Application

Acceptance into the Leadership Rockland program is through a competetive application and interview. This page will provide answers to many questions you may have about the program and the admission process.

Do I need someone to nominate me for the program?

You do not need smeone to nominate you for the program. If you want to be part of the next class, just submit the application! You will need some reference letters as described below, but no one has to "submit" your name in order for you to apply.

When is the deadline for submitting an application?
While the specific date may vary each year, the application deadline is generally the end of April for the following September's class. The deadline for the upcoming 2013-14 class has been extended to April 30, 2013.

How can I get an application?
The application must be completed online. Click the application link on the left side of this page to begin the process. The application must be completed all at once. To enable you to have all the information on hand to complete the application, we have included screenshots of each application page. You can complete many of the questions off-line and copy and paste the answer into the application when you are ready to proceed.

Once you have submitted the application, you will receive a confirmation notice, which will remind you that other material needs to be forwarded to us before your application will be deemed complete.

What other items need to be submitted?
In addition to the online application, you will need to mail to us at the address below the following items:

• $50 refundable deposit - mailed to the address below.
• A current resume - emailed to the address below.
• Application signature page - emailed to the address below.
• 3 letters of reference - emailed to the address below.

Email materials to admin@leadershiprockland.org

You may mail materials to us, but email is the preferred means of sending us the documents.

Leadership Rockland
P.O. Box 459
New City, NY 10956

Are there any special requirements I should be aware of?
There is one area that requires special attention in the application process:

• References: It is your responsibility to make sure the persons submitting a reference letter on your behalf do so in time for them to arrive by the application deadline. The best way to ensure this happens is for you to get the letters and submit them along with your application. Make sure to plan ahead so that you are not trying to get this done at the last minute. Pay particular attention to the requirement that the letters must come from different sources and organizations.

What happens after I submit my application?
Applications are forwarded to the selection committee. Each member of the selection committee will review each application. In addition, each applicant will be interviewed by 2-3 members of the selection committee. You will be contacted by your interviewer to schedule the date, time and location of the interview.

When will I be notified as to whether or not I was accepted into the program?
After the interviews are completed, the selection committee convenes to discuss the applicants, and make a recommendation to the board of directors for the next year's class. This entire process usually lasts until the middle of June. After the board approves the class, the administrator will make contact with each applicant to inform them of their status.

If I am not accepted into the program, can I reapply?
We strongly encourage applicants who don't get into the program on their first try to reapply. One of the criteria that the board and the selection committee look for is a diverse class that represents the entire county. A candidate may be a very qualified individual, but there may be others in the class with similar characteristics that would create an imbalance for that particular class year. Many a successful graduate had to reapply to gain admission into the program.

Is attendance and class participation important?
These items are so important to the overall value of the program that the Board of Directors has spent significant time formulating attendance and conduct policies for the class. We realize each person in our program is an adult, most with very busy lifestyles, and that you are giving up your valuable time to attend this program. We respect that commitment, and in return we provide what we believe is a learning opportunity unlike any other you will have the good fortune to attend. We also value the time and effort our coordinators put in, all on a volunteer basis.

Thus, we have some simple rules:

• Attendance is mandatory. You must attend each session, and must be present for the entire session to its conclusion. These are long days, and most sessions run right up to the last minute, because there is such depth of material to cover. Participation by the class members is a critical component of each and every class. Each prospective candidate is provided a list with the class schedule prior to being offered acceptance into the program, so you can assess ahead of time if you anticipate problems with attendance.
• Class time is Leadership Rockland time. Please limit your cell phone usage to authorized breaks. Turn cell phones off or silence them during class periods.
• Arrange your business or personal life around your class schedule. Do not plan on running errands or catching up on business while you are in class. You can not skip out for an hour or two. This would be an unexcused absence and could result in termination from the program.
• Of course, issues do arise on any given day. Direct all inquiries to the program administrator as soon as you become aware of the problem. Accommodations, where necessary and possible, will likely be made.