North Dakotans still have about a month to apply to join the next Rural Leadership North Dakota class, which starts in mid-October.

RLND is a two-year North Dakota State University Extension Service program that prepares individuals to be effective, innovative leaders with the right skills to help make their community, region and state a better place to live and work.

The application deadline is July 1. RLND also is accepting nominations from people who know of someone who might benefit from the program. Application and nomination forms are available on RLND's Web site at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/rlnd/, by calling (701) 231-5803 or by e-mailing mailto:r-leader@ndsuext.nodak.edu.

""Successful organizations and communities have critical attributes in common; effective leadership is one of them,"" says RLND program director Marie Hvidsten. ""With effective leadership in place, communities and organizations are able to tackle challenges and build on their strengths, creating growth and prosperity. This is why organizations and communities across North Dakota need to have a participant in the RLND program."

Hvidsten anticipates the upcoming class will have 20 to 25 participants. The class of 2007-09 will be the third since the program began.

Participants will attend 10 workshops throughout the state and take a six-day study tour to Washington, D.C. The workshops usually run from Thursday afternoon to Saturday afternoon. Topics covered include communicating effectively, developing critical thinking skills, learning to work with others and use technology, shaping rural policy and finding innovative ways to fund local and regional development. Participants also will use the skills they learn by developing and implementing a project that enhances their organization, community or region.

Applicants must have been a state resident for at least a year and be able to attend all of the seminars and the study tour.

The cost to participants is tuition of $2,750, payable in two installments. The first is due by Oct. 31, 2007. The second is due by Oct. 31, 2008. Participants also must pay for travel to and from the in-state seminars and departure sites for the Washington, D.C., trip. Scholarships are available for part of the tuition.

Funding from other sources, such as the NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota businesses and organizations, foundations, granting agencies and individuals, covers the rest of the $11,000 cost per participant. Hvidsten says 175 businesses, organizations and individuals have sponsored portions of RLND programs.

For more information about RLND, contact Hvidsten at (701) 231-5640 or mailto:marie.hvidsten@ndsu.edu.

Agriculture Communication