MIDCOAST — Midcoast Leadership Academy (MLA) has extended its deadline for application to the upcoming program year. Applications are now due by August 31, and the program begins on September 19.

“We have been receiving applications for our milestone 10th program year,” said program facilitator Robin McIntosh, in a news release, “but we know this is a busy time of year for everyone in the Midcoast, and we want to make sure that everyone who wants to join the class has ample opportunity to apply.”

Based on a national model for community leadership programs, MLA is a 9-month, adult, experiential program designed to build a network of informed, committed, and engaged community leaders throughout Knox and Waldo Counties.  Participants are challenged to expand their knowledge of issues affecting the Midcoast, their depth of understanding about the community in which they live and work, and their network of fellow community builders.

A recent graduate wrote, “Not only did I expand my leadership skills, I was also amazed that even though I have lived here for over 30 years and consider myself an active community member, I still learned so much about Waldo and Knox County. “

McIntosh added that there is a great base of people already applying for the next class, but there is still room for more.

“Each year we strive for as much diversity as we can achieve, looking at where people work, where they live, and what their interests and experiences are,” she said. “Ideally, we have a good mix of gender and age as well as people who were born and brought up here and people from away, both experienced and aspiring community leaders, and varying perspectives in what makes a community tick.”

Classes move throughout the region during the course of the year, and participants immerse themselves in topics such as healthcare, the creative economy, heritage industries, state and local government, the environment, education, and the justice system.  More than 150 people have graduated from the program to date.

More information, a program application, dates, and a list of alumni can be found at www.midcoastleadershipacademy.com.