This study compared the effectiveness of Georgia community leadership programs based on leadership skill development to that of programs based on issue discussion and networking. The Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI-Self) was adapted for community leaders and mailed to a stratified sample of 376 alumni of community leadership programs based on the two approaches. Of the alumni, 188 were from rural areas and 188 were from urban areas. The 189 surveys returned were analyzed. Means and standard deviations were calculated for each of the subscales of the LPI-Self. Two-way analysis of variance was used to compare the LPI-Self subscales of alumni from the skill-based and issue- and networking-based programs. No statistically significant differences emerged between the leadership practices of the graduates of the two types of programs. Some small differences were found in only four categories of the LPI-Self subscores. Both types of programs were deemed effective in promoting the use of transformational leadership practices, and both types of curricula were concluded to be suitable for all individuals of all ages, educational levels, occupations, races, and locations (urban and rural). It was recommended that more diversity be created in community leadership classes. (MN)