Engage Richland

Engage Richland empowers early career individuals to grow as leaders, engage in their community, and receive mentoring. The program gives young professionals in any industry an opportunity to meet with leaders and decision-makers through business tours and discussions. Opportunities for civic engagement will be discovered.

The program is facilitated in collaboration with Richland Young Professionals and incorporates the RYP mentorship program.

Program days consist of leadership development sessions, business tours to address issues and opportunities in Richland County, and mentor meetings.

Young professionals will take a leadership assessment and be empowered to develop as leaders through The Leadership Challenge materials by Kouzes and Posner. Each participant will be paired with a mentor based on career goals and interests.

A capstone project will empower participants to advise a nonprofit.

Participants will grow their network, gain leadership skills, and understand how to engage civically.

Program Outcomes

The Engage Richland Program will empower participants to:

learn and apply the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, and Enable Others to Act
explore a wide variety of community topics.
broaden understanding of issues and opportunities in Richland County while learning how they can be involved.
experience their community through interactive sessions at various locations throughout Richland County.
establish a network among a diverse group of young professionals throughout Richland County.
develop a personal commitment to become involved with projects and organizations in their community.

Program Days

A Engage Richland program day is designed to incorporate many different adult learning styles with discussions, experiential activities, panels, company tours, and service projects. Here is an agenda for a typical day:

October 17, 2024
Orientation Day. Team building exercises, setting expectations, introducing the business tours, capstone project overview, understanding the mentoring model, and participating in The Leadership Challenge Self-Empowered Workshop.
November 21, 2024
– Community Focus: What leisure experiences exist for young professionals in Richland County? How does tourism impact our county?
– Potential visits: Ohio State Reformatory, The Mansfield Playhouse, The Renaissance Theatre, Ohio Bird Sanctuary, Mansfield Art Center, Buckeye Imagination Museum
– Mentor and mentee introductions
– Capstone project discussions
December 19, 2024
– Community Focus: What decisions are being made by local elected officials and how do they impact young professionals? How can I run for office?
– Potential visits: Board of Elections, Richland County building, Mansfield City Building
– Capstone project discussions
– Mentor and mentee visits
– Capstone project discussions
January 16, 2025
– Community Focus: What health and wellness options exist for young professionals?
– Potential visits: Catalyst Life Services, counseling center, fitness center, Richland Public Health, OhioHealth, Avita, Third Street Family Health
– Capstone project discussions
– Mentor and mentee visits
February 20, 2025
– Community Focus: What is the latest workforce data? What are the projections for in-demand careers
– Potential speakers: Workforce panel, large manufacturer, small business
– Capstone project discussions
– Mentor and mentee visits
March 27, 2025
– Community Focus: What are the latest economic developments in Richland County and how do they impact my quality of life? How can I get involved?
– Mentor and mentee visit
– Present capstone project to nonprofit director and board
– Graduation reception

Capstone Project
The Engage Richland cohort will complete a capstone project as a group. The goal is to advise a nonprofit on a strategic problem they are facing and present a solution. Nonprofits will respond to a request for proposal to participants. The cohort will select one nonprofit project out of all that apply.

Commitment: 8-10 hours outside of program days. There will be some time on program days to work on the project, and participants will need to dedicate time outside of class days.

Timeline

Month 1 – Learn about the nonprofit’s situation and goals.
Month 2 – First meeting with the organization contact to understand the problem.
Month 3 – Research to learn more about the organization and its potential.
Month 4 – Summarize Research Findings
Month 5 – Draft a plan and slide presentation.
Month 6 – Presentation to organization leader and board members.

Program Impact

The goal is for young professionals to grow in leadership development, community familiarization, and professional network growth as a result of the program. It is realistic that participants will:

Develop leadership skills and put them to use.
Find a board role.
Find a volunteer position.
Become informed about community issues and potential solutions.
Envision their future in Richland County.

Organizations will benefit by sending their young professionals through the program as they will:

Gain the skills and confidence to lead more effectively in their current position and advance within the company.
Become equipped to share crucial information about community developments and potential collaborations for the company.
Become more rooted in Richland County.

Class of 2025 Application Information

Participants

A maximum of 40 participants will be selected annually.

Selection

Candidates selected for the Engage Richland program will possess a sincere commitment, motivation, and interest to serve the Richland County community.
A selection committee will review all completed applications and select those applicants who have demonstrated commitment, leadership ability, and a desire to serve their community.

Tuition

Tuition for the program is $500 and includes The Leadership Challenge Self-Empowered Assessment, The Leadership Challenge book. Tuition should be met by the participant and his or her sponsoring organization or employer. Payment plans may be arranged.

Commitment

Engage Richland requires that a participant have the full support of the organization he or she re presents. To graduate from the program, a participant must attend all but one program day.