LAA Flagship Class Projects
Leadership Anne Arundel’s Flagship program emphasizes community leadership and engagement through class projects. Each year, we collaborate with local nonprofits and county programs to identify projects that address specific needs or solve problems for these organizations.
The impact of the LAA class projects has sparked a ripple effect across every corner of our county. Over the past 30 years, LAA Flagship participants have launched numerous initiatives that have invigorated nonprofits throughout the region.
The primary criterion for project selection is the opportunity for personal and professional growth for the participants. Projects are reviewed by LAA staff and presented by nonprofits at the Opening Retreat, where class members choose their projects through a marketplace setup. Class members can also propose their own project ideas. These class projects may become long-term initiatives with continued engagement beyond the program.
Here are some examples of those sustaining programs:
ANNE ARUNDEL COMMUNITY COLLEGE - BRIDGE TO SUCCESS
Members of LAA Flagship 1995 Class started a program that would bring high schoolers to the Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) to help the student make a smooth transition to college and provide resources to ensure their success. The FLG 1995 class helped design a program for high school students to shadow an AACC student, get a tour, eat at food services, and become familiar with campus. The goal was to design a program designed to prepare students to ease into their newcollege experience with an engaging and inclusive campus environment. The program was a great success, and decades later, the summer transition program, Bridge to Success, is still in operation.
"It is incredible that this idea has had legs, and Dawn (Dr. Dawn Lindsay, President of AACC) refers to it as the gift that keeps on giving! They have continued to refine its components over the years." Larry Ulvila, Chair of the Board of Trustees of AACC (FLG1995)
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT - TEEN COURT
Inspired by Flagship 1997, Teen Court is a program that offers teenage offenders an important second chance to learn from their mistake without the high cost and stigma of a criminal record. The program is run by teens for teens who have committed a misdemeanor crime. The teens appear before a jury of their peers.The LAA Flagship 1997 class was tasked with creating a program to help the Anne Arundel PoliceDepartment develop an alternative justice system for first time non-violent offenders, ages 10-17, a chance to learn from their mistake in lieu of having a criminal record. The project goal was to implement a Teen Court for Anne Arundel County's Juvenile Justice system. The program was successfully implemented. Today, the Teen Court is still operating, providing youth offenders an important second chance to learn from their mistake without the high cost and stigma of a criminal record. It is a real justice program run by teens for teens.
"Incredible things ... can happen when community and government work together." - AACOPD
BICYCLE ADVOCATES FOR ANNAPOLIS & ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY (BIKE AAA)
LAA’s Flagship 2013 project team took on Bicycle Advocates for Annapolis & Anne Arundel County (BikeAAA). A team of six volunteers set out to determine what efforts were already underway to promote biking in Anne Arundel County. Led by FLG13 class member, Jon Korin, it has blossomed into a vibrant all-volunteer advocacy group for bikers of ages and abilities, with over 700 members and more than 2,000 followers committed to safe cycling throughout Anne Arundel County.
“This project continues to grow in service and the impact in the community is absolutely incredible." – Derek Matthews, LAA Chair
HEART SMART - THE CLIFF R. ROOP CARDIAC SUPPORT AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Former Councilman Cliff Roop died from a heart attack during an Anne Arundel County Council meeting in January 2000. The Cliff R. Roop Foundation was started as a nonprofit committed to improving the chances of surviving sudden cardiac arrest and making the community safer through donations of Automated External Defibrillators (AED's) and CPR/AED certification. The LAA Flagship 2000 project team created the Heart Smart Foundation to raise funds to put an AED in the County Council Chambers in honor of Mr. Roop. The FLG00 project team effort resulted in three AEDs that first year. They were so successful, the group decided to continue after the Leadership Anne Arundel project was completed. The group incorporated as the Cliff R. Roop Cardiac Support Education Foundation in 2002, and now has evolved to its own 501c3. To date, more than 44 AED’s have been placed in our community, and at least three lives have been saved with these devices.
THE COMPLETE PLAYER CHARITY
The Complete Player (TCP) Charity, is a youth development and educational nonprofit organization that serves low/moderate income families in northern Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Through extracurricular experiences, TCP Charity is“Unleashing the Leader Within”underserved youth by equipping them with the character, confidence, and emotional intelligence needed to reach their full potential." The goal of the project was to launch The Complete Player as a viable program. The Flagship 2019 project members connected with funding sources and created lasting relationships and is now used as model to implement this program and expand it to several schools across the county. The Flagship 2022 class continued to build on the success by creating a Young Leaders Program. This program involved developing a student-led community project from business plan to include investment pitch, supply procurement and physical labor. The group completed a revamp of a park near the school including painting the basketball court and planting flowers. Flagship members involvement also positively influenced the students social, emotional, and cognitive skills and competencies.
"I was able to meet awesome people and start what I believe to be lifelong friendships."
PULSE POINT
In coordination with Anne Arundel Medical Center and the Anne Arundel County and City of Annapolis Fire Departments, the Flagship 2015 class launched PulsePoint, a free-to-download mobile app that alerts CPR-trained citizens of cardiac events in their vicinity, so they can administer aid while professional responders are in route.The app also informs responders and emergency dispatchers of nearby public AEDs.
SAIL BEYOND CANCER ANNAPOLIS
Sale Beyond Cancer Annapolis provides free, private sailing trips for cancer patients, caregivers, and their loved ones. The organization asked LAA Flagship 2022 Class project team to develop an outreach program. The LAA team focused on increasing sail nominations, raising awareness, enhancing donations and volunteer involvement, and crafting a media strategy. They assigned roles, created a timeline, and executed the plan while keeping the Board and Executive Director informed. The project successfully increased community presence, resulting in more nominations, volunteers, and mission sails.
"The FLG22 Class laid a strong foundation for raising public awareness about our work, ultimately helping those being challenged by cancer and their families." – DC
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