Leadership Academy

Objectives      

• To identify and develop potential and existing leaders in business, government, and the community and to help them better prepare for responsibility in the community.
• To provide these leaders with a practical, clear and simple understanding of major problems and opportunities facing our community.
• To facilitate access between emerging leaders and current leadership of the community.
• To improve the communications network among leaders from diverse backgrounds and interests.
• To create an avenue for persons of demonstrated commitment to the community to meet and exchange ideas.
• To stimulate increased participation in and commitment to the community.

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Smith Mountain Lake Leadership Academy is to develop local leaders by equipping them with leadership skills, to provide information on community issues so that the community can progress, and to evoke community action based on the presentation of these issues.

Overview

Each year, participants are selected through an application process.  Orientation begins in early January and class days are the first Wednesday of each month with graduation in early December.

In its first year, the Chamber will accept 10 participants from a diverse group of local professionals, representing various local industries and entities. Applications are being accepted until Nov. 20. For those selected, the tuition will be $750, which includes orientation, classes, networking mixers and graduation.