- April 24, 2024
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A strong community depends on active, engaged, honest, skilled, intelligent elected officials. There are a lot of you out there, and it's time to start thinking about whether you or someone you know have a desire to serve your community by running for office.
If it sounds intimidating, maybe this can help. Check out this information below, adapted from a recent press release:
The Flagler County Chamber of Commerce is seeking applicants for a new, free candidate-training program that will start the process of building a bench of serious and committed aspiring leaders for Flagler County.
The Flagler Public Leadership Institute (FPLI) is a nonpartisan introduction to the world of politics and how to run for public office. The program is designed to help civic-minded individuals seriously consider running for public office and to encourage them to use their skills, talent and expertise to serve constituents in ethical, effective and inclusive ways.
The two-day session will be held 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 17 and 18, at the Flagler Chamber, with a kick-off reception the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 16. The curriculum will concentrate on the “nuts and bolts” of running for public office, including filing, choosing a campaign team, conducting “pre-campaign” assessments, developing a campaign plan, communicating ideas and fundraising. Drawing on the expertise of area elected officials, community leaders and industry experts, FPLI will help prospective candidates navigate the challenging road to public service with greater confidence.
“Flagler County has made great progress over the past several years creating a healthier business climate and supporting economic development and we are fortunate to have elected officials who understand what it takes to keep moving in the right direction,” said Chamber President Rebecca DeLorenzo. “However, to ensure a bright future for our residents and businesses, it’s important to start identifying, cultivating and encouraging the next generation of public leaders. FPLI will start the process of ‘building a bench’ of people who are willing and qualified to serve in these future leadership roles.”
The Flagler County Chamber of Commerce is a nonpartisan organization that does not endorse or support candidates for office. The chamber, its community partners and program sponsors plan to host the Flagler Public Leadership Institute once every other year during non-election years.
Any registered voter, except for incumbents and candidates that have already declared or filed, may apply before the Aug. 7 deadline. An application can be found online here. A selection committee will review all applications and choose a limited number of participants for in-person interviews. Each accepted FPLI candidate will participate in the program at no cost, thanks to support from generous community and business sponsors.
The FPLI program was created in cooperation with http://www.reclaimpublicleadership.org, a national organization whose public leadership development template has helped more than 30 program graduates enter public office.
For more information, call the Chamber at 386-437-0106 or visit www.flaglerchamber.org.
