In-Person Program FAQs

TREC In-Person Programming – Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply to a TREC program?

Sign up for our newsletter to receive our program announcements! Once applications open, submit your application before the deadline. Please be sure you can attend the program in full, have your supervisor’s approval to apply, and meet the program eligibility criteria* before applying.

*TREC provides services to Wilburforce grantees and members of Conservation Lands Foundation (CLF)’s Friends Grassroots Network. For more information on FGN services through TREC, please reach out to your CLF contact.

When will I hear back about my application?

TREC will notify applicants who are invited to participate in the program or who are placed on the waitlist no later than 12 weeks prior to the program start date.

How does TREC decide who will attend each program?

After receiving your applications, TREC will invite participants selected to reflect the full diversity of our client partner regions and identities and to align with programmatic priorities. We will also consider the order in which we receive applications and recent individual participation in other TREC programs to help us maximize the impact of our programs. Participation is limited to one person per organization per program.

What if my organization prefers to coordinate the professional development of our team by determining which staff applies to participate in each TREC program offering?

Each organization is welcome to coordinate your teams however best supports your internal process. Feel free to review the information on this page to see all our upcoming leadership programming. Executive Directors are also welcome to email your preferred staff participation for each program to programs@trec.org. ED preferences will be highly considered, along with the other considerations mentioned above. Once you determine whom on your team you’d like to support to participate in each program, please invite them to complete the application.

What are TREC’s upcoming program offerings?

TREC In-Person Program confirmed and tentative dates, as well as anticipated application deadlines:

How do I know which program is right for me?

TREC aims to offer leadership support and programming to meet leaders at all levels of their careers. Our leadership programs include:

Foundations in Leadership Program (FLP)

FLP is designed for individuals early in their careers to dive into their understanding and practice around leadership. The program is intended to support early leaders to design a personal leadership approach that will support their continued growth within their careers and the sector.

Participant criteria:

• You must be a Wilburforce grantee and/or member of Conservation Lands Foundation (CLF)’s Friends Grassroots Network. For more information on FGN services through TREC, please reach out to your CLF contact.
• 2-5 years of experience in overall career
• Minimum of 1 year in current role
• Minimal managerial / supervisory responsibility

TREC’s Leveraging Leadership Program (TLP)

TLP is designed for diverse and dynamic cohorts of leaders whose performance and contributions have a significant impact within their organizations and movements. The program focuses on supporting leaders to build on their inherent leadership capacities and authentic leadership style.

Participant criteria:

• You must be a Wilburforce grantee and/or member of Conservation Lands Foundation (CLF)’s Friends Grassroots Network. For more information on FGN services through TREC, please reach out to your CLF contact.
• Minimum 5 years of overall career experience
• Minimum of 1 year in current role
• Your role should ideally include some managerial / supervisory responsibility, but this is not required

Visionary Leadership Alumni Program (VLP)

VLP is designed as an opportunity for past participants of TREC’s leadership programs to dive deeper into their understanding and practice around leadership and hone the skills required to create a sustainable, nourishing, and transformative world of work.

Participant criteria:

• You must be a Wilburforce grantee and/or member of Conservation Lands Foundation (CLF)’s Friends Grassroots Network. For more information on FGN services through TREC, please reach out to your CLF contact.
• Prior completion of TREC’s Leveraging Leadership Program (TLP)

How long is each program session?

TREC’s in-person program sessions are held from Monday through Friday. For each session, all participants must arrive by 3:00 p.m. on Monday and depart after breakfast on Friday morning.

To create the most impactful experience and ensure that you receive as much as possible from the program, all participants are required to stay on site at the program venue for the duration of the program. For programs with two in-person sessions, participants are required to attend both sessions of the program in their entirety from beginning to end.

Where are TREC’s programs held?

TREC’s 2026 and 2027 programs are scheduled to take place at the Whidbey Institute in Clinton WA, outside Seattle. For those traveling to and from SeaTac Airport, TREC will organize participant carpools to the program venue. Participants may also choose to transport themselves directly to Whidbey Institute.

What are your in-person convening protocols?

TREC takes the well-being of our program participants, staff, faculty, and venue partners seriously. To ensure all attendees remain as healthy as possible when we gather together, we require all program participants to test for COVID-19 before travel and upon arrival at our programs, and to stay home if you test positive or otherwise show any symptoms of communicable illness. We also require that participants wear K/N95 masks while traveling to prevent exposure to illness en route to the program. Additional precautions may be added as needed.

I would like to attend, but I have access needs that would need to be met in order to participate. What should I do?

TREC aims to support all participants to fully engage in our programs. We are not always able to accommodate all requests, but we will make a good faith effort to do so. If you have any access needs or concerns that are impacting your decision to apply, please contact TREC’s Program Manager (programs@trec.org).

I have more questions. Who can I contact?

If you have any questions about the program, please contact maia mareš, TREC’s Program Manager (programs@trec.org).