Community Leadership School

The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School (CLS) unites 42 adults around a single goal: to motivate and inspire its participants to a higher level of community awareness and involvement. In its 37th year, CLS has become the trusted program for transforming talented people into true community leaders.

Over 1,300 of our community's leaders have graduated from CLS. They represent every walk of life in the Peoria Metro Area. The common thread for all – they have the knowledge, resources and network of fellow graduates to make Peoria Metro a healthy, vibrant community.

More Information about CLS

The mission of Community Leadership School is to strengthen the Peoria area by offering its participants education on the issues and challenges facing our community. To accomplish its mission, the program facilitates a learning process by putting motivated individuals together to gain a greater community knowledge and awareness. Providing valuable exposure to contacts within our community, CLS is designed to broaden leadership skills, promote community involvement and action, and most importantly, harness and shape the intellectual capital of Peoria’s leaders.

The CLS committee believes that this class should be seen as a right of passage - a staple in the Peoria business community. This program is not just for the young professional. It is for anyone who is interested in positioning themselves properly in this community today and most especially as we head towards economic recovery.

The class will begin in January and continue to meet at various times until the graduation on in March. During these weeks, participants will hear a first-hand, unfiltered perspective from area business, government and civic leaders who will speak candidly about their leadership experience in political, social, cultural, economic and healthcare issues. There are no cameras or press present, allowing an intimate setting for full engagement between the class participants and the key note speakers. Each two hour class session presents participants the opportunity to sharpen not only their leadership skills, but also their internal and external perspectives on business, community and relationships. In addition to the class sessions, each participant will complete a DISC behavioral assessment to inventory their preferred personal behavioral style as well as a Values assessment to understand which values drive their actions and decisions.

Selection Process and Criteria

1. Applicants must have full cooperation and sponsorship from their employers and associations.

2. Applicants must possess a demonstrated ability to achieve personal goals, a ready availability of time and resources to devote to community service and a personal commitment to the Greater Peoria area.

3. Participants are expected to attend all CLS weekly classes, attend the orientation reception and graduate dinner, participate in class projects, attend as many field trips as possible.

Tuition - $1200 for Chamber members and $1500 for non members. Please do not send payment with application.

If you are interested in learning more or signing up for the 2013 Community Leadership School and the 2013 schedule, please contact Tessa Bonello at tbonello@chamber.h-p.org.

Applications Due Nov. 30, 2012. Please submit your application ASAP.

Statement of Commitment:

Before application, each candidate must review and understand the mission, program requirements, selection process and the participant commitment of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School. If selected, the candidate must devote the required time and pay the full tuition prior to the program orientation session. If unable to comply with the requirements, the candidate will voluntarily withdraw from the program. In the best interest of the class experience for all participants, any participant may be removed from the class if, in the opinion of the Community Leadership School Steering Committee, a participant's conduct is not conducive to the work of the group. The candidate must also further understand that tuition is not refundable.

Each applicant's work supervisor must certify that the candidate has his or her full support to participate in The Peoria Area Chamber Community Leadership School, Class of 2013. The supervisor must also be aware of the time commitment necessary, the financial obligations, and must recommend the candidate for acceptance into the program. By filling out the application form, you are agreeing to the Community Leadership School Statement of Commitment.