The participant's manual contains training materials for a 3-day national conference on strengthening board leadership in agencies concerned with independent living for people with disabilities. Preliminary materials include the conference agenda, background information about the trainers, and organizational information on Independent Living Research Utilization and the National Council on Independent Living. The bulk of the document is comprised of the manual titled, "Exercising Community Leadership: A Resource and Training Manual for Consumer Controlled Non-profit Boards of Directors Serving People with Disabilities." Following an introduction, this manual contains sections on: (1) the mission of centers for independent living; (2) legal responsibilities of board members; (3) board organization; (4) planning; (5) personnel responsibilities; (6) financial responsibilities of the board; (7) community relations; and (8) group process and decision making. Six appendices provide a sample board member biography, a sample board of directors policy and procedures, sample employee and agency policies and procedures manual, board position descriptions, a list of assessment and training instruments, and sample fiscal policies and procedures. Also provided are some group exercises and board scenarios and materials for a PowerPoint presentation. (DB)