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Leadership Columbia Application Deadline Extended Through June 15

Submitted by: Katherine Swartz, CAE on Jun 06, 2011 at 2:38 pm Tagged with: Columbia, Community Involvement, Leadership, Leadership Development, professional development Source: Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce

Call For Applications Extended Through June 15
for Leadership Columbia Class of 2012

Leadership Columbia, a program created and managed by the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, is extending the application deadline to June 15, 2011 for Leadership Columbia -- Class of 2012. Leadership Columbia provides existing and emerging local leaders with opportunities to enhance their civic knowledge and network, while developing the skills necessary to assume leadership roles and exposing them to involvement opportunities in the community.

“Whether you have lived in Columbia for a short time or all of your life, Leadership Columbia will help you discover what is happening in the community and how you can get involved,” said Keith Chichester, Leadership Columbia advisory committee chair. “Throughout the program, participants gain a birds-eye view of the issues facing the community and a network of 59 fast friends.”

Since its inception in 1973, Leadership Columbia has celebrated close to 1,600 graduates. The 10-month program includes monthly learning sessions, a class retreat, a group project and enrichment activities. Leadership Columbia encourages service learning with participants urged to apply their talents by becoming a part of professional associations, civic organizations, nonprofit boards and public commissions.

Applications are blindly reviewed and rated by a panel of Leadership Columbia Alumni; applicants are then interviewed by a separate alumni panel. The class is chosen from the combined scores of the application review and interview. The selection criteria include civic involvement, leadership potential, diversity of perspective and commitment to the leadership program and the community. Leadership Columbia selects 60 members each year, with no more than two employees per company or organization.

Tuition for the Leadership Columbia program is anticipated to be $1,575 for Columbia Chamber members and $1,925 for non-chamber members for the 2012 class. Tuition includes membership in the Leadership Columbia Alumni Association for two years. Partial scholarships are available, based on need, and will be considered only after candidate selection is made.

For more information on Leadership Columbia, the selection process or to request an application form, visit www.columbiachamber.com. Deadline for applications is May 31.

About the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit, membership-driven organization comprised of 1,500 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions and individuals in Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry and Richland counties. The Columbia Chamber serves as the voice of its members and the business community at large on matters of economic, educational, social, cultural and political concern, as well as supports and promotes the success of its members through networking, professional development, advocacy and leadership. The organization has represented the interests of the local business community since 1902.

To become a member or to learn more about the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, as well as its events, programs and initiatives, visit www.ColumbiaChamber.com.