WELA ACT Leadership Intensive

In partnership with Landcare ACT and the Conservation Council ACT.

This program is made possible with assistance from the ACT Government.

What – WELA ACT Leadership Intensive
When – 3 days, 3 nights from Tuesday 13 February – Friday 16 February, 2024
Where – Cuppacumbalong, ACT

Apply now

Are you ready to bring your unique leadership approach to the biggest environmental challenges we face?

Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA) Leadership Programs are transformational for women who want to accelerate positive change for our environment and climate. We empower people to identify their own approach to leadership, and to recognise and step into their power to influence.

Designed by and for women and gender-diverse people working for and committed to tackling climate change, the WELA ACT Leadership Intensive is an opportunity based on the successful WELA National Leadership Program and developed in partnership with Landcare ACT and Conservation Council ACT Region (CCACT).

The program will bring together 18 women and gender diverse people for a 3 day, 3 night leadership development program in the ACT.

Are you...

Working across the environmental and climate change movement in the ACT, in not for profit organisations, all levels of government and business to deliver long term system change for our environment and climate
Wanting to identify and grow your own style of leadership
Facing barriers you need support to overcome - these barriers are as diverse as the women who do our programs, including personal, organisational, family, cultural and systemic
Overwhelmed with the lack of positive change and sameness in the leadership styles and solutions to date
Curious about pathways to increase diversity among climate change leadership, including engagement and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women of colour, working class women
Looking for a leadership network and greater collaboration between women and gender-diverse people across the ACT

Then you're in the right place.

What's included

This program is designed to help you create the change the world needs. When you commit to this program, you will receive:

Transformational content

Transformational content modules that challenge and inspire them, creating clarity and direction to focus ideas into actions.

Tailored focus

To help mainstream and embed climate change work across sectors through increased women’s leadership and collective action

The program

Three days, three nights with accommodation and all food included, at Cuppacumbalong in the ACT.

Community support and connections

The WELA community will ensure participants are supported throughout and beyond the program. They will join and connect with an alumni community of diverse, incredible women who will continue to support their growth!

Industry experts

With guest presenters, facilitators, and WELA staff you will meet and learn from experts in the environment and climate sector, each with diverse experiences, skills and styles

Comprehensive resources and materials

Our program uses a diverse array of tools to support different learning styles – from leadership tools to recordings, books, movies and creative practices.

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This program will provide you with the key tools you need to really create and lead change. This transformational, relational methodology has proven to work time and time again for our alumni.

Our curriculum is centred on four key themes:

Personal development

Increasing personal wellbeing, resilience, self reflection, confidence and effectiveness

Evolving your leadership

Increasing leadership in the workplace, increasing the visibility and effectiveness of women and gender diverse people in their environmental and social change efforts

Approaches to impact

Community building and change making skills and tools for understanding and responding to the impact of gender bias, inequality and climate change in the workplace and how to lead action to maximise impact

Systemic change

Understanding the bigger picture of power structures within society and the climate change sectors, and how gender and leadership are constructed and influenced by these.

Your facilitators

They are supported by special guest speakers. Participants are also invited to present sessions during the program to showcase their experience and expertise in the group.

Louise Duxbury

Lead facilitator, WELA Program

Kate MacMaster

Leadership Facilitator

WELA Alumni Testimonials

“We can build strong relationships and work collaboratively across the sector to create the change that we want to see in the world.”

Bernadette Thomas
Former Manager Sustainable Environment, Hume City Council,, WELA Alum 2017
“WELA is an incredible group of leaders, supporters, educators and champions of women, whether that is in a traditional paid or volunteered workspace.

I have gained some incredible skills in management styles, leadership strategies an understandings of and how some of the work challenges we face today evolved and how to apply practical solutions to solve these challenges.

WELA is a life-changing opportunity, for you our environment and for future generations.”

Sherie Bruce
Arrernte woman, Protect Country Strategist, Queensland Conservation Council, WELA Alum 2020
“This is a decade where we need to upskill ourselves, be connected together and collaborate to achieve and address the key challenges of our time. The WELA program helps us by skilling us up, connecting us and really being alive to the contribution that we as women are uniquely placed to make for this particular decade and beyond.”

Monica Richter
Senior Manager Low Carbon Futures, WWF-Australia, Advisory board chair for the Urban Transformations Research Centre (UTRC), WELA Alum 2022
“My WELA sisters have been with me as I navigate life in parliament and post-politics. The facilitators and various cohorts have formed such a strong and supportive community. It is the kind of love and inspiration that keeps each of us paying it forward as activists.”

