Leadership Austin is proud to be an organization that not only builds leaders for the larger community but also inspires alumni to return to our ranks and donate their time and talent.
Our alumni return to engage across all aspects of the organization by helping with program curriculum, focus groups, representing Leadership Austin on community topics — always both on stage and behind the scenes. We also enlist volunteer faculty, who offer their expertise to teach classes and help shape the curricula of our signature programs.
With a staff of six full-time employees, who could not accomplish all we do without our volunteers. Between 2014-2015, 424 volunteers donated more than 1,170 hours to support our programs and events. These volunteers help us serve over 2,400 alumni that impact our region. Leadership Austin alumni can be found in 84% of the top 25 Austin Businesses, 96% of the top 25 Austin Non-Profits and 40% of the 70 elected officials in Travis County.
Volunteers with Leadership Austin tell us that every time they help with a project they gain even more than they give. They also say that engagement provides them new information that they carry out to their other community networks.
Some return year after year to help with favorite projects. Sam Planta is one such volunteer. A graduate of the Essential Class of 1991, Planta has served as a retreat facilitator for nearly 25 years. “I keep returning because every year I get to see an incredible network of people becoming more empowered and more aware of the city,” he said. “There are so many Ah-ha moments. It’s amazing to watch those happen–I never get tired of it.”
All Leadership Austin Alumni can volunteer for spring 2016. Fill out the form here by January 4.