CCLP

Becoming A Certified Community Leadership Practitioner

With more than 1,000 Community Leadership Programs operating across the United States, Canada, and beyond, these programs serve as essential drivers of community growth and sustainability. Established primarily during the late 1970s and mid-1980s, Community Leadership Programs (CLPs) emerged as a response to the increasing recognition that an engaged citizenry is critical to a community’s long-term success. Whether in urban, suburban, or rural settings, the leadership needs of communities are distinct, yet they share fundamental principles. Community Leadership Programs challenge businesses, organizations, and individuals to develop a comprehensive understanding of their community's unique attributes and challenges, paving the way for sustainable and impactful solutions.

The evolution of CLPs as a profession underscores their role as the cornerstone of leadership development for thriving communities. To remain relevant and effective in a rapidly changing world, CLPs must prioritize innovation, collaboration, and practical, solution-oriented programming.

Expanding the Vision Through Certification

Recognizing this need, the Association of Leadership Programs (ALP) introduced the Certified Community Leadership Practitioner (CCLP) program in 2019. This initiative seeks to develop skilled, consistent professionals equipped to guide community members toward meaningful connection, collaboration, and engagement with one another and the broader community. ALP invites those affiliated with Community Leadership Programs to join the growing network of Certified Community Leadership Practitioners. This immersive training program equips professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to elevate their community leadership efforts and foster meaningful change.

By striving to continuously evolve, Community Leadership Programs can remain pivotal forces in building vibrant, connected, and thriving communities. Together, we can create stronger networks of leaders capable of shaping the future of their communities.

Questions about the CCLP Program? Contact Director of Programs Jessie Baginski, Ph.D., CCLP.

Core Responsibilities of Successful Community Leadership Programs +

To drive meaningful impact, CLPs must focus on the following key objectives:

Intentionally Develop Leaders to Drive Community Progress:
- Leadership development must be purposeful and aligned with the unique needs of the community. CLPs should identify, empower, and inspire individuals to act as change agents capable of addressing both present and future challenges.
Analyze and Assess Community Needs:
- An effective CLP conducts thorough analyses to identify the opportunities and challenges within their community. These insights inform the design of innovative, actionable, and sustainable solutions.
Engage Community Members in Defining Success:
- A shared vision is fundamental to a thriving community. CLPs should actively involve residents and stakeholders in defining what success means to them, ensuring that initiatives reflect their collective aspirations and priorities.
Create Adaptive and Sustainable Programs:
- Communities evolve over time, requiring programs that are flexible, forward-thinking, and designed to address emerging needs while promoting long-term sustainability.
Promote Inclusive Leadership Development:
- Effective leadership thrives on diversity and inclusivity. CLPs must proactively identify and nurture leaders who represent the demographics, values, and experiences of their communities.

Excellence in Community Leadership Programs
To further elevate the effectiveness and influence of CLPs, the following strategies should be prioritized:

Leverage Technology for Greater Reach and Accessibility:
- By utilizing digital platforms, CLPs can expand access to leadership training, foster broader participation, and create more inclusive communities.
Foster Cross-Sector Collaboration:
- Building partnerships across businesses, non-profits, and government entities amplifies the impact of CLPs, enabling resource-sharing and collective problem-solving for complex challenges.
Measure and Share Impact:
- Regularly evaluating program outcomes and sharing success stories helps build trust, secure funding, and inspire replication in other communities.
Prioritize Resilience and Adaptability:
- In today’s world of rapid social, economic, and environmental change, CLPs must focus on preparing leaders to navigate uncertainty and drive innovation.

Upcoming Courses for CCLP Certification

The Certified Community Leadership Program designation, administered by the Association of Leadership Programs, requires completing specific coursework and passing a certification exam.

2025 CORE TRAINING

The CCLP CORE Coursework is a foundational training designed for professionals involved in Community Leadership Programs, whether they are new to the role or seasoned practitioners seeking to align with best practices. The training provides the necessary tools to design, develop, and oversee impactful Community Leadership Programs.

CORE Training is offered virtually, once per year. 2025 CORE Training will take place over five sessions, each three hours in length.

The 2025 CORE Training will take place over three-hour sessions on the following days:

Monday, January 13
Monday, January 27
Monday, February 10
Monday, February 24
Monday, March 10

All sessions will be held from 12:00 - 3:00 PM ET | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT.

