Carson City Leadership Class Now Taking Applications for 2013

Carson City Leadership Institute is one of the premier programs operated by the Carson City Area Chamber of Commerce. The first class graduated in 1989 and the program has been a success ever since. When looking through a roster of graduates, you will see familiar names, many of whom have gone on to public office or taken jobs that keep them in the public eye.

The program is designed to provide you with a detailed understanding of the inner workings of the various public and private elements that make Carson City unique. The sessions are conducted by experienced community and state leaders and are held at a variety of locations designed to expose the participants to the many facilities and resources available in the Carson City area.

Leadership is 72 hours of learning, camaraderie, and fun. It offers an intimate look at the city we call home. Over 325 people have graduated from this great experience.

Your commitment as a program participant is to attend all the sessions during this eight-month series of seminars. Each participant is required to attend the opening 2-day retreat with mandatory overnight in January plus the 7 full-day seminars, the second Thursday of each month, through September and the Graduation Ceremony. An unexcused absence may be cause for dismissal from the program. In addition, the participants will participate in a community class project.

The program cost is $975 per participant ($1250 for Non-Chamber members), which includes tuition, materials, meals, transportation, room and board at the overnight retreat, the graduation ceremony and plaque. Application must be submitted with a $250 deposit and received at the Carson City Chamber of Commerce no later than 4:30 p.m., Friday, October 26th, 2012. Full tuition is due by Friday, December 14, 2012.

We know budgets are tight and the norm for planning ahead has become considerably shorter; however, we need to know whether you will be joining us this year for yet another great Leadership Institute put together by your Chamber. The future of Carson City will be in the hands of the leaders who graduate from this program. We hope you decide to participate.

For more information on this program contact the Chamber Office (775) 882-1565 or manager@carsoncitychamber.com

The following letter from current Carson City Leadership Institute Chair Stacy Woodbury explains the Leadership Institute experience.

Having moved to Carson City in 1996, I wasn’t sure what I would learn when I enrolled in the Leadership Class of 2010. One of the most remarkable things about the Leadership program is that regardless of how long we, as individuals, have lived in Carson, the recurring theme I have heard from participants in my three years of association with the program is “I had no idea.”
Unlike the federal government, whose largest spending is for Medicare and Social Security, and state government, whose biggest expenditure is for K-12 education, more than 50 percent of our Carson City government budget is dedicated to public safety – supporting our sheriff and firefighting personnel. I had no idea.
F.I.S.H. It’s more than just a thrift store. I had no idea.
Do you know how many parks we have in Carson City? I had no idea.
From a ride along with Sergeant Jason Bueno and lunch courtesy of the Carson City jail to touring a manufacturing plant that was just down the street from where I live and work. I had no idea.
Carson City is truly more than meets the eye. We are a diverse community with many industries and opportunities. Take eight months of your life and see what you can learn about our city. You will develop a deeper appreciation for the community where you have chosen to live, learn and play.
Carson City Leadership 2013. I have an idea you’ll be glad you did.

Stacy Woodbury, Chairman
Leadership Advisory Committee
Carson City Leadership Class of 2010

Go here for the application. See below for the 2013 session dates.

— Ronni Hannaman is the executive director of the Carson City Area Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at (775) 882-1565 or director@carsoncitychamber.com.