Leadership Gainesville (LG) is a year-long community leadership program of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce designed to identify, educate and develop leadership skills. Each year, approximately 40 individuals are selected to participate following completion of a competitive application process. The program’s principal goal is to build a resource of community leadership on a planned, continuing basis. Leadership Gainesville has four specific objectives: • Identify community leaders • Expand the leadership potential of participants by increasing their knowledge of the Gainesville/Alachua County area • Improve communications between present and future leaders • Provide a channel for those not presently in leadership roles to gain access to positions of community leadership in an informed and responsible manner Each session examines some of the key themes and issues affecting our community.
The Leadership Gainesville (LG) program provides future leaders the opportunity to develop leadership skills by networking with individuals in the community that represent business, law, religion, civic groups, the arts, minority organizations, education, health care, government, human services and volunteer organizations.
Nominations are sought and encouraged from all segments of our community. Individuals can nominate themselves or those that they feel best exemplify the LG program philosophy and goals. Participants are selected from applications made to the selection committee. Participants are selected based on merits through a highly competitive admissions process. LEADERSHIP GAINESVILLE is primarily a course for emerging leaders, but it is not a starting point. Prior to joining the LG program, participants are expected to have established careers, demonstrated talent and leadership qualities, and participated in community activities.
• Demonstrate personal commitment to serving the community, including evidence of past community activities • Show evident potential for significant role in the community in the future • Give probability of long-term residence in the Gainesville/Alachua County area • Have full support from their sponsoring organization or business and a willingness to commit the time and energy necessary to complete the program.
• The selection committee is made up of past graduates of Leadership Gainesville. The names of committee members are kept confidential in order to make the selection process as objective as possible. • The number of participants in each LG class is limited; applicants not selected are strongly encouraged to reapply in subsequent years. • The selection committee reviews and rates each applicant. Applicants are then listed in order of numerical value. • It is the responsibility of the selection committee to assure diversity. For instance, if the top 40 nominees indicated more women than men or more of one profession than another (i.e. more engineers than financial/bankers, etc.) the selection committee is responsible for balancing group dynamics. • All information from the meetings is confidential.
Aug 15*
Opening Night 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Aug 16*
Class Retreat at the Chamber7:30am – 5:00pm
Aug 19*
Community Tour7:30am – 5:00pm
Sept 9
Social Services8:00am-5:00pm
October 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10
Education ShadowsVarious times and locations
Oct 14
Education 8:00am – 5:00pm
Nov 11
Quality of Life8:00am – 5:00pm
Dec 9
Local Government8:00am – 5:00pm
Jan 8,9 or 10
Law Enforcement & Fire Rescue Ride-A-LongVarious times and locations
Jan 13
Criminal Justice8:00am – 5:00pm
Feb 10
Economic Development8:00am – 5:00pm
March 2,3,4,5 or 6
Medical ShadowsVarious times and locations
March 10
Medical8:00am – 5:00pm
April 14
State Government/Tallahassee7:00am – 7:00pm
May 12
Agriculture Tour7:45am – 5:00pm
May 19*
Final Session8:00am – 5:00pm
May 20*
Graduation