Participants must participate fully in all CORE Training sessions to successfully complete the 16 hours of coursework.

MASTERY COURSES

The CCLP Mastery Coursework builds on the foundational skills of the CORE Training, focusing on six key areas of operational excellence for Community Leadership Programs and nonprofit organizations. Each four-hour course is designed to provide specialized expertise and is open to professionals, board members, alumni, and leaders in the nonprofit sector.

These courses are led by industry experts, educators, and CCLP-Certified professionals, offering deep insights into essential topics.
Each of the six Mastery courses is offered virtually once per year.

Each course is four hours long, from 12:00 - 4:00 PM ET | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM PT on the designated day.

Monday, March 31 - Adult Learning
Monday, April 14 - Finance, Accounting, Fundraising and Other Revenue Sources
Monday, April 28 - Leadership Theory and Application
Monday, June 2 - Developing and Managing Boards and Volunteers
Monday, May 12 - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Building Cultural Competencies
Monday, June 16 - Advanced Facilitation

Earning the CCLP Designation

The Association of Leadership Programs (ALP) administers the certification process to obtain the CCLP designation. Training includes a series of learning components covering personal, practical, and theoretical leadership. Candidates must complete sixteen hours of CORE training, twenty-four hours of Mastery coursework, plus an additional ten hours of elective coursework for a total of fifty hours before applying to sit for the CCLP exam. The final requirement is completing and passing the written exam. All steps must be completed to be eligible to obtain the CCLP designation.

The steps in the CCLP process are designed to be completed in sequential order so that you have time to take in content and time to integrate learning into your daily practice. In certain circumstances, the CORE and Mastery coursework may be completed concurrently. The goal is not speed but development of competencies. Earning the CCLP designation is contingent on each individual passing the certification exam based on the program content. Course recordings are available for review and exam preparation.

Questions about the CCLP Program? Contact Jessie Baginski, Ph. D., CCLP, Director of Programs.

STEP 1 | CORE Training Course - 5 Modules +

The CORE Training is facilitated over five sessions, each three hours in length. There are five modules to be completed as the first step in the CCLP process.

The CCLP CORE Training process is managed by Jessie Baginski, Ph.D., CCLP, Director of Programs. Lead faculty members are Dick Hammond, Leadership on the Move (TX), and Christine Kennedy, Leadership Lynchburg (VA). Industry leaders with subject matter expertise round out our faculty presenters in the CORE courses, many of whom have earned their CCLP designation. Attendance and full participation at each of the sessions is expected.

An overview of the five CORE modules:

Module 1: Program Scope This module explores understanding the mission, vision, and value of the organization, along with strategies for ensuring relevance to your community. We will discuss both internal and external expectations of a broad variety of stakeholders. Demographic assessments and matrices will help you develop SMART goals to clarify objectives and elicit feedback on your programs. Focus: Understanding organizational mission, vision, and value to ensure relevance to the community.	Topics: Stakeholder expectations (internal and external) Demographic assessments and matrices Developing SMART goals Feedback mechanisms
Module 2: Program Specifics Program strategies encapsulate determining program offerings and clarifying target markets for all programs an organization might offer. Module two will help you identify programming gaps, develop criteria for participants, understand generational nuances for programs, and articulate desired outcomes of program experiences. Accompanying marketing, recruiting, budget, and staffing issues are also discussed. Focus: Defining and refining program offerings to serve target markets effectively.	Topics: Identifying programming gaps Generational nuances Participant criteria and outcomes Marketing and recruitment Budgeting and staffing
Module 3: Program Strategies As Community Leadership Programs are designed to educate, enlighten, and empower participants to move from knowledge to action, module three focuses on session planning, purpose, structure, and content. Learning styles, assessments, and service projects are included as key discussion points. Focus: Structuring programs to educate, empower, and enable participants to act.	Topics: Basic facilitation Learning styles Session planning and structure Incorporating service projects Assessment strategies
Module 4: Program Systems Program evaluation is critical to ensure programs are relevant and pragmatic not only for participants but also for the organization to verify that it is meeting its mission and delivering value to the community. Quantitative and qualitative methods of program evaluation are explored along with methods of engaging community members in understanding and articulating the CLPs value to the community. Engaging program alumni is a critical component of program systems understanding. Module four delves into alumni strategies, measurements, and ongoing engagement in the organization and the larger community. Focus: Evaluating programs to ensure alignment with mission and community impact.	Topics: Quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods Community engagement in articulating program value Alumni engagement strategies
Module 5: Program Sustainability Community Leadership Programs are the linchpin for training and development of effective leadership in their communities. They must be deemed as reliable, credible and worthy of public trust to sustain their operations. Module five discusses the budget considerations, staffing structure, and community support needed to sustain current programming and plan for continuous growth. Focus: Building a foundation for long-term program reliability and growth.	Topics: Budget Planning Staffing structures Community trust and support

