Section 897.5 - Rural leadership training program(a)Requirements.--The department or a designee appointed by the department shall develop an educational program of sufficient scope and duration to provide a reasonable opportunity for the individual served to acquire the knowledge essential to developing the following: (1) An understanding of the economic, political, cultural and social forces inherent to the public decision-making process.(2) An understanding of the application of leadership skills, processes and strategies to resolve conflict.(3) The ability to study community problems and issues from a broad economic, political, cultural and social perspective.(4) An understanding of interpersonal relationships and group dynamics and their role in the public decision-making process.(5) An understanding of contemporary social and economic problems and policy issues and how they affect public policy.(6) An understanding of the budgetary concerns encountered by rural communities.(7) An understanding of international relations and the world economy.(8) An understanding of the legislative process and legislative procedure.(b)Eligibility.--Any citizen who is a resident of a rural community or any official elected to public office in such a community may participate in the program. The department or a designee appointed by the department shall ensure that program participants are representative of the diverse social, economic and cultural composition of rural areas of this Commonwealth.(c)Applications.--Any resident of a rural community or any person elected to public office in a rural community may submit an application for participation in the program at such time and in such manner as the department may prescribe. 1992, June 26, P.L. 325, No. 65, § 5, imd. effective.