Leadership Charleston

Learn more about the issues facing the Charleston region. Discover why you need to make a difference. Put ideas into action. Expand your horizons.

What is Leadership Charleston?
For 38 years, the Chamber has offered Leadership Charleston, a 10-month program for professionals offering an intensive and up-close look at various issues impacting our region. Beginning with a two-day retreat followed by one-day sessions each month through June, the program features prominent and stimulating speakers who encourage discussion and participation along with visits to various community assets, including schools, hospitals, the Port of Charleston, military facilities, and a trip to the S.C. Statehouse. Each session examines leadership roles in political, social and economic affairs.

What’s in it for you and your employer?

Upon completion of Leadership Charleston, each participant will have:
• Strengthened leadership abilities
• Refined skills that can increase organizational effectiveness and efficiency
• Access to an informed network of diverse colleagues
• Exposure to a variety of regional leaders
• An understanding of the realities, opportunities and challenges of our region
• An opportunity to position their business as an organization committed to improving the community.
• Completed a 10 month project for a community-based non-profit organization
• An opportunity to become involved with and bring about positive change in our community

Whether you have lived in the Lowcountry for a short time or all of your life, Leadership Charleston will help you discover what is happening in the community and how you can get involved.

Request an application for Leadership Charleston Class of 2013

Please note:
Chamber membership required for registration.
July 15: Application deadline (application must be received by 5 p.m.)
July 31: Notification to all accepted applicants complete
Sept. 5-6: Orientation

OVERVIEW

The ten, one-day sessions are held from October to June from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. At each session, state and local business and community leaders will share their knowledge through lively discussions and activities that highlight real situations, needs and opportunities within the metro area. Leadership Charleston also offers first-hand experience through site visits and operational tours of area facilities. Past visits have included the South Carolina General Assembly/Statehouse, Lieber Correctional Institution, Joint Base Charleston, SPAWAR Systems Center Atlantic, Port of Charleston, ReadySC, Charleston International Airport, Project SeaHawk. Session topics are presented through lively debate, lectures, discussion groups, field experiences, simulations, workshops and case studies. Topics may include:
• Education and workforce development
• Government and politics
• Infrastructure
• Port of Charleston
• Criminal Justice
• Economic Development
• Health Care
• Human Services
• Military

Request an application for Leadership Charleston Class of 2013

 

GUIDELINES

Attendance and Class Days: Class sessions are held once every month between October and June. Class sessions are full one-day programs. Participants may not miss more than (2) two full sessions. Attendance at the Orientation/Retreat is mandatory. In addition, participants will be required to take part in enrichment activities and a class project.

Selection Criteria and Application Review: Chamber membership is required to register for Leadership Charleston. The program is intended as a value-added benefit of Chamber membership. Applications will be blindly evaluated and rated by a selection committee of Leadership Charleston Alumni. The selection criteria are civic involvement, leadership potential, diversity of perspective and commitment to the leadership program and the community. The class size is limited to 50 members and to no more than one employee per company or organization.

Tuition: Tuition in the Leadership Charleston program is $2,500. Full payment or arrangements for payments must be made by August 31. Reimbursement of tuition will not be granted after the retreat.

Scholarship/Financial Assistance: Partial scholarship funds may be available, based on need, and will be considered only after candidate selection is made. Applicants should indicate request for financial assistance on their application and attach a statement of financial need.

 

ACTIVITIES

Orientation-Retreat
Leadership Charleston is built on strong fundamental leadership principles. At the two-day Orientation-Retreat held September 5-6 (at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort) attendees will participate in a number of interactive, team-building activities designed to demonstrate the dynamics of effective leadership. The retreat allows class members to push themselves and provides the skills and confidence necessary to be effective leaders.

Class Projects
The Community Leadership Projects serve an important role in the Leadership Charleston curriculum, and are designed to accomplish the following objectives:
• Provide value-added support and consultation to a local nonprofit
• Provide a civic engagement opportunity for class members to collectively learn about and address critical community needs
• Provide an opportunity for class members to develop meaningful relationships with each other through teamwork and to gain experience leading in a team setting
• Provide an opportunity for class members to learn about how nonprofit organizations address community needs

Enrichment Activities
Enrichment opportunities abound within the Leadership Charleston program. A primary goal of the Leadership Charleston program is to encourage individuals to engage in their community. Participants are encouraged to attend public meetings within the tri-county region. These could be anything from a County or City Council meeting to School District Board meetings, to PTA meetings, to other types of public forums.