When you participate in the Saruk Centre’s three-year program in Leadership Development, you’ll learn from a diverse set of leaders and receive individualized training and mentorship, participate in practical experience and local service, and have the opportunity to job shadow and travel for humanitarian work.
Over three years of training, participants will have diverse opportunities to engage in activities that foster lifelong learning. The program encourages personal growth and skill development beyond what is typically obtained in traditional academic institutions.
Outcomes of the program
Participants will:
- Become confident, action-oriented, and self-aware
- Learn how to set goals
- Become skilled in managing their physical, mental, and financial health
- Become skilled in various forms of effective communication
- Establish enduring and productive relationships with mentors
- Become skilled in developing, fostering, and growing a strong network
- Gain insight and perspective from others
- Become skilled in interview and job searching
- Experience supporting, leading, and managing projects from start to end
- Be prepared for volunteerism
- Impact others through service
- Obtain awareness and sensitivity to other cultures and people
In short, you’ll lay a firm foundation for graduate school, future employment, humanitarian and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Training Schedule
Years 1 and 2:
- A total of 4 seminars over 2 years: Two weekend seminars each year (fall and winter), Thursday evening-Sunday afternoon, held in a conference centre. Meals and lodging are included.
- Mentoring and job shadowing are optional throughout the year.
- Note: The term “Years 1 and 2” does not refer to the order in which seminars must be taken; instead, it denotes the number of years a participant has been part of the program
Year 3:
- Students that complete the two year program (4 seminars) may be selected to lead a self-initiated service or humanitarian project in the 3rd and final year of the program.
- The participant will develop and conduct a service project that they are passionate about
- The participant will be mentored and guided by the Saruk Board and other experienced leaders to ensure each project has a high chance of success.
- If the project is not local, you may apply for partial funding for travel to complement project specific fundraising efforts.
Seminar Topics Covered in Years 1 & 2:
Social & Emotional Intelligence
- Paying attention: Active Listening
- Grit / Readability
- Learning to Collaborate
- Developing a Positive Attitude, Empathy, Leadership, Teamwork
- Interpersonal Skills
Respectful Leadership
- Building a Resume vs. Writing Your Epitaph
- Modelling Leadership as a Servant: Empathy
- Vision and Motivation
Building an Effective Team
- Building a Team
- Influencing a Team
- Holding the Team Accountable
Vision & Goals For Self
- Setting Vision & Goals for Self
- Critical Thinking / Flexibility
- Assessing Strengths and Weaknessess
Daily Habits for Lifelong Leadership
- Building Strength for Leadership
- Stress: Daily Habits for a Resilient Life
Balancing Power & Influence
- Using Power and Influence for Positive Outcomes
- Recognizing the Abuse of Power
Employment Day: Finding & Keeping a Job
- Resume and Interview Skills
- Personal Grooming, Dressing and Presentation
- Time Management
Conflict Management
- Resolving & Avoiding Conflicts
- Identifiying Conflicts Early
Understanding Global & Local Poverty
- Knowing how to help
- Why international aide has not solved poverty
Leadership & The Law
- Understanding everyday legal issues
- Liability associated with leadership
Inclusiveness & Commitment
- Treating People Equally and Equitably
- Understanding Multiculturalism
- Gender Leadership Styles
Anchor Yourself: Making Good Decisions
- Principles for Sound Decision-Making: Distinguish Role from Self
- How to Connect with and Nurture Others
- Virtues of an Open Heart: Compassion for Self and Others
Life Skills
- Financial Skills: Budgeting, Credit Cards, Loans, Interest
- Employment: Resume Tips and Mock Interviews
- Goal Setting
- Health, Diet and Exercise
- Communication: Email, Speaker Introduction, Principles or Speech Making
- Accountability
- Understanding Others
- Problem Solving
- Reading a Contract, Knowing your rights
- How to have tough conversations
Who Can Register?
Participation in the Saruk Centre for Leadership Development requires that you must have completed Grade 12, be enrolled in a post-secondary Institution, and be interested and committed to participating in rigorous extra-curricular learning about leadership, service, and life skills over a 3-year program (attending two-weekend conferences per year) as described above on this website.
- The program typically begins in the fall of each year but if capacity becomes available it is possible for wait-listed and new applicants to join starting with the January session.
- Cost per year: $5,000/student, including travel scholarships for global service trips and educational field trips. During the Saruk Centre initial development phase costs are covered in full by Centre philanthropists.
- Applications: Must be filled out by the deadline described in the "Apply" section of this website.
- Failure to respond to an acceptance notification, RSVP deadline or failure to attend after registration may result in a participant being dropped from the program.
The Saruk Centre Certificate of Completion
Students will also receive a certificate from the Saruk Centre for each seminar completed. This may be shared with educational institutions and employers to illustrate the depth of a students experience in the Leadership program.
The $5000 program cost is fully covered by the Saruk Centre for 30 accepted applicants!
Do you want to develop valuable skills taught by industry leaders that cannot be learned from a book?
Are you looking for opportunities to expand your experience, boost your resume and better prepare for your future career?
Do you want to build a foundation of knowledge, skills and experience to prepare you for graduate school, high-level employment and entrepreneurial opportunities?
