In conclusion we want to share some principles for engaging new leadership voices for catalyzing and sustaining community change. These principles, we believe, apply to all effective leadership development efforts regardless of who is being engaged or the precise form their learning and development takes. v

Valuing diversity. Developing new leaders from every sector of the population fundamentally requires valuing diverse perspectives and experiences.

Resources. Developing new leadership requires resources to create opportunities for people to learn, act, and make change.

Asset Perspective. In order to identify, engage and develop new voices who will have the motivation to work for meaningful, positive change, program or collaborative efforts must begin with a perspective that understands and values the assets that every individual or community brings to the table.

Relationships. Building solid relationships, based on trust and mutual respect, is at the heart of developing new leadership.

Ownership. Individuals and communities develop new leadership capacity when they set their own agenda for change and feel a sense of ownership for the process that supports them to make those changes.

An inclusive process. In order for new and existing leaders to effectively communicate and collaborate with each other, it is critical to use clear and inclusive language and develop a shared understanding of collective history.

Outcome oriented, experiential learning. New leadership is most successfully developed when people have a goal they want to achieve, a set of activities that move them towards that goal, and the ability to reflect about and learn from their experiences.

Information. The creation of and access to quality, usable information that validates the experiences of new leaders is critical to their ability to motivate themselves and others to act and make changes.

Skills. New leaders need to develop skills and abilities that enable them to successfully engage in activities that will lead to personal, family, community and societal well-being.

Connections. New leaders are more effective when they are connected through programs, organizations, or networks to others who share and support each other to achieve their goals.

13. "People" does not refer just to individuals, but also to collaborative partnerships, organizations or any other structured group of people who share a common agenda or purpose.