Level Up: Leadership Development, Service Opportunities & Networking Groups in RVA
Looking for ways to give back to the Richmond community? Interested in growing your skills and building your social capital? Just want to meet and learn from some cool new people? If you said “yes” to any of these questions, then this guide is for you!
These local leadership development programs, volunteer and service opportunities, and young professional networking groups can help you level up, regardless of what industry you’re in.
Contributed by Rachel Rodney, ChamberRVA
Leadership Development Programs
Mentor Richmond
Mentor Richmond is a leadership development program designed for emerging leaders to learn from some of our region’s most dynamic leaders – while fostering connections with other professionals and identifying and applying their own unique strengths to their leadership journeys. During their time in Mentor Richmond, participants work together to prepare for their conversation with each of the five Mentors- designing an agenda that lets the participants get to know the Mentors as “real” people, while thoughtfully discussing more sensitive questions and topics that all leaders are facing.
Through this preparation, small group discussions, and partnered work, Mentor Richmond participants form a bond while they learn from the diverse perspectives of the other mentors in the program- their peers. Reflection is a key component of the program, allowing participants to see commonalities and differences in leaders. Participants bring their experience full circle while utilizing the CliftonStrengths assessment woven throughout the program – identifying, appreciating and applying their own unique talents to their leadership development journey.
P.S. Applications for the fall session are open until August 5!
Leadership Lab
Leadership Lab is designed to create individual development and relationship building for emerging leaders who are interested in increasing their capacity to influence and lead within their organizations.
This is a three-month program that features half-day workshops and coaching sessions. The first three workshops will focus on self-awareness, social awareness, and influence. Before the program and between each workshop, class participants will be split into small groups and will meet with professional coaches to discuss their leadership style and craft a personal vision. During the final workshop, participants will apply the skills learned during the program.
And once again, applications for the fall session are open until August 5!
Leadership Metro Richmond
Leadership Metro Richmond began in 1980 to improve racial, gender, and socio-economic divides in our area's community leadership. Today, more than 2,000 diverse leaders have participated in LMR’s 10-month leadership development program, Leadership Quest. Graduates from this program include both individuals who have been publicly recognized as key leaders in our area and leaders who quietly make significant impact in their communities.
The goal of LMR is to connect diverse leaders with one another and partner with organizations to create opportunities for community engagement. This organization provides leaders with an environment for high-performing conversations, broadens their knowledge and perspectives about our region, and inspires them to serve unselfishly.
Emerging Nonprofit Leaders Program
The Emerging Nonprofit Leaders Program is a dynamic nine-month experience for the next generation of nonprofit leaders in the Greater Richmond region. In this engaging program, participants will have the opportunity to foster a deeper understanding of their leadership capacity, advance their understanding and practice of leading in the nonprofit sector, and strengthen their network of nonprofit colleagues. The program has demonstrated measurable results, building a cadre of over 200 talented leaders for the future of our local community for the past 15 years.
After a one-year COVID-induced hiatus, Community Foundation is pleased to announce ENLP’s return for the 2021-2022 learning year. Infused with lessons from the pandemic, Cohort 14 will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of innovation, change management, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion alongside the program’s tried-and-true leadership development curriculum.
Apply for ENLP here by August 15 at 5 pm!
Volunteer & Service Opportunities
The Community Foundation of Greater Richmond
The Community Foundation of Richmond is dedicated to the big picture of philanthropy and service in RVA. They have tons of resources for helping individuals find their place in giving back — for example, using their service, Hands On RVA, folks can browse volunteer opportunities, specific organizations, and even match their skills to needs in our area using the Skills Connect option.
Junior League of Richmond
Founded as a nonprofit group in 1926 by 59 young women, the Junior League of Richmond was affiliated in 1927 with the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI), which currently serves in a resource and advisory capacity.
The Junior League of Richmond is an organization of women committed to the mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.
Young Professional/Networking Groups
HYPE (Helping Young Professionals Engage)
If you are looking for a place to meet and build relationships with other young professionals, access a variety of professional development opportunities and plug into ways to make an impact on the Richmond community, HYPE is the organization for you.
Coming up, HYPE will be hosting the first HYPE Happy Hour of 2021 at The Lilly Pad on August 18. Check the calendar and register for their other future events here.
Urban League Greater Richmond Young Professionals
Urban League Greater Richmond Young Professionals — also referred to as “Richmond YP” — is a volunteer auxiliary that welcomes young professionals between the ages 21-45, with the goal of empowering communities and changing lives. The Richmond YP mission is to support the Urban League Movement through volunteerism, philanthropy, and membership development that is focused around education, health, housing, jobs and justice.
Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Richmond
YNPN RVA is the local chapter of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network. This organization cultivates a community of future nonprofit leaders through networking and professional development opportunities that build on individual strengths and talents. They envision a rising generation of diverse, empowered, and highly engaged nonprofit leaders that will work collaboratively to strengthen our sector, and in turn, the Richmond region.
Membership through YNPN RVA connects young and early career nonprofit professionals to a community of like-minded, socially-conscious members who interact through social and professional development. YNPN RVA provides opportunities to gain knowledge and experiences to help you develop as a person and a professional while building a network of peers and mentors to support your growth in the nonprofit sector. YNPN RVA will also give you the opportunity to learn about and share things happening in the Richmond nonprofit community!
Keep climbing that career ladder!
Thank you to Chamber RVA for contributing this City Guide!