The objective of Leadership Wilmington is to educate, challenge and motivate leaders and future leaders to utilize their leadership skills to work for the betterment of our community.

There are five components that will be stressed throughout the program. They are:

· Leadership skills/styles;
· Community issues and challenges;
· Dynamics of regional social and economic change;
· Diversity; and
· Class project.

The ten-month program consists of eight all-day sessions, an orientation social, a two-day retreat to begin the program, Hands On Wilmington, and a graduation ceremony.The all-day sessions occur once a month from September through April.To complete the program successfully, each class member is expected to participate in the orientation/social, retreat, all monthly program sessions, Hands On Wilmington and graduation. Participants must make a serious commitment to the program and employers must agree in advance to grant participants time off from their duties to attend all scheduled activities.

The application deadline for the 2009 Class of Leadership Wilmington is July 18th.Participants will be sought from corporate, business, education, professional, non-profit and governmental sectors.The Chamber Foundation Board will select a minimum of 30 participants for the class which will reflect the diversity of our community.During the selection process, the Board will review each candidate's leadership potential, community involvement and accomplishments.

The tuition per participant is $1,200. Tuition covers all expenses for the program.  An application fee of $25.00 must accompany each application.  Application fee is non-refundable, however, it will be applied towards tuition if application is accepted.

Click here for an application.

Note:   Some candidates may need financial assistance to enroll in Leadership Wilmington. For scholarship information, contact Janice Milligan at 910-762-2611 ext. 213.

Schedule for Leadership Wilmington Class of 2009

Session locations to be announced

Orientation/Social	August 19, 2008
Class Retreat	September 4-5, 2008
Session One:  Arts and Culture	September 23, 2008
Session Two:  Environment	October 21, 2008
Session Three:Education	November 18, 2008
Session Four:  Human Services	December 16, 2008
Class Retreat Session Five:  Infrastructure	January 15-16, 2009 January 20, 2009
Session Six: Diversity	February 10, 2009
Session Seven: Growth & Development	March 10, 2009
Session Eight: Politics & Government	April 7, 2009
Hands On Wilmington	April 25, 2009

Graduation

May 18, 2009

Please note: The Orientation/Social on August 19, 2008 will encompass the afternoon and early evening.  The September retreat will encompass two full days and will require an overnight stay.  All other sessions will encompass one full day, beginning at 8:00 am and ending at 5:00 pm.  In addition, Session Eight, will involve an evening session of the Wilmington City Council.