People Engaged in Raising Leaders (PERL)

About the Program

Category: Personnel Management, Employment and Training (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

People Engaged in Raising Leaders (PERL) is a training program designed to increase the leadership, participation, and representation of people to diverse backgrounds on non-profit, municipal and county boards and commissions across Boulder County. It’s a solution to an issue that has been discussed for a number of years in the community: the disparity between the population of Latinos, Asians, African Americans, and Native Americans and their representation on local boards and commissions. The lack of representation by Latinos and other people of color was primarily attributed to their lack of exposure to leadership role models, experience, and networking opportunities. PERL provides the skills for residents to feel confident in serving on municipal and county boards and commissions, as well as non-profit organizations. They receive training to better understand the process, structure, and make-up of boards and commissions. The training prepares people of color to take leadership positions in the community and ensure their authentic participation; it also assures that there is representation from all the county’s constituents and that disenfranchised individuals have a voice in the decision-making process.