Class of 2025 Leadership Hope-Hempstead County deadline December 20

Class of 2025 Leadership Hope-Hempstead County Participant Application

What is Leadership Hope-Hempstead County?
Leadership Hope-Hempstead County is an innovative leadership training and community awareness program. The program is designed to identify and motivate emerging leaders, and to develop their potential for community leadership roles by exposing them to the opportunities, realities, and challenges of our community. It is a 7-session program held over an 8-month period.

Sessions are strategically designed to provide participants with an increased knowledge and insight into the many functions and realities of life in our community. Session formats vary, but include such things as lively panel discussions, interesting field trips, knowledgeable speakers, and group interaction.

Who participates?
Individuals who have a genuine interest in community leadership and who desire to increase their own levels of involvement in community leadership roles are encouraged to apply. Applicants must have the support and commitment to attend all sessions, meetings, volunteer opportunities, and graduation. A leadership applicant must be a member of the Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce or an employee of a chamber member.

Objectives:
⦁ Provide leadership development training and help participants develop an understanding of their leadership style.
⦁ Provide valuable and interesting information about Hope and Hempstead County.
⦁ Create unique opportunities for dialogue between participants and community leaders.
⦁ Stimulate and increase the level of commitment and participation in the community.
⦁ Build solid relationships among class members for working together on past, present, and future community projects.

Attendance Polity:
Applicants are expected to attend all 7 full day sessions, including a trip to Little Rock. These sessions are aimed for the fourth Thursday of each month, February through graduation in September, but this is subject to change. There will also be required meetings to attend and mandatory volunteer opportunities. Attendance at all program days is mandatory. Participants are expected to attend every scheduled session in full and actively engage in all activities and discussions. Absences will only be permitted under exceptional circumstances and must be pre-approved by the program director. To request an absence, participants must submit a written request to the director explaining the reason for the absence. Approval is at the sole discretion of the program director and will be granted only in cases of unavoidable circumstances. Please note that any absence, whether approved or unapproved, may result in removal from the program. Participants removed from the program due to absences will not be eligible for a refund of any fees paid. We appreciate your commitment to the Leadership Hope-Hempstead County program and expect full participation to ensure the success of both the individual and the group.

2025 Leadership Hope-Hempstead County Program Dates (subject to change):
⦁ February 27th, 2025
⦁ March 27th, 2025
⦁ April 24th, 2025
⦁ May 22nd, 2025
⦁ June 26th, 2025
⦁ July 24th, 2025
⦁ August 28th, 2025
⦁ September 25th, 2025 (Graduation)
If you cannot fully commit this year, please consider applying in the future.

Class Project:
As a requirement for Leadership Hope-Hempstead County, class members must develop and implement a class project that will be of benefit to some segment of our community. The class will determine and develop a set of goals for achieving and funding this project.

How it works:
Leadership Hope-Hempstead County is governed by the Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce. Applications will be reviewed and once accepted the applicant will be notified. The Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce will invoice the applicant/employer for the program fee of $400.00. We encourage employers to consider assisting with or supplying payment for this fee.

Waiver of Liability, Disclaimer & Permission:
I hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless the Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce and its employees, volunteers and other representatives or affiliates from and against all claims arising out of or relating to illness, physical injury, death, or damages that may result to said individual while participating in a Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce program or event. I give my permission for free use of my name and picture for promotion purposes.

Applicant’s Agreement:
If selected as a participant, I understand the purpose of the Leadership Hope-Hempstead County program and its attendance requirements. I understand that I am required to fully engage in all activities and discussions during the program. I understand that if I fail to meet any program obligations, I may be asked to withdraw or may not graduate with my class. If for any reason the participant is removed from the program, no refund in amount will be issued. I realize that completion of this form does not guarantee my acceptance as a participant.

All graduates of Leadership Hope-Hempstead County will be required to plan and facilitate portions of the following year’s Leadership Hope-Hempstead County class’s program and sessions.

I understand as an applicant and employer that if accepted, I will be committing to approximately 7 full days, lunch hours, with addition to approximately 7 after business hours.

Applicant’s Signature _______________________________________ Date: _________________

Employer’s Agreement
Signature signifies an agreement for applicant to participate in Leadership Hope-Hempstead County.

Employer’s Signature _______________________________________ Date: _________________

Application Process: Complete the application, including required signatures.
Deadline to apply: December 20th, 2024.
Mail completed application to:
Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce
Attn: Leadership Hope-Hempstead County
PO Box 250, Hope, AR 71802

We look forward to your application. Please direct any questions to:
Christy Burns (870)777-3640, hopechamberdirector@gmail.com

Applicant’s Information (please print):

First and Last Name: ___________________________ Preferred for Nametag: ______________________

Employer: ________________________________________ Job Title: _____________________________

Business Address: ______________________________________ Business Phone: ___________________

Home Address: _________________________________ Cell Phone: ______________________________

Years at current employer: _________ (individual or employer must be a chamber member in good standing)
Years residing in Hope/Hempstead County: ________

Organizations and Activities:
Please list any organizations and/or committees you have been a member of in the past five years.
Organization Dates Position Held
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The following information can be answered in the space provided or typed and included separately.
What personal and professional qualities would you contribute to Leadership Hope-Hempstead County?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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What do you hope to gain from your experience as a member of Leadership Hope-Hempstead County?
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As a community member, what do you consider your greatest responsibility to your community?
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