Leadership McLean County

Develop and cultivate your skills, awareness, and engagement through intentional learning experiences for the betterment of McLean County.

Here’s what LMC can do for you:

Develop informed, vigorous citizen leadership skills capable of understanding community problems, fact-finding, analyzing and influencing the decisions based on these facts.
Create awareness of the community by utilizing talents of committed citizens to work with responsible voluntary positions with non-profit, civic and citizen organizations within the community.
Provide you with a broad understanding of public issues, workings of state and local government, civic challenges facing all of us and the role the community play in problem-solving.

Classes tentatively take place every other Friday from September through April covering a variety of topics & skill development, both in the classroom and through “hands-on” experiences. Class members also participate on a "Leaders On Loan Task Force Project" team to create implementable solutions to a community issue.

Leadership McLean county does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or national origin in any of its activities.

Thank you for your interest in Leadership McLean County!

We are no longer accepting applications for the Class of 2024.

This application detail form provides you an overview of the on-line application questions.

Applications MUST BE submitted through the online application form on the Wufoo platform. Unfortunately, the platform does not allow you to save and return to the information once started. Therefore, we are providing you with the questions on this application detail form so you can be prepared with your answers before you start the online application.

Attachments for the applications: The following items will need to be attached to the online application. Please make sure to have a completed and updated