"Personally I feel I have benefited in many ways. The relationships I have built are more than just business relationships they are personal friendships. I feel privileged to be part of such a dynamic group of present and future leaders of Springfield. You look around the media and you see members of our class communicating vital information to the citizens of Springfield. These people are already trusted community leaders as well as experts in their own fields. I feel more strongly committed to improving the quality of life we have in Springfield than I ever have. I also feel more encouraged and assured that we live in one of the best places in the entire country."
-Jeff Chronister, account executive, Ollis & Company, Class XVIII
Adult Program
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Leadership Springfield is doing its part to ensure Springfield has the leaders it needs to help the community retain its high quality of life and prosperity. The nonprofit organization provides an educational program to identify leaders and familiarize them with the community’s opportunities, needs, problems and resources.
Each year, a class of 32 participants is selected from applications to participate in the nine-month program, which includes two retreats and intensive daylong, once-a-month sessions on leadership dynamics, civic awareness, criminal justice and public safety, communications and technology, arts and quality of life, health and medical services, education and lifelong learning and the community. The class also completes a community service project selected through a consensus process at the spring retreat.
Selection Considerations
Each Leadership Springfield class is chosen by a selection committee that strives to achieve balance in the class by ensuring diversity of race, gender, industry, professional backgrounds and leadership experience. Classes are representative of our community and include participants who represent large and small businesses, the self-employed, non-profits and community volunteers. Applications will be thoroughly reviewed.
Selection considerations include:
• Participation to all individuals who live or work in the Springfield metropolitan area.
• Commitment to personal and professional growth.
• Commitment and motivation to serve the community by assuming leadership roles in the voluntary and public sectors of our community.
• Commitment to improving the community environment so as to favorably impact the economic development and quality of life in our community.
• Length of time in the community.
The Leadership Springfield program is highly competitive. A limited number of applicants are selected for each class (32 participants per class) so if your application is not accepted this program year we encourage re-application to subsequent programs.
Program Tuition
In addition to time and dedication, Leadership Springfield requires a financial commitment. Leadership Springfield tuition for Class XXIV is $1,150 and is due by May 31, 2008. In order to keep the cost to a minimum for the participants, the program does get sponsorships from the business community for each of the program days, retreats and graduation. Tuition and sponsorships cover all program costs including two two-day retreats, facilitator costs, lodging for the retreats, materials and meals provided during each program day, Leadership Springfield shirts, graduation dinner, and transportation during selected sessions. If the participant drops from the class before July 31, a refund will be provided less a $150 administrative fee. There will be no refunds after July 31. A limited number of full and/or partial scholarships are available on an as-needed basis and can be requested by submitting a brief description of the scholarship need along with the application. A request for scholarship assistance is not considered by the selection committee when making decisions
Program Participant Responsibilities
Leadership Springfield provides its participants with the opportunity to engage in an exciting year of personal, professional and community exploration but it does require a time commitment. The program begins with a two-day retreat in late September. Classes meet for all-day “program days” on the third Wednesday of each month from October through May. A second two-day retreat is also held in February. A special graduation dinner concludes the class in June. Attendance at all events is mandatory. The class is divided into seven groups of four to six people to plan the program days. An additional time commitment is necessary for these groups to meet for planning purposes and these meetings are scheduled by members of each individual group. In addition to program planning, a class project or other extracurricular activities may be required. Participants who are unable to meet the requirements of the program will be dropped. Following the completion of the program, participants are expected to stay involved in the organization, continually enhance their Leadership experience and help strengthen the program for the future. Part of that continued involvement is a commitment to pay annual alumni dues, currently at $60, which not only help to cover the costs of alumni programming and activities, but also contribute to the health and growth of Leadership Springfield.
Time Commitment
Participation in Leadership Springfield programs requires a major time commitment. Participants are expected to attend ALL sessions. Emergency absences are not permitted for the retreats and commencement activities.
Fall Retreat (Mandatory) Thursday & Friday September 11-12, 2008
Civic Awareness Wednesday October 15, 2008
Criminal Justice & Public Safety Wednesday November 12, 2008
Communications & Technology Wednesday December 10, 2008
Springfield: Our Community Wednesday January 14, 2009
Spring Retreat (Mandatory) Thursday & Friday February 12-13, 2009
Health & Medical Services Wednesday March 18, 2009
Education & Life-Long Learning Wednesday April 15, 2009
Arts & Quality of Life Wednesday May 13, 2009
Graduation Tuesday June 9, 2009
Hours for each program day are from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is highly recommended that if there is already a conflict with one of the dates that you not apply for the current program year.
Leadership Springfield graduates continue to be involved in the organization through the alumni association, which provides continuing education programs and connections to community organizations.
In spring 2008, Leadership Springfield will graduate its 23rd class – bringing the number to 695 graduates who continue to lead and serve their community. Today, it would be a challenge to find any business, government, civic or nonprofit organization in Springfield that does not have at least one Leadership Springfield graduate in a leadership role.
Leadership Springfield is an affiliate organization of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, www.springfieldchamber.com.