Huong Truong
Former Sustainability Coordinator, Brimbank City Council, WELA Alum 2017
“It is fantastic to stake stock, one year since my WELA fellowship. To recognise the Council policy and funding implementation wins we have had that WELA gave me the ambition and boldness to strive for. As well as the support systems and campaign collaborations that have been set up to further deep and long term life affirming change. I went from doubting myself and feeling paralysed by overwhelm and frayed by the diversity of issues, to focus my campaign strategy and actions. I’ve also been able to recognise my unique and genuine gifts as a leader.”

Cath Blakley
Councillor at Wollongong City Council, WELA Alum 2018
“The WELA program helped me understand how we are an ecosystem of passionate people, each with unique gifts and unique roles to play. We don’t need to do it alone – we are doing it together!

Since completing the program I have been recruited into a management position inside local government. The program gave me the confidence to understand how my skill set is useful to our sector, freed me from my limiting self talk and allowed me to take that next step in my career and for our environment.”

Amanda Dodd
Manager Sustainable Environment for Whittlesea Council, WELA Alum 2020

Are you ready?

Here are all the details you need...

Location

The program will be located at Cuppacumbalong, ACT. The space is gorgeous, with a strong connection to nature and generous hosts. Meals are provided for the full length of your stay, as is linen.

Cuppacumbalong is shared accommodation (you may be sharing a room) in glamping tents, you can see more on their website https://cuppacumbalong.com.au/en/

We will ensure COVID-safe precautions and measures are taken throughout.

Please make sure to organise transport in advance. Travel is NOT included in the program fees (see below). Please factor in travel time when assessing your availability.

Program fee

The program fee is subsidised by an ACT Government grant, and is $1650 incl GST.

We prefer payment by February 1st 2024. We can work with you to arrange payment.

A limited number of scholarship positions are available to those in grassroots community roles, First Nations people and marginalised voices.

Registration fees cover program delivery of the WELA ACT Leadership Intensive, accommodation and meals. Fees are heavily subsidised by an ACT Government grant.

All fees paid by participants for the WELA ACT Leadership Intensive program are non-refundable. If someone cannot attend after confirming their participation, they may propose a suitable replacement, subject to approval by WELA, National Landcare ACT, and CCACT.

Dates

The WELA ACT Intensive will take place from Tuesday 13th February 4pm to Friday 16th February 3pm AEDT – 3 days 3 nights.

This program is designed to encourage everyone’s full attention and active participation. There will be free time each day for participants to enjoy the environment or to exercise. Time for work is limited and it’s recommended that people take the time off completely. If essential there is up to half an hour per day for work.

How to apply

Complete the WELA ACT Intensive Application Form.

Applications close Sunday 26th November 2023 at midnight

In your application, please share:

Why you would like to participate
Your experience and what you’re looking for from the program
A current CV

If you struggle with working online, or are unable to upload a CV, don’t let that be a barrier to applying! Word document or hard copy application forms can be provided if required. We can also phone you to gather information.

We actively encourage a wide diversity of participants.

Submit your application by Sunday 26th November 2023 at midnight. Applicants will be advised whether they are successful and will be expected to confirm acceptance of the program before Christmas 2023.

Selection criteria

WELA is committed to creating a diverse and thriving community of women working for our environment and climate action. Women and gender diverse people from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities, communities of colour, or culturally and linguistically diverse communities are encouraged to apply.

We encourage multiple applications per organisation. However, to ensure learning and collaboration across the sector, we will select one participant from each organisation.

If you identify as a woman working in the cliamte and environment sector in the ACT with a demonstrated passion for our environment, climate, sustainability or feminist issues, and are committed to step up your leadership for greater impact on climate change, then this program is for you!

Applications close Sunday, 26 November 2023 at midnight.

Apply now

ATTEND OUR INFORMATION SESSION

More information

WELA is empowering and supporting women’s leadership for our environment, and transforming Australia’s response to the climate and environment crises.

In partnership with Landcare ACT and Conservation Council ACT Region and supported by the ACT Government, this program is designed to develop your skills, self-reflection, support and networks to take the next steps in your leadership for a better future.

The WELA ACT Leadership Intensive will take place from Tuesday, 13 February 2024 at 4pm to Friday, 16 February 2024 at 3pm AEDT.

Did you know – the WELA National Leadership Program 2024 is also currently open for applications – you are welcome to apply for both.

Find out more

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