?
Leadership Cortland is designed to stimulate public-minded thought and energize a group of people who will add to the vitality of our community. The program is carefully organized and precise in its implementation. There are seven seminars, a two-day retreat/training workshop, an experiential hands-on Community Action Project, and a graduation celebration.
The Leadership Cortland Program is part of a national organization of more than 600 Community Leadership Programs that are united in preparing future leaders of the complex challenges facing the communities of our nation.
Participants join Leadership Cortland because they want to become more knowledgeable about our county and want to become more involved on boards, committees, and special projects to improve our quality of life. The presenters are the leaders in Cortland County: the decision makers. The topics are the building blocks of community development: law and justice, education, healthcare, government, economic development, human services, tourism, and more. Boards and board development is an important program component, as well as learning about oneself and working with others. Current leaders discuss the problems they face, the complexities of the issues, and their viewpoints and rationales for their decisions.
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Leadership Cortland IS BACK
Click here to be the first to receive information about the new program: Join The Leadership Cortland Email List
2025-2026 Application Download
For more information contact:
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Leadership Cortland Agenda 2024-2025
Leadership Cortland Program for 2024/2025
- Retreat – required 1.5 Days
- All others are full-day programs with lunch included. The time is about 8 am to 4 pm.
- Facilitator - Julie Matijas, Co-facilitator/consultant - Martha Hubbard
October 24&25: Retreat-Our Foundation 1.5 Days
- Subtopics will include: Program Overview, Understanding Your Leadership Style, Networking, and a County Overview
- Half Day focuses on Project Development
November 14: Human Services and Healthcare
- Subtopics will include the Drug Issue, Housing, Healthcare Challenges, and Childcare
- Skill Building in Strategic Planning
December 12: Economic Development and Doing Business in Cortland County
- Subtopics will include workforce development.
- Visits with businesses
- Skill Building: Inclusion
January 16: City and County Government and Our Criminal Justice System
- Subtopics include County Planning
- Project Development Focus afternoon
February 20: Education Today
- Featuring TC3, SUNY Cortland, Cortland, Homer, and Marathon Schools
- College President
- School Superintendent
- Skill Building: Self Care
March 20: Our Tourism and Agricultural Industries
- Gutchess Park to be featured.
- Agriculture in our region
April 17: Boards, Board Leadership and Volunteerism
- Visits with local non-profit organizations
May 28: Chamber of Commerce CNY Leadership Symposium
June 12: Project Presentations and Graduation
Leadership Cortland Agenda 2025-2026
Leadership Cortland Program for 2025/2026
- Retreat – required 2 Days
- All others are full day programs with lunch included. Time is about 8:30 to 4.
- Director Julie Matijas
October 23 & 24: Retreat-Our Foundation 2 Days - Hometown Studios
- Subtopics will include Program Overview, Understanding Your Leadership Style, Networking, and a County Overview
November 20: Economic Development and Doing Business in Cortland County
- Subtopics will include workforce development.
December 18: Human Services and Healthcare
- Subtopics will include Housing, Healthcare
January 15: City and County Government and Our Criminal Justice System
- Subtopics include Municipal Planning / County Strategic Plan
February 12: Education Today
- Subtopics to feature TC3, SUNY Cortland, Area Schools overview/current issues
March 19: Our Tourism and Agricultural Industries
- Subtopics to feature Tourism, AgriTourism, Sports Tourism
April 16: Boards, Board Leadership and Volunteerism –
- Subtopics to include importance of volunteering, board development and involvement
May 28: Chamber of Commerce CNY Leadership Symposium
June 12: Project Presentations and Graduation
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