Do you want to get involved in your community but aren’t sure how to be an effective leader? Consider participating in the North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement’s Leadership Training for Older Persons (LTOP). This free, six-week course is designed to teach leadership skills and help participants gain the confidence and experience to better serve Western North Carolina’s mature adults.

During the course, participants will develop practical skills in leading groups, conducting meetings, handling difficult people, team building and public speaking. Special emphasis will be placed on helping LTOP students become stronger advocates for older persons in their communities.

“The course has been offered just twice before,” said Patti Cameron, Leadership Training for Older Persons coordinator. “Graduates from those classes have since put their new skills to use by serving on local boards and advisory groups, publicly advocating for the needs and concerns of seniors in their communities, and volunteering in various community projects.”

Leadership Training for Older Persons will meet on the UNC Asheville campus from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Wednesdays from August 9-September 13. The course is free and open to adults of all ages but preference will be given to underserved and minority residents of Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania counties. The application deadline is Monday, July 17.

The course is sponsored by the N.C. Center for Creative Retirement and the Leadership Asheville Forum.

For more information or to request an application, call the N.C. Center for Creative Retirement at 828/250-3871, e-mail pcameron@unca.edu or click on www.unca.edu/ncccr/LTOP.