Leadership ECT Class of 2028 Application

Applicants must reside or work in eastern Connecticut and be a minimum of 21 years old.

Please refer to ChamberECT.com/leadership-program for complete qualifications. Applicant must be employed by a Chamber member business. Maximum class size = 30 participants.

A Selection Committee conducts all application screenings. Class members are selected based on application materials. Please be thorough and specific in your responses. Applications must be submitted no later than Friday, August 16, 2026 11:30pm.

For questions, contact Denise Desrochers at the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT: DDesrochers@ChamberECT.com or 860-701-9113

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I. Personal Information and Demographics

Demographics are requested in order to provide aggregate data to program sponsors and grant funders that make this program possible. NOTE: Name, email, and DOB are required for program application. Providing demographic information is optional and does not affect your eligibility or consideration for program participation.

Name *

First

Last

Name for name badge, if different (i.e. nickname)

Email *

Preferred Phone Contact *

Cell Phone
Work Phone

Date of Birth *

MM/DD/YYYY Participants must be 21 years of age or older.

Gender

Town/City of current residence *

Years in Eastern CT *

Any dietary restriction or food allergies?

For meal planning

Do you require any accommodations to participate fully in this program?

Citizenship Status:

U.S. Citizen
Dual Citizen (U.S. and Other)
Non-U.S. Citizen

II. Employment

Current employer *

Title *

Membership in good standing is required to participate in the Chamber's Leadership program. Is your employer a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT?

Business Address

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Current employment start date *

MM/DD/YYYY

Briefly describe your responsibilities. *

What would you consider your highest responsibility or career achievement so far? *

III. Higher Education

Institution Name

Institution Location

Degree

Graduation Year

IV. Organization/Activities/Community Involvement

Please explain your community engagement role(s), and identify any leadership responsibilities or areas where you have managed projects, people, and/or processes (event chair, project chair, fundraising chair, board of directors, PTO/PTA, etc.).

Primary volunteer role at this time

Organization

Position

Dates Served

MM/DD/YYYY - MM/DD/YYYY

Responsibilites

Other volunteer, professional, civic, etc. roles

Please list in order of importance to you, any other community, civic, professional, business, social, athletic, and other organizations of which you have been a member.

Organization

Position

Dates Served

MM/DD/YYYY - MM/DD/YYYY

What have you accomplished as a leader in any of these activities that you feel is important?

Please list any special awards or accolades.

V. General

Please be thoughtful and detailed in your responses. A qualifier for program acceptance is a demonstrated capacity for leadership, and (in addition to the above sections) this section provides additional opportunities to highlight your skills, your willingness to learn and be engaged, voice your community concerns, and more.

How would you describe your leadership style? *

What do you feel is a strength of yours? What do you feel is a weakness that you wish to improve? *

What are your areas of particular interest for leadership involvement? *

Identify and discuss a particular issue, opportunity, or problem crucial to the Eastern CT community. *

What do you hope to gain, and how do you expect to utilize your Leadership Program experience? *

VI. Schedule

The program requires total participation in the sessions during year one every second Thursday, from approx. 8 AM to 4 PM. During year two, participants will plan a minimum of one session in small groups. See section VIII for more participation expectations.

ORIENTATION 9/10/2026
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES 10/8/2026
EDUCATION 11/12/2026
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 12/17/2026
DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & EQUITY 1/14/2027
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT 2/11/2027
GOVERNMENT 3/11/2027
MILITARY AFFAIRS 4/8/2027
TOURISM, ARTS, & TRANSPORTATION 5/13/2027
RETREAT 6/10/2027

VII. Community Project

In addition to the class days listed above, your participation as a team member in a class project is also a requirement of the program. Participants will select, plan, and execute a civic service project in conjunction with a Chamber member nonprofit organization. It must be completed in the first year of the program (Sept-June). The project allows participants to put into action the lessons and leadership skills they will have learned, while leaving a lasting impact on the local community. Parameters of the project are developed by the participants, but scope may include fundraising, drives, and a hands-on aspect such as refurbishing a building or hosting an event. Planning time will be built into each session to the extent possible based on session agendas, however time may still be required outside of class dates. Time commitment varies for each project.

VIII. Participation

In order for our program to accomplish its stated goals, a two-year commitment and full participation of each individual is necessary. Graduation from the program will be contingent on completion of both years. If a participant fails to complete the course for any reason, tuition will not be refunded.

Class guidelines include:

YEAR ONE: Full participation in the curriculum is a requirement for graduation. - More than three full-day absences, counted in half-day increments during the program year, will result in expulsion from the program. - Participation in a productive manner in a class project is required. See VII.

YEAR TWO: Participants will be assigned to at least one planning committee for the sessions of the following year’s program.

- A participant is expected to attend session planning meetings with their respective committee(s), as well as attend those designated sessions.
- A graduation ceremony and reception will be held in July or August of year two.

I have read the expectations of participation as stated in sections VI-VII and agree to the required level of commitment to make the most of this program.

I agree

IX. Tuition

Participation in the LEADERSHIP EASTERN CT two-year program cost a total of $1,200.

An invoice will be sent to the email you provided in this application upon acceptance to the Program. Tuition is non-refundable and must be paid prior to October 9, 2026. Make checks payable to Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT.

Scholarships

The Chamber’s Regional Benefactors have generously provided scholarship funding to enhance select participation opportunities through The PILLARS OF THE COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP.

To see if you qualify for a scholarship please visit: chamberect.com/leadership-program, under the FAQs.

To apply for a scholarship upload a letter of request, which shall include:

how this program would benefit you and your organization
any personal community involvement or passion not already outlined in the application
whether you are able to participate in the program should you not be selected for a scholarship

Requests for financial assistance do not affect consideration for acceptance.

Scholarship Letter of Request:

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload

Who will pay your tuition? *

My Employer
I will pay
Other

Do you have the support/endorsement of your immediate or relevant supervisor for your full participation in the program?

Yes
No
Not applicable, I do not have a supervisor

Supervisor

This person will be notified of your satisfactory acceptance to, and subsequent completion of the program. If you do not have a supervisor (i.e. executive director, president, single employee/owner) you may put "none" or share a board contact here.