Leadership Saratoga’s unique format makes Saratoga County the classroom.  Sessions move to various locations and class members meet the decision makers and community leaders who address not only facts, but perspectives, problems, and potential opportunities, in interactive sessions and through case studies.

2025-2026 PROGRAM SESSIONS

Sunday, September 21, 2025, 8:00 am - Monday, September 22, 2025, 5:00 pm - Class retreat

Prepare yourself for a fun indoor and outdoor (weather permitting) adventure in recognizing leadership styles and building a team.  This is an overnight retreat at a local lodging property. This immersive two-day program forges important bonds for the class and provides important skill-building used throughout the program year.

Leadership Development Sessions typically run 9:00 am - 12:00 pm with some exceptions noted in the calendar provided to the class. 

Through the course of the program, topics that will be addressed include:

Issues Facing Human Services Organizations: 

Gain insight into Saratoga County’s diverse population, as well as its human services needs.  Experience real life problems that under resourced people are facing and find out more about the various organizations that exist in the county to assist people in our community.

Keys to Effective Board Governance: 

Understand the elements of effective board governance, board dynamics, and what it takes to develop a strong board of directors. Learn what questions you should ask before agreeing to serve on a board and the skills necessary to lead once you have accepted the position.

Empowered Leadership: 

There are many different styles of leadership. Different situations may dictate different leadership challenges. The dynamics of leadership can be challenging. It is crucial that we remain mindful in our leadership for ourselves,  and allowing and encourage this from others.

Dealing with Ethical Dilemmas: 

Develop critical thinking about ethical dilemmas that face nonprofit and public sector boards. Using case studies from real life examples, learn how to deal with these dilemmas and create solutions to handle the issues.

Educational Leadership: 

School boards face many issues ranging from setting educational policy to finances. Hear about these issues from a panel of county School Board members and area superintendents. Case studies will be presented for further investigation, discussion and understanding. Time will also be spent exploring the advances of technology in the educational experience.

Fundraising and Philanthropy: 

All leaders of nonprofits must raise money. This session offers a better understanding of the various methods of raising money and reviews the pros and cons of each. A panel comprised of donors and those in the development field share examples of successful and not successful asks they have received and made. Learn what works and what does not work when you are fundraising for worthy causes and gain a greater comfort level in soliciting donations. An interactive component will help you prepare for the ask.

Economic Development and Quality of Life: 

Saratoga County is fortunate that there are a variety of environments in which people can live, work and play. The reality is that people in the community think and work hard to make it this way. This session brings together some of these people; developers, attorneys, land planners, and land preservers and showcases how all of them must work together to maintain this quality of life.

Financial Oversight and Overhead: 

Nonprofit or impact sector organizations are businesses whose product or service is intended to better the lives of others. To do this, board members need to understand basic fiscal management and how overhead, and its perception related to charitable organizations, plays a role in accomplishing mission. 

Government by the People: 

In this session, participants will gain a better understanding of the differences in operations and issues that face villages, towns and cities, all of which exist in Saratoga County. By touring some of the County government offices, participants will receive an up-close look at real issues facing local government, and learn how to make a difference.  The particulars of running for public office will also be covered.

Strategic Planning: 

Organizations move forward best when they have a plan. Strategic planning can be crucial to the growth of nonprofit organizations. Learn from real life experiences of nonprofit executives and board members in the county about how they went through a planning process, what worked, what they would recommend doing differently, and how to engage the board, staff, and members to follow through rather than having a plan collect dust on a shelf.

The Why in Communications: 

Understanding how to tell the story of an organization creates better opportunities for success. We will learn about archetypes and how to define messaging by understanding that the "why" is the message that needs to be shared for greatest impact.

Technology - Rewards and Risks: 

Rapidly changing technology can present many rewards for improving organizations, however, does not come without risks. This session explores ways to use technology in responsible ways and what policies and procedures should be in place to ensure risks are managed.

Graduate and Celebrate

Enjoy the recognition you deserve at the class graduation celebration, while reflecting on all that has transpired during the program. This is open to program participants and one guest.

As an additional opportunity, participants can be paired with alumni who have similar volunteer interests and could assist in making community connections for the participant.