The Commonwealth Leadership^® Alliance (CLA) organization provides instruction and training resources to aid the emerging business professionals in acquiring specific knowledge and skills to pursue building their skills as a principled business leader. CLA is a non-profit organization (501(c)3 offering leadership development opportunities. This makes CLA a separate, legal organization which owns the educational materials and awards certificates and badges to participants who have met the intended learning outcomes. Certificates are only granted to those individuals meeting the learning outcomes as reflected through their knowledge checks, passing their summative assessment, and completing their reflection course.

This Handbook provides the Chapter Member an overview of what certificates they might pursue. Additional information about certificates and badges is available on the website, where you will be directed to the Learning Management System to begin your training.

Protecting the privacy of individuals and their personal data is of utmost importance to the Commonwealth Leadership® Alliance organization. We have a strict privacy policy in place, and one of the key principles is that we do not sell any personal data of our employees, members, or any individuals associated with our organization.

Our privacy policy ensures that any personal information collected is used only for legitimate purposes, such as maintaining employment records, facilitating communication, and fulfilling legal obligations. We take appropriate measures to safeguard personal data against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

We respect the privacy rights of individuals and adhere to applicable data protection laws and regulations. The Commonwealth Leadership® Alliance organization is committed to maintaining the confidentiality and security of personal data and handles it responsibly.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding our privacy policy or the handling of personal data, please feel free to reach out to our designated privacy officer or the appropriate contact within our organization.

The purpose of the Commonwealth Leadership^® Alliance (CLA) is to create a network of like-minded business professionals who are focused on principled business leadership.  Principled business leaders are dedicated to managing and leading successful business entities, while also creating positives outcomes for all stakeholders. To that end, CLA provides an assessment-based certificate program, which builds capacity and recognition of principled business leadership skills.

A certificate testifies to the truth of something and is often associated with the successful completion of a task, class, or activity. A certificate usually does not indicate competency beyond the specifics of the activity.[1]

In an increasingly complex world, Commonwealth Leadership^® Alliance certificates enable students to focus and refine their leadership skills to be ready to meet the business demands of the marketplace. Certificates are based on topics and content shaped by subject matter experts who are active in the industry.  With a Commonwealth Leadership® Alliance certificate, students can be prepared to contribute business leadership in any industry.

CLA certificates and badges are earned and awarded by following and developing skills in the four Professional Pathways:

Know Yourself Clarify your personal values and align them with your actions by identifying your leadership style and tendencies.

Build Your Team Build meaningful personal and professional relationships; consider how personal leadership style and tendencies fit within a team.

Find Your Path Explore the activities and actions you are interested in and do well. Grow in understanding how your interests and skills can guide your career decisions.

Practice Your Skills The Commonwealth Leadership^® Alliance Core Six™ leadership training program employs a curriculum providing training in essential skills that are the foundation for the Commonwealth Leadership^® Alliance The Journey™ leadership training program. Decision-Making, Financial Literacy, Innovative Thinking, Professional Communication, Relationship Building, and Social Responsibility are all essential skills taught within this leadership program.

The Commonwealth Leadership^® Alliance (CLA) organization is dedicated to ensuring access, fairness, and equity for all persons in its educational programs and in the administration of its education policies and programs. When brought to the attention of an unfair practice, CLA will take corrective action necessary to stop, prevent, and remedy discriminatory, harassing, and retaliatory behavior.  In addition, CLA maintains a continuing commitment to identify and eliminate discriminatory practices in every phase of operation, but with specific intensity in the certificate and badge program.

[1] Source: Institute for Credentialing Excellence: https://www.credentialingexcellence.org/Accreditation/New-to-Accreditation/Certificate-vs-Certification