Leadership Eastern CT - Class of 2026 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 and application requirements. 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 Sunday, August 18, 11:30 pm.

For questions, contact Amanda Morin, amorin@ChamberECT.com  or 860-701-9113

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

II. Employment

MM/DD/YYYY

III. Higher Education

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

MM/DD/YYYY - MM/DD/YYYY

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.
MM/DD/YYYY - MM/DD/YYYY
MM/DD/YYYY - MM/DD/YYYY

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.

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 9/12/2024; HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES 10/9/2025; EDUCATION 11/13/2025; ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 12/18/2025; DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & EQUITY 1/9/2026; LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT 2/12/2026; GOVERNMENT 3/12/2026; MILITARY AFFAIRS 4/9/2026; TOURISM, ARTS, & TRANSPORTATION 5/14/2026; RETREAT 6/11/2026

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 of year two.

IX. Tuition

Participation in the LEADERSHIP EASTERN CT two-year program cost a total of $1,125. 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, 2025. Make checks payable to Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT.

Scholarships

The Chamber’s community of supporters have generously provided scholarship funding to enhance select participation opportunities:The PILLARS OF THE COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP, powered by our Regional Benefactors, and The ASPIRE SCHOLARSHIP, made possible by the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut.

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:

  • which scholarship you are applying for
  • 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.

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

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.