For almost 30 years, the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School has produced quality graduates who've chosen to give back to their community. CLS has offered a training ground for emerging and existing leaders to enhance their community knowledge and civic network. Many of the greater Peoria region's community leaders who are highly visible or quietly giving of their time are graduates of CLS. This program affords participants an amazing venue to become better acquainted with this community and its inner workings.
The purpose of the Leadership School is to identify and motivate emerging leaders from a cross-section of the community and to develop their potential for civic leadership by exposing them to the realities, opportunities, and challenges of our community. CLS programs help develop and enhance community leadership by offering participants a wide variety of experiences. Specific objectives of the program include:
- Expanding awareness of issues and opportunities facing the Peoria area.
- Gaining a broader view of community issues through direct contact with a spectrum of institutions and individuals.
- Developing relationships with other leaders.
- Being part of a team that selects and develops a project to benefit the community.
As a past chairperson of the Community Leadership School, I've personally witnessed the many long-term benefits of participating in this program, both to the community and to the individual. The program offers enhancement of leadership skills; visibility to individuals, businesses, and involved organizations; promotion of a network of contacts among participants; identification of community service opportunities; completion of a team project that benefits the community; and promotes team building skills.
To steer our city's future, true leaders must be educated on our past. That's why CLS gives you a frank, in-depth look at the issues, successes, and challenges that face our city and our region. We look at where our city has been, where things stand now, and what opportunities there are for improvement. Community Leadership School participants hear first-hand from community planners what their vision is for our region.
On behalf of the board of directors, I encourage you to identify individuals who've demonstrated an interest and commitment to serving this community. The Chamber of Commerce seeks quality, diversified candidates willing to commit the time required to make this an experience of a lifetime. Encourage these people to investigate this opportunity.
For more information and application forms, visit www.peoriachamber.org or call 495-5926. Applications must be received at the Chamber office by October 25. Class members will be selected by November 9, orientation is set for January 7, and classes run through March 18. Tuition for CLS is $495 for Chamber member businesses and $695 for non-Chamber members. One graduate from the CLS class will receive a scholarship to participate in the Peoria Chamber of Commerce Fly-In in May. IBI