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Leadership

The Essential Leadership Cadre Program is an ideal opportunity available to members who are interested in developing leadership skills.  It is especially designed for women and minority members who are within their first five years into their careers; however, it is also open to any member with a desire to learn how to become an effective leader.   NEA-NM benefits from this program as it fills the need for a new young and vibrant pool of Association leaders, to fill leadership positions being vacated by veteran leaders who are retiring.

How did the ELC Program come into being?

The Essential Leadership Cadre evolved out of two programs that existed in NEA-NM, the Emerging Leaders and Essential Resources.  In November of  2000, the first training of the newly created Essential Leadership Cadre took place.  Jenny Phelps from NEA Human and Civil Rights Division and two other national trainers conducted the training.

NEA-NM’s Essential Leadership Cadre program received the NEA’s Human and Civil and Rights Rosena J. Willis Memorial Award, at the Annual HCR 2001 Awards Banquet.

What is the process for getting into the program?

Recruitment into the program is based on statewide nominations.  Local presidents, members of the NEA-NM Board of Directors, ESP Caucus, Minority Caucus, Minority Affairs Committee, State leadership and UniServ Staff, may nominate you.  Another goal of the program is to have ELCs represented from all the governance regions. 
Download Essential Leadership Cadre Nominating Form (Word document)

How many ELCs are there, and how long is the commitment?

There are at least 20 to 30 ELCs in a class, committed to a two-year program.  There are at least two to three training opportunities exclusively for ELCs in each year of the two-year program, with national NEA trainers.   In addition to those exclusive trainings, there may be requirements to attend other NEA-NM trainings and workshops.  Rooms at double occupancy, mileage and meals will be paid for by NEA-NM for required trainings.  ELCs in turn commit to attend the required trainings. 

Upon completion of the two-year training period, ELCs graduate and are honored at the Spring Council.  ELCs who have graduated agree to mentor incoming ELCs, and if they are not already in a leadership position, they also commit to at least running for local, state, or national office. 

Here are some comments from Essential Leaders who have gone through the Program or are currently enrolled:

“The Essential Leadership Cadre has fundamentally changed how I view my role as an educational leader in the community.  My confidence and skills as a leader have dramatically changed since I’ve entered the program.”
Lisa Sloan, NEA-Belen

“Essential Leaders Cadre has been one of the most progressive programs I have ever had the opportunity to participate in.  It provided me with intensive training in leadership skills that not only benefited our local and state organization. But also benefited me on a personal and professional basis.”
Sabina Aguilar, Lovington Education Association

• Eduardo Holguin, NEA-NM president
• Sharon Morgan, NEA-NM vice president
• ELC Mentors, graduates from the ELC program
• Charles Bowyer , NEA-NM executive director
• Genny Phelps, NEA-HCR staff