Action Learning

What are Action Learning Projects?

Action learning projects bring LWS class participants together in a collaborative team setting that fosters aspirational thinking and problem-solving. ALP teams offer a fresh set of minds and eyes that explore complex problems or potential opportunities for non-profit organizations. These individuals work together to meet specific goals that elevate how the organization impacts the community.

Non-profit community organizations often lack the business resources, time, and physical energy to analyze dilemmas, set goals, or implement solutions that meet the needs of the communities they serve. Finding creative ways to increase awareness of the organization, drafting plans for the growth of business and services, or discovering and implementing new ideas usually takes a large team of experts – a luxury not easily accessible or affordable to non-profit orgs. Leadership Winston-Salem partners with our city’s non-profit sector to provide a base of community leaders willing to support community organizations’ work as they complete the LWS Flagship program. These leaders work together in Action Learning teams to support the mission of non-profit entities – and the positive outcomes are significant. Not to mention, the assistance is free for non-profits.

The Leadership Winston-Salem Action Learning Projects ignite community leaders to utilize their talents, strengths, and skills to strengthen our community’s non-profits.

Through  the Action Learning Project concept, Leadership Winston-Salem:

• Generates applications from non-profit community organizations who need support for their initiatives
• Coaches class participant teams who focus on project development and goal setting through inquiry, reflection, and feedback
• Utilizes a project coach for each group who works to ensure that collaborative participation takes place and project deliverables are completed

 

Community Partner Benefits

Partnering agencies reap valuable benefits from this process, including more than the formal results of the project team’s work. Other benefits include:

• Increased resource investment in the agency’s work by the project team
• Heightened visibility in the community through the agency’s exposure to 70+ community leaders who are Flagship program participants
• Cultivated, lasting relationships between nonprofits and community leaders who are interested in volunteer service.

Class participants immerse themselves into these projects and often gain a personal connection with their partner agency that extends beyond the end of the project.

Each year, the Action Learning Selection Committee reviews proposals from local organizations and evaluates the needs and goals based on the action learning criteria. New class members select proposals they wish to work on during the year as part of a pro-bono consulting team.

LWS awards eight projects each year. Recruitment for Action Learning Community Partnerships for the Class of 2026 begins Spring 2025.