The mission of the Institute for the Development of Emerging Area Leaders (IDEAL) is to strengthen local capacity for effective public policy decision-making impacting the economic, social and environmental future of California's Central Valley.

The IDEAL program's goals are to: Promote the importance of collaborative community leadership in fostering effective, creative, and quality decision-making in the public affairs of the Central Valley, and Provide access and information to emerging leaders-with a focus on outreach to under-represented communities-on issues relating to land use, economics, agriculture and conservation in the Central Valley.

The IDEAL Program is made possible through the generous support of Paramount Farming Companies.

Sessions include five monthly three-day seminars; participation in the Great Valley Center's annual regional conference; and a graduation celebration.

Program sessions will be held in a variety of Central Valley locations in order to increase participants' understanding of the region. Seminars will focus on issues specific to the Central Valley such as the economy, agriculture, environment and natural resources, land use, housing and transportation.

At each seminar, IDEAL Fellows will work with experts to explore the issues through presentations, field studies and group discussions. IDEAL Fellows are expected to spend 10-12 hours prior to each seminar doing preparatory work and/or reading in order to maximize outcomes of the group sessions

IDEAL Fellows are required to pay a $150 materials fee and provide their own transportation to sessions (car-pooling to sessions is strongly encouraged).

While the full cost for the program (including most food and lodging expenses during the sessions) is more than $6500, full scholarships or partial scholarships are available.

Selection will not depend on scholarship needs.

An IDEAL Fellow will be an active member of a community-based organization or will have demonstrated commitment to community affairs through leadership positions or volunteer activities. This program is targeted to reach local leaders from small rural communities and underrepresented groups and minorities.

The class of Fellows in the Institute for the Development of Emerging Area Leaders will be diverse. Fellows will be adults with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and education levels.

Participation in the program does not require a college degree. However, in every case, IDEAL Fellows will be working to make their community a better place.

IDEAL Fellows must be:

• Available to attend all scheduled meetings. (Schedule on application page)
  
  
• Interested in understanding and addressing Valley issues.
  
  
• Committed to completing the pre-assigned work and readings.
  
  
• Engaged in addressing and understanding Central Valley issues.

The selection process takes place each November.

Program sessions and training seminars for the Institute for the Development of Emerging Area Leaders will be conducted by a training team led by the Great Valley Center..



Please direct questions concerning the application process or regarding the Institute for the Development of Emerging Area Leaders (IDEAL) to Manuel Alvarado at the Great Valley Center at (209) 522-5103 .