What’s New in The Chamber Foundation’s Leadership Programming

This Fall at The Chamber Foundation, the leadership programs Youth Leadership and Leadership Dutchess are off to an energetic start. I have several updates to share and many ways you can get involved:  
The Youth Leadership 2024 program resumed in September. For some background, Youth Leadership is an innovative two-year leadership development program designed to hone area youth's academic, social, and life skills. Students are provided opportunities for substantive interaction with their peers, community-based service organizations, institutions of higher education, and professionals from local industries. Since September, all students have received workshops in Community Engagement and Health and Wellness. The Track 1 students (10th graders and returning 12^th graders) are building a student-based company from the ground up, including designing the marketing concept for their company, selecting possible products to sell, and beginning to sell stock in the company. In the process, the students develop skills in teamwork, public speaking, and self-discovery as leaders. Please consider supporting this student-based company at the Chamber’s December Business After Hours, where the students will sell company stock for $10 each. Also, stay tuned for the Chamber’s spring Business After Hours events, when the Youth Leadership students will sell personalized products as part of their company project. Proceeds from these sales benefit scholarships and programming at The Chamber Foundation. 

The Track 2 students (11^th grade) have begun learning to create resumes and cover letters in preparation for Interview Night on January 9. At this event, students will undergo mock interviews with local professionals in the Chamber’s network and receive feedback on their interview skills. The Track 2 students are also getting ready to embark on their 20-hour internships, which they will complete at a local company that speaks to their career goals. If you would like to volunteer as a mock interviewer on January 9 or host a Youth Leadership intern at your business, please reach out to me by December 1, 2023. 

The Leadership Dutchess program has 36 fantastic individuals in its ranks for 2024. Leadership Dutchess is the signature program of The Chamber Foundation, Inc., and is dedicated to educating citizens to serve in leadership roles within our community. This program fosters the development of a group of professionals who grow and learn together over a nine-month period. The class had its overnight kickoff session on October 5 and 6 at Mariapolis Luminosa, focusing on Leadership in Action, Team Building, and Project Management. The Class of 2024 has already laid important groundwork for their annual fundraising project – stay tuned for more details about this exciting event in Spring 2024.  

The Foundation’s third leadership program, Executive Leadership, begins in January 2024. We are taking applications for the class of 2024 as we speak, due December 1. The Executive Leadership Program is designed for mid to senior-level managers, nonprofit administrators, and entrepreneurs seeking advanced leadership and communications skills to move their careers and organizations forward. Executive directors, sole proprietors, and high-potential career managers who are being developed for senior roles will find value in this program. To apply for this program, visit https://www.dcrcoc.org/executive-leadership-program
To learn more about how you can get involved with Youth Leadership, Leadership Dutchess, or Executive Leadership, please reach out to me at laura@chamberfdn.org.