Northern Collin County Leadership Program: Expansion & Name Change For the past seven years, the McKinney Chamber of Commerce has managed the Northern Collin County Leadership Program (NCCLP) for smaller communities in Collin County north of Highway 380. With rapid growth in the region, and after meeting with leadership from surrounding localities, the program executive committee made the decision to expand throughout the entire county, bringing together the emerging communities on a regional level. The Collin Regional Leadership Program (CRLP) offers the opportunity to address issues that all communities face – growth, education, transportation, sustainability – in a collaborative environment, building the necessary regional relationships to benefit the entire region. Beginning in October 2011 with an overnight retreat, program participants will take part in a challenging 9-month educational experience that is designed to: Develop an awareness of the region. Provide personal 21st century leadership training. Strengthen regional relationships for positive accomplishments throughout the region. Following the mandatory retreat, program scheduling includes a full-day county tour; a legislative day with the decision-makers of Austin; half-day monthly sessions on issues; and the possibility of a regional day to interact with other regional leadership program participants. The CRLP uniquely benefits from the talents of nationally recognized futurist Carolyn Corbin, President of the Center for the 21st Century (c21c.com), as the leadership skills facilitator. She will introduce the 21st century thinking and processes that are necessary for today’s leaders to maintain their communities’ competitiveness. “The Northern Collin County Leadership Program provided me a great opportunity to learn about the many businesses, services, and not-for-profit organizations located in Collin County. The variety of programs, combined with the insight of Carolyn Corbin, challenged me and all class members to be active participants in our communities to make a positive contribution. The program, in the end, demonstrated that we are all accountable for building strong, connected, serving communities, working together to improve each others’ quality of life.” Mike Land / Town Manager – Prosper Northern Collin County Leadership Class of 2007- 2008 Chair, NCCLP Executive Committee Applications for the Collin Regional Leadership Program will be available August 1 at mckinneychamber.com or by calling Deb Fitzgerald at 972.542.0163. Click here to view the program class schedule.