STEP 2 | Mastery Courses +

The second step in the process is the completion of the following six Mastery courses, offered exclusively by the Association of Leadership Programs. These courses are typically taken sequentially, following the CORE Courses, but may be taken concurrently depending on the dates offered.

Mastery Courses must be completed within 18 months of the first CORE course taken.

Open to all organization members, including board members, alumni, and nonprofit leaders. The Mastery courses empower participants with advanced skills and strategies to enhance their leadership programs and ensure sustained organizational impact.

Each course is offered once per year in a virtual format.

1 - Adult Learning (4 hours) \| Monday, March 31 - REGISTER HERE The study of adult learning, andragogy, uniquely differentiates effective learning engagement for adult versus youth programs. This session will examine the principles of adult learning, trends in adult learning, adult learning theories and attributes, and developing effective curriculum for professionals. Focus: Principles and practices of engaging adult learners effectively. Topics: Andragogy vs. pedagogy Trends in adult education Key learning theories and attributes Designing impactful professional curricula
2 - Advanced Facilitation (4 hours) \| Monday, June 16 - REGISTER HERE Complex problems and controversial topics require a highly skilled level of facilitation to diffuse acrimony and enable civil discourse. Experience group facilitation techniques for effective dialog, feedback and conversations, and dealing with disruptors and resistance. Focus: Mastering facilitation skills to handle complex and controversial issues. Topics: Techniques for effective group dialogue and feedback Strategies for civil discourse on contentious topics Managing resistance and dealing with disruptors
3 - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (4 hours) \| Monday, May 12 - REGISTER HERE Achieving DEI goals is a complex process that cuts across multiple dimensions – policies, practices, attitudes and behaviors. Explore biases, cultural competencies, and the impacts of effective inclusionary practices for professional and personal growth. Focus: Promoting inclusivity and cultural competencies in organizations. Topics: Exploring biases and cultural awareness Inclusionary practices for professional and personal development Strategies for implementing DEI across policies, behaviors, and attitudes
4 - Financials, Accounting, Fundraising, and Other Revenue Streams (4 hours) \| Monday, April 14 - REGISTER HERE Fiscal stewardship and management are at the heart of public credibility and trust, especially in community leadership programs and nonprofit organizations. Learn the primary components of financial health, and how to build meaningful budget-based financial reports. Gain an understanding of developing financial dashboards and using them to effectively tell your organization’s story to leadership, staff, community, and funders. Explore innovative revenue streams and mapping tools for program assessment and decision making. Focus: Ensuring fiscal responsibility and sustainability in CLPs and nonprofits. Topics: Building and analyzing budget-based financial reports Creating financial dashboards to communicate effectively Innovative fundraising and revenue generation strategies Tools for program assessment and financial decision-making
5 - Leadership Theories and Applications (4 hours) \| Monday, April 28 - REGISTER HERE Gain an understanding of the evolution of leadership theories and their impact on community and organizational development. Determine which leadership theories and principles best embody your organization, your curriculum choices and desired outcomes. Discover how you can create experiences and practices that help your participants bring theory into life. Practice sharing theory fundamentals in meaningful adult learning techniques. Focus: Understanding and applying leadership theories in real-world contexts. Topics: Evolution of leadership theories Aligning theories with organizational goals and curriculum Designing experiences to help participants apply leadership principles Effective teaching techniques for adult learners
6 - Developing and Managing Volunteers and Boards (4 hours) \| Monday, June 2 - REGISTER HERE Successful Community Leadership Programs have a powerful ability to identify, attract, and retain high quality volunteers for roles in programming, organizational leadership, community engagement, and organizational sustainability. Learn board best practices and strategies for succession planning at all levels of an organization. Build a volunteer structure for continuous opportunities and leadership development. Focus: Strengthening volunteer and board engagement for organizational success. Topics: Best practices for board management and succession planning Strategies for volunteer recruitment and retention Building a sustainable leadership pipeline Structuring volunteer roles for long-term impact

STEP 3 | Electives +

Elective Coursework is the final component required to qualify to sit for the CCLP exam, focusing on personalized professional development. Candidates complete ten hours of elective credit by selecting classes or webinars that address their unique learning needs and align with the principles of the CORE CCLP framework.

Candidates are responsible for maintaining records of their elective hours.

Each candidate should select elective coursework opportunities based on their individual training needs, but credit must fall under one of the following categories:

Program Scope Program Strategies Program Specifics Program Success Strategies Program Sustainability Content Relevant to Mastery Coursework
Courses completed within the 12 months prior to your participation in the CORE Training Course can be considered for credit for elective coursework. Participants are responsible for tracking the completion of electives.

STEP 4 | Application For Exam +

Application Information

Upon completion of the training courses and all program requirements, the next step in the certification process is the submission of the application to sit for the certification exam. A score of 70 or higher must be received on the application to be approved.

Requirements
The Certified Community Leadership Practitioner (CCLP) certification designates a committed association professional who has demonstrated a wide range of knowledge essential to managing a community leadership program.

Eligibility to submit this application includes:

Completion of 16-hour CORE Training
Completion of 24 hours of Pre-designated Coursework
Completion of 10 hours of Elective Coursework
Three (3) years of continuous employment and/or involvement in the community leadership field
Be an organizational or individual member of ALP
All associated fees must be paid in full

Use the CCLP Application Guide link below to receive a copy of an application guide. This Application Guide provides information that you need to have available to complete the online application. There is no fee to obtain the application.

The final application must be completed online (contact programs@alpleaders.org for the link) and submitted for approval prior to obtaining the exam. A notice will be sent to the candidate within 24 hours after application submission with Exam procedure information.

STEP 5 | Sitting for the Exam +

Exam Information

The CCLP exam content is aligned with the required training coursework, which provides comprehensive, current, and applicable information for leadership program practitioners. The exam includes multiple choice, essay, matching, true/false, and fill-in-the-blank questions and is proctored online at a time you schedule upon the completion of all requirements.

Before sitting for the exam, please be aware of the following:

The test covers the material contained in the CCLP program and is not specific to your Community Leadership Program.
You should allow adequate time to complete the exam.
80% is a passing score. You may retest one time without an additional fee.
Once you click Submit Form at the bottom of the page, all answered and unanswered questions are locked in and cannot be changed!
- You may temporarily skip a question and then come back to answer or change your answer at any time before clicking submit.
Ask your Proctor any procedural questions before you begin.

For more information, contact: programs@alpleaders.org

RE-CERTIFICATION | Requirements +

To ensure a CCLP designee remains progressive and knowledgeable in the profession, re-certification is required every three years. Re-certification points can be achieved through professional education, contributions to the profession, service, and participation in leadership meetings, conferences, and programs. The designee is responsible for maintaining a record of all re-certification requirements. A re-certification fee of $200 must be submitted before an application for re-certification will be reviewed.

Fee Structure

Session	Course Hours	2025 Member Rate	Non-Member Rate
CORE Community Leadership Practitioner Course	16 hours	$600	$1,000
Adult Learning - Mastery Course	4 hours	$150	$300
Advanced Facilitation - Mastery Course	4 hours	$150	$300
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion - Mastery Course	4 hours	$150	$300
Financial/Accounting/Fundraising Revenue Streams - Mastery Course	4 hours	$150	$300
Leadership Theories and Applications - Mastery Course	4 hours	$150	$300
Developing and Managing Volunteers and Boards - Mastery Course	4 hours	$150	$300
Application/Exam		$300
TOTAL:	40 hours*	$1,800
Completion of an additional 10 hours of elective coursework is required to meet the 50 hours of required training. The applicant bears any expenses incurred in the procurement of this requirement. *Non-Members may take courses for professional development purposes. See the registration link for pricing.

Current Certified Community Leadership Practitioners

Since the inception of the program in 2019, 19 individuals have completed all the required coursework, sat for and passed the exam, and earned their CCLP designation.