West Central Initiative is accepting nominations and applications for the 2024 cohort of its Rural Advocacy and Public Leadership Program, a free six-month leadership and advocacy program designed for people interested in strengthening our democracy and supporting the development of good governance in their local rural community. 

“Rural Advocacy and Public Leadership is a free program that draws on and will connect with the Master of Advocacy and Political Leadership at Metro State University,” said West Central Initiative President Anna Wasescha. “Metro State is a Minnesota State System Institution and will offer each participant four credits towards a Bachelor of Arts or a Master of Arts degree.” 

The six-month course is designed for people from the public and nonprofit sectors, including those already serving in leadership positions and those seeking leadership roles in elected office, the public sector, or the region’s civic organizations. 

Course topics include: 

• Connecting and collaborating toward common goals across a diversity of interests, experiences, and backgrounds.  

• Developing organizing and advocacy skills for and in rural communities.   

• Mapping your rural community to better understand the breadth of its resources, experiences, and interests.

• Learning about making policy and community change at the local level. 

• Developing creativity and building resources to do this work over the long haul. 

Participants will meet for four hours one Saturday a month from January 27 to June 1. Classes include both online and in-person gatherings in the region. 

Learn more and nominate/apply at www.wcif.org/rural-democracy. Nominations and applications received by December 10 will be given priority. Those submitted after December 10 will be considered if spaces are still available.