About Berkshire Leadership Program
Berkshire Leadership Program (BLP) seeks, prepares, involves, and sustains individuals from diverse backgrounds who are committed and competent to address community challenges and improve the quality of life in the Berkshires. More than 600 community-minded individuals have graduated from the program since its inception in 1997. Each year, up to 30 candidates are selected to participate in the program. The cost of tuition is $700.
In-person weekly sessions are held at various locations throughout Berkshire County from 5:00-9:00pm on Thursday evenings. You are expected to attend all of the weekly sessions. Missing more than 15 minutes of a session is considered a ½ absence. Participants who have more than two absences will be withdrawn from the program and will forfeit their tuition.
Deadline for applications is Friday, January 27 at noon.
BLP Newsletters
Want to catch up with all things BLP? Check out the latest edition of our Newsletter.
BLP Scholarship Fund
Give to our Berkshire Leadership Fundraiser by donating to our scholarship fund.
BLP Steering Committee Vacancies
BLP Steering Committee has some vacancies to fill! Put your leadership skills to work to help build class opportunities, recruit and support participants and promote this long-standing program of the Berkshires. You’ll work with a team and build personal and professional connections while experiencing first hand conversations about how the Berkshire economy is developing and changing. Please join us and share this opportunity with other great candidates to help us grow and train local leaders.
Past Special Projects
2019
The 2019 BLP Class facilitated a charitable drive to support organizations throughout Berkshire County with the implementation of Berkshire Gives: One Day, One County. The Giving Drive was held on Saturday, May 18, 8 am – 12 pm with 8 drop off locations spread out in Adams, Cheshire, Great Barrington, Lanesboro, North Adams, Pittsfield, and Sheffield. Items collected were food, clothing, school supplies, toiletries, and other items that would help the diverse needs and populations in the Berkshires served by the following six charitable organizations: Community Health Programs (CHP), The Christian Center, Solider On, Elizabeth Freeman Center, Louison House, and Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) Berkshires. In total, the class raised $11,000 worth of supplies for organizations in Berkshire County.
2018
The 2018 BLP class based their project on “Twenty Years of BLP” in honor of the Berkshire Leadership Program’s 20th anniversary.
The project had three components:
The Roots: Discovering the stories of past program graduates to reveal the positive impact the Berkshire Leadership program has had on its participants and the community at large since the program began in 1997
The Plant: Honoring past BLP classes in a permanent and visible way by planting attractive trees throughout our community in which the class successfully planted 20 tress across Berkshire County
The Seed: Raising $20,000 to grow Alchemy Initiative’s Roots Rising program, which provides meaningful work to area teens at local farms, food pantries, and community gardens. The Roots Rising program was able to purchase a 15 passenger van with the funds raised by the BLP class of 2018.
2017
The 2017 BLP class based their group project on a demonstrated need to communicate with young professionals and potential relocators the wealth of social and recreational opportunities available in the Berkshires. Together they compiled footage of examples as well as on-screen interviews to create a video sharing that positive narrative about the region. Watch the video to hear directly from class members about their experiences and enthusiasm.
2016
The 2016 BLP class worked with the Elizabeth Freeman Center (EFC) for their group project. Together they raised over $5,500 some of which went to putting up three billboards along the county. The class also designed new promotional materials, increased security features on the EFC website, and significantly improved EFC’s social media presence. Watch the video to hear directly from class members and EFC staff about the experience. You can also read about the impact this BLP class had on the EFC.
Questions
Email the Berkshire Leadership Program or call (413) 499-1600.
