Grassroots Leadership 20th Anniversary Celebration
IMPORTANT UPDATE
As part of the Grassroots Leadership Development Institute Class of 2024 graduation, we planned to hold a 20th Anniversary Celebration to honor the nearly 500 graduates of GLDI since inception and kickoff the Coming Home Weekend.
In light of Hurricane Helene and our community’s recovery, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 20th Anniversary Celebration scheduled for Friday, October 25, 2024, at 1881 Event Hall so that we may focus on what matters most – investing into our community. Any GLDI Alumni and friends who purchased a ticket will be refunded in full.
We appreciate the GLDI Class of 2024’s dedication and commitment to this 7-month training and do not want to miss an opportunity to recognize you. We are planning a graduation reception after the first of the year to honor you – the Class of 2024. We will provide more details about this reception soon.
Now, more than ever, it is important for us to show our support for the communities where we live, work, play, and pray. This is why we have decided to move forward with GLAA Coming Home Weekend by focusing our effort and resources on those events that have a direct impact of service to our communities. We hope you will join us for the events that we have scheduled so that TOGETHER we can embrace what it means to collectively invest into our community and STRENGTHEN VOICES ACROSS SPARTANBURG COUNTY.
- Saturday, October 26th, 10am-1pm: Together We Serve GLAA Day of Service, held at various nonprofits throughout Spartanburg County.
- Saturday, October 26th, 1:30pm-4pm: GLAA Family Gathering, a time set aside to be present with community and family.
- Sunday, October 27th: Worship with Fellow Alumni on Sunday if you wish. A listing of GLDI Alumni who are also clergy and their places of worship will be posted on our Anniversary Web Page in the coming days.
We are almost through our 20 Weeks of Service Challenge!
Calling all Alumni! Volunteer at least 20 hours between June 9th and October 26th… to ANY cause you choose…any charity of your choice…at a time that is convenient for you for the chance to win a ticket to to the GLDI Anniversary Celebration!
If you did not get started in June, it’s not too late! You don’t have to log just one hour per week. You could volunteer 5 hours a week for four weeks – that counts too!
It’s easy. Simply volunteer for a cause you care about and then complete the volunteer form to record your hours. It’s that easy!
Two lucky GLAA members will receive tickets to the GLDI Gala Celebration on October 26th. When you reach 20 hours of volunteer time, your name will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a VIP ticket to this special black-tie optional celebration event. For every additional 10 hours you serve, above the 20 hours, you get another chance to win.
Complete the form each time you serve so that we can keep track of where you are making a difference!
Plan to Attend these Coming Home Weekend Activities!
Saturday, October 26th and Sunday, October 27th 2024
Voices in Action – Together We Serve
Saturday, October 26th, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
This special morning of service is an opportunity for GLDI Alumni and their families to get out in the community and volunteer together. We have four organizations picked out that will benefit greatly from your help, and you will have an opportunity to sign up to make a big difference! We have prepared in advance so this is a rain or shine event.
Family Gathering
Saturday, October 26th, 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Following our morning of service, GLAA will be hosting a family block party at the Dr. TK Gregg Community Center. Come on out and enjoy a cookout, complete with games, music, and fun! We will also be awarding 20 nonprofits Just Because grants in honor of our 20th anniversary! This is also rain or shine. Watch for a sign up and more information in the coming weeks!
Worship with Fellow Alumni
Sunday, October 27th, times vary by location
We have reached out to several Alumni who are also clergy in the area to conclude our weekend with an opportunity to visit other places of worship that morning. We will be posting a list of those Alumni and locations in the coming weeks! It’s a great way to end our weekend together!
2024 Marks the 20th year for the Grassroots Leadership Institute (GLDI) an initiative of the Spartanburg County Foundation launched to equip participants with the knowledge, skill-set, and resources to be effective in leading change throughout Spartanburg County and beyond. Developed as part of Strengthening Voices, leadership training intensive is designed to empower the community members to assume responsibility for positive social change and equip them with the resources to do make a difference. Nearly 500 community members have graduated from the Institute. More than 95% are still living, working, and making an impact in the Upstate. More than 20% are active in the Grassroots Leadership Alumni Association (GLAA). We encourage all GLDI graduates to participate in the Grassroots Leadership Alumni Association.
Grassroots Leadership Alumni Association
Grassroots Leadership Development Institute graduates are invited to become members of the Alumni Association. The purpose of the Grassroots Leadership Alumni Association (GLAA) is to continue to engage Institute graduates by creating opportunities for networking and collaboration, connecting alumni to leadership positions within the community, keeping them informed of pressing community needs, and providing continued leadership training.
events
4 leadership training sessions & networking events per year
membership fee
Annual fee for graduates is $25
Graduates
500+ graduates have completed the program
Submit / Renew your GLAA Membership
Click now to pay for or renew your membership!
