Some may share a single focus such as a group in Hutto whose first class included the entire school board and their spouses. Programs are community based, with local coordinators often being the Chamber of Commerce, the local Extension Service representatives, Resource Conservation District personnel, or community development specialists of major utility companies serving rural Texas. The local coordinating committee is guided through the process of developing their program, using the Texas Rural Leadership Planning Manual. They set budgets, recruit participants, arrange for facilities and instructors. Planning manuals, instructor packets, and student manuals are purchased from the statewide organization.
Participants receive a certificate of completion and a pin upon graduation.
Over thirty communities across the state have now taken advantage of the Texas Rural Leadership Program, some repeating the course as many as five or six times to train a steady stream of emerging leaders. Alumni have joined forces to create youth activity programs, to pass economic development sales tax initiatives, or to bring business and industry to their communities. A number of the graduates have been elected to city councils or serve as heads of civic boards and committees. Quite a few have started their own businesses. Once a community has completed a full thirteen-session course, they may elect to provide an abbreviated curriculum to a subsequent class.