In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.

- Harry S. Truman

About The Sidney Area Leadership Program

Founded in 1998, Sidney Area Leadership Program is designed to develop the leadership potential within our community. Sidney Area Leadership Program brings together individuals of diverse backgrounds and experiences with demonstrated talent and commitment . The program offers these selected individuals a unique opportunity to explore the resources of their community and the impact of social and economic changes on the Sidney area.

Goals

To identify and motivate emerging leaders.
To acquaint emerging leaders with community needs and resources.
To instill a sense of “community” to motivate participants into leadership roles.
To provide skills development training to enhance leadership capabilities.

OUR FUTURE LEADERS

The end of each program is the beginning of a new involvement for participants. Community leadership is an established tradition in the Sidney area. The complex problems of our times demand that our leaders be well-prepared and highly informed. Sidney Area Leadership Program was established to recognize our obligation to the great leaders of the past and future.

BENEFITS

Participants gain valuable new perspectives and become actively involved in solving problems, building a unique and distinctive group identity and serving as a corps of informed, motivated leaders to benefit the community. The program has an immediate, positive effect on participants, their work place, and the community. Graduates are well-informed and skilled in active community leadership- a lasting benefit as they assume positions of responsibility.

TUITION

$250/Participant
Chamber members save $50!

Sidney Area Leadership Program is self-sustaining through tuition and community support. Tuition helps offset the cost of meals, speaker expenses, administrative fees, and supplies necessary to run the program. Participants are encouraged to ask their employer to sponsor their tuition fees in return for the skills and knowledge they will bring back to the workplace.

COMMITMENT

Those selected to the program will attend seven Issue Days between September and April from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Each issue day is held at various locations in Sidney and includes a combination of lectures, panel discussions, small groups and field excursions. In addition, class participants will participate in 2-3 Skills Development Sessions and other enrichment activities: the Chamber Banquet, a School Board meeting, a City Council meeting, and volunteer at a Chamber event. A full schedule of times, places, obligations and other details will be sent to all successful candidates.

The second year, class participants will each teach one of seven issue days to the next year’s class.

apply to become a leader

We ask that businesses, public and private agencies, civic and other organizations in the community identify and support individuals with leadership potential for this program. Candidates must be interested in the future of the Sidney area and committed to personal involvement in shaping the future.

Participants and their organizations must be willing to commit the necessary time needed for the program:

This program is a 2-year commitment; the first to attend the program, the second to assist in the planning of the following year’s program.
Participants are required to attend all program days; if necessary an excused absence may be obtained and the day made up the following year.
Participants are required to attend a School Board meeting, City Council meeting, and the Chamber’s Annual Banquet during their first year of the Leadership Program.
Participants are required to volunteer for at least one Chamber Event.

Participants are welcome from all aspects of business, manufacturing, government, retail and social service industries. Applicants are chosen based on criteria established by the Sidney Area Leadership Selection Committee. Submitting an application will not guarantee enrollment into the class.

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