The Washington Leadership Program

Preserving a Legacy for the Community’s Future

What is the Washington Leadership Program?

• The Washington Leadership Program (WLP) is a new nonprofit organization established to develop new leadership for the South Asian community in the U.S. through innovative programs.

• The organization was established in remembrance of pioneering publisher and philanthropist Gopal Raju. For fifteen years, Mr. Raju sponsored a unique program that brought the best and brightest young students to Washington, DC during the summer to intern with a Member of Congress.

• The WLP has been established and will be administered by the 170 alumni of Mr. Raju’s original program.

“the best program of its kind on the Hill.”- Former House Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt (D-MO)

Rep. Ackerman (D-NY) Sen. Clinton (D-NY) Rep. Gephardt (D-MO) Rep. Pallone (D-NJ) Sen. Brown (D-OH) Sen. Menendez (D-NJ)

Sen. Frist (R-TN) Rep. Jindal (R-LA) Rep. Wilson (R-SC) Sen. Cochran (R-MS) Sen. Inhofe (R-OK) Rep. Coble (R-NC)

“The WLP has changed the way I look at myself, my community, and my country.” - Ronnie Chatterji, Class of 1999

“The Washington Leadership Program provides a unique opportunity to young Indian Americans to become stronger and more informed citizens and leaders - something that is very much needed in today's fast paced, ever changing global community.” Shikha Bhatnagar, Class of 1995

“The WLP has definitely been one of the most positive experiences I have ever had.” - Sandeep Rao, Class of 2001

“Through debates and brain-storming sessions, we inspired each other to not just contemplate the population, but to act in ways that would effect real change in the community.” - Sumana Chatterjee, Class of 2001

Why Do We Need the WLP?

• No community can succeed without leaders. No program exists in the South Asian community to train the next generation of leadership.

• The WLP Program uniquely addresses the need for leadership within the community by exposing students to internships with Members of Congress, so they can experience firsthand how tangible change is created. In addition, the students receive a structured leadership training curriculum which puts their experiences in the appropriate context. Finally, participants have access to a growing and increasingly successful pool of alumni leaders.

How Does the WLP Work?

• The program consists of three distinct components:

Summer Leadership Program

LeadershipProject

LeadershipCommunity

NEW

Summer Leadership Program

• WLP will place 5-10 college students in Congressional offices for an 8-week summer internship

• The students will also participate in a weekly, structured program designed to improve their leadership skills

• The students will receive a nominal stipend for participating in the program

Leadership Project

• Following their summer experience, participants will be required to lead a project to apply their learning

• Participants will be able to draw on the alumni and the community-at-large for support

• Participants will share their lessons learned about leadership at the conclusion of their project

NEW

Leadership Community

• At the conclusion of their leadership projects, the participants are formally inducted into a “leadership community” aka the alumni - currently 170 strong

• Events, online learning, and networking ensures continued learning for the long-term development of the leaders

Goals for 2008-2009

• Establish the WLP organization

• Raise $25,000 to fund the 2009 program and provide seed capital for future growth

• Successfully administer the 2009 Summer Leadership Program with 5-10 student participants

• Develop plan for Leadership Project and Leadership Community components

2008-2009 Project Plan

FEB. 1APPLICATION

DEADLINE

Q22008

Q32008

Q42008

Q12009

Q22009

Q32009

ESTABLISH WLP

RAISE 2009 FUNDING AND SEED CAPITAL

ADMINISTER 2009 PROGRAM

FUTURE PLANNING

NOV. 15

PUBLISHINTERNSHIPAPPLICATION

JUN. 15

ORIENTATION

AUG. 7

WRAP-UP

AUG. 1

INCORPORATEWLP

Why WLP Will Succeed

• Large and broad base of dedicated alumni supporters - many already successful - with deep ties into the community

• Strong brand reputation of the WLP program - both on Capitol Hill and in the community

• Core group of alumni who are experienced with running the program, having served as administrators of the original program

How You Can Help

• Consider making a tax-deductible donation to the WLP.

• Host an event with friends and/or family to allow WLP alumni to raise awareness about the program and solicit support.

• Volunteer for one of the WLP Committees.

• Visit the website for more information at www.thewlp.com