Nominate or Apply for the 2025 Delta Leadership Program (Deadline: Nov. 22)

    Nominations are open for the 2025 Delta Leadership Program, a joint effort of the Delta Protection Commission and the Delta Leadership Foundation.

    The program targets potential or emerging leaders in the Delta from all walks of life – agriculture, law enforcement, local government, non-profit organizations, local business, and the tourism and hospitality sectors, among others. It puts participants through an intensive curriculum to expand their knowledge of key issues and challenges in the Delta, teach them leadership skills and tools, build relationships and trust, and foster community.

    The ultimate goal of the program, which has been operating since 2016, is to build a cadre of dedicated leaders to protect and improve the Delta. Alumni can be seen in leadership positions throughout the Delta and often appear in the news.

    What’s Involved

    Interested participants can apply, or they can be nominated. (Application information is below.)

    Nominations and applications are accepted through Nov. 22, participants are announced the week of Dec. 9, and the curriculum – five day-long seminars – runs January through April. Nominees must commit to 100% attendance on these dates to be considered for participation in the program:

    • Seminar 1: Jan. 10 in Sacramento
    • Seminar 2: Feb. 7 in Stockton
    • Seminar 3: Feb. 28 in Rio Vista
    • Seminar 4: March 28 in Oakley
    • Seminar 5: April 25 in Clarksburg

    In addition to attending seminars, participants work on team projects designed to benefit the Delta, with some of the work occurring during seminars and some on their own time – about two hours per month. When feasible, participants take a tour of the Delta by boat in the late spring.

    The program concludes with a graduation at the Delta Protection Commission meeting tentatively scheduled for 5 p.m. May 15 at a location in the Delta. The exact date and location will be determined in November, when Commission sets its 2025 meeting schedule. (Information continues below photo.)

    Montage of photos of adults interacting

    Scenes from the 2024 Delta Leadership Program

    Nominating or applying

    The application form can be completed online. The deadline is midnight Friday, Nov. 22, 2024.

    The quality and content of the nomination is critical to the candidate’s success. Try to include specific examples and make sure you have included all of your nominee’s civic and leadership experience and service.

    If you are nominating someone, they will be notified of your nomination as soon as you submit it. Nominees accepted into the program will be notified by the week of December 9, 2024.

    Class size is limited, so not all nominees will be accepted – as a courtesy to all applicants, please refrain from announcing nomination submissions publicly.

    Submission Checklist

    1. REQUIRED: Complete the Delta Leadership Program 2025 application/nomination form online by Nov. 22.
    2. REQUIRED: Upload at least one and no more than three substantial letters of recommendation. You will upload these during the online application process.
    3. REQUIRED: Nominee/applicant must complete Letter of Commitment online, also by Nov. 22 (they will get a link when your nomination is submitted).
    4. OPTIONAL: Upload nominee’s resume, if available. You can upload this during the application process.

    QUESTIONS?

    If you have questions, please contact Program Coordinator Erik Vink at erik.vink@delta.ca.gov or (530) 650-6327.