The GNL Masters Class application process is closed
GNL Masters Class XXVII
Greater Naples Leadership provides exceptional opportunities for its members to continually enrich their lives and improve their community through:
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- Unique firsthand learning experiences
- Rewarding relationships with accomplished, like-minded individuals
- Unparalleled access to meaningful board and volunteer roles
About the Program
The GNL Masters Program educates highly accomplished men and women regarding issues in Collier County through a series of nine in-depth sessions (plus administrative sessions) covering all major aspects of community life. Each year, GNL accepts a class of 40 to 50 individuals and exposes them to sessions focusing on history, culture, healthcare, education, the environment, growth and economic development, human services, government, Immokalee and more. Sessions include presentations, panel discussions, on-site visits and field trips, all planned by members of the previous year’s Masters Class. The objective is to prepare participants for volunteer positions as well as civic and nonprofit Committee and Board positions. Participation in GNL is a multi year commitment. In the Masters Program the first year is educational, and in the second year, small teams of class members, under the guidance of a class leadership team, prepare one of the nine educational sessions for the following years class. Thereafter, beginning in the third year after graduation from the Masters Class Program participants are expected to volunteer at a civic or nonprofit organization of their choice that can also include roles within GNL that may become available. Program graduates have the privilege of becoming members of a large, well-connected and vibrant alumni organization.
In addition to class sessions, the Alumni/Continuing Education Committee (ACE) creates a dynamic, engaging series of programs focused on newsworthy topics, balanced political views and local issues designed to educate our members on current matters of concern to our community. These programs encourage broader and deeper involvement in community service, thereby strengthening alumni’s support for GNL’s mission.
Also, the Alumni Networking Committee sponsors social events that encourage members to maintain contact with one another and meet the newest class. Each graduating class has a volunteer Class Rep who functions as a coordinator to organize and plan class functions and service projects that foster continued closeness within the class.
GNL Class XXVII
Session Schedule
March 16, 2023
Orientation Lunch
October 18, 2023
Opening Retreat
October 25, 2023
Naples Past Present & Future
November 1, 2023
Growth & Economic Development
November 8, 2023
Cultural Arts
November 15, 2023
Healthcare
January 10, 2024
Human Services
January 17, 2024
Environment
January 24, 2024
Education
February 9, 2024
Government
February 14, 2024
Immokalee
February 21, 2024
Eval & Planning Day #1
March 6, 2024
Session Planning Day #2
March 19 & 20, 2024
CLT/Session Day Team Meetings
March 21, 2024
Celebration
February 27, 2025
Graduation
ELIGIBILITY FOR THE PROGRAM
Record of Accomplishment: The ideal Masters Program candidate should be a proven leader in his or her field of endeavor and/or within his or her community.
Commitment to the Greater Naples community: Candidates should be willing to seek community and/or civic volunteer opportunities to apply their skills and interests.
Career and life status: Candidates must have the time, interest and capability to participate fully in day-long classes and in the preparation of session days for the following year’s class. Please keep in mind that many session days require considerable walking. Candidates must be proficient in the use of email and the internet.
Residency: Candidates should reside in the community from October through mid April in order to contribute fully to the program and the community.
SELECTION GUIDELINES
Spouse/partner/family members’ applications: Spouses/partners/family members of GNL alumni may participate in the program provided that they independently meet the selection criteria. Only one spouse/partner/family member may participate in a given year, and each must be sponsored by an unrelated alumnus or alumna. At least one year must elapse between the class year of related participants.
Paid employees in the same organization: Only one paid employee of a given company or organization may be accepted in a single year.
Gender balance: GNL’s goal is to achieve gender balance in each class.
Diversity: GNL is racially and ethnically inclusive.
Political affiliation: GNL is a non-partisan organization.
REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE
Class attendance: Masters Class members are expected to attend all classes. Masters Class members can miss no more than two session days, which must be made up within the next two Masters Programs. Attendance is mandatory for both Retreat Day and Evaluation Day.
Liability Release: Upon acceptance, Masters Class members are required to sign and submit a Liability Release.
Post-graduation commitment: Each class member, as part of a team, is required to help design and run a session day for the following year’s class. This second-year effort is an integral part of the Masters Class program. Graduates are expected to carry out GNL’s Mission Statement, which encourages the use of their skills in bettering the community.
Application Process: Usually a member of GNL sponsors an individual for admission to the program. However, it is not necessary to have a sponsor, and in the past several successful applicants have been unsponsored. Tuition is $2,400. Applications are available on the GNL website between November 1 and early January. Interviews will be held prior to acceptance. Class selection for each year is announced in February.
Payment & Refund Policy
Greater Naples Leadership is a nonprofit membership organization that charges tuition for the Masters Program, annual dues for alumni membership, and fees for educational programs and social events. All charges are paid in U.S. currency and are not tax-deductible. If a person pays tuition to the Masters Program and subsequently needs to withdraw from the program, our reimbursement policy is to return half of the tuition if we receive notice on or before July 1 of the Masters Program year. Cancellation after that date will result in the forfeiture of tuition. Annual dues are not refundable. Fees for educational programs and social events are refundable if cancellations are made prior to the stated deadline. Greater Naples Leadership ensures Payment Card Industry compliance and secure communications by using Stripe integrated payment system to collect online payment information, which is transmitted directly to Stripe via Transport Layer Security (TLS) and HTTPS.