Whether You’re Just Curious or Want to Help Fluvanna Prosper, FLDP is for You

The Fluvanna Leadership Development Program kicks off its 21st year with an in-person mixer and orientation on August 24, 2023.  Classes will be held every other Thursday from 6:30pm – 9:00pm through mid-March.  If you have any questions, please email us at information@fluvannaleadership.org.

There are no pre-requisites for the class, however, to successfully graduate, one must attend at least 15 out of the 18 sessions.  Students must also participate in a group project.  The cost is $75 for the entire program.  All you need is an interest in Fluvanna County and the people who run it.

FLDP class sessions are in-person this year at a variety of venues throughout the county.

• Each class will be 2.5 hours long.  The majority of the time will be allocated for the evening’s speakers. Classes will generally meet every other week, mostly on Thursday evenings.  Graduation is scheduled in mid-March.

• Classes are highly interactive, with every class member able to grill county officials and other speakers appropriately and get answers.

About the Program:

Our Mission:  To inform and educate interested citizens about Fluvanna County and the issues and challenges it faces; to prepare its citizens for involvement; and to encourage their participation in keeping Fluvanna a desirable place to live, work, and enjoy life.

This year the Fluvanna Leadership Development Program (FLDP) presents a curriculum of 18 different sessions scheduled over six months, each focused on a different aspect of the county and its resources.  Sessions include presentations by county officers and departments, representatives from the schools, local law enforcement and fire and rescue departments, local businesses, volunteer organizations and others.  Sessions will be held every other Thursday, from 6:30pm – 9:00pm.  A calendar for the current program is included on this website.

History of Fluvanna Leadership Development Program:

Twenty years ago, Dr. Russell Johnston and Red Pulliam, community leaders and members of the Ruritan Club, saw the need for a program to educate citizens about county operations, issues and challenges in a period of significant growth and change.

After studying similar programs in Goochland and other neighboring counties, the Ruritans presented a recommendation to our Board of Supervisors to establish a program in Fluvanna.  The Supervisors agreed and an initial steering committee was formed to define the focus of the curriculum.

Since the first class was offered in 2003, more than 400 citizens have completed the program.  Many graduates have gone on to fill elected and professional positions in county government; countless others have taken leadership or supporting roles in the many not-for-profit organizations that provide critical services to the community.

The Virginia Cooperative Extension Service (VCE) also provided invaluable assistance in the establishment of the program and has offered resources and consultation in expanding program content.  The relationship between the FLDP and VCE was formalized in a memorandum of understanding in 2015.

The FLDP is completely volunteer-run and is funded by a modest tuition along with financial support from the Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors.  The FLDP Steering Committee, whose members are all program graduates, plans and administers the sessions each year.

The Fluvanna Leadership Development Program is supported by Fluvanna County and is affiliated with the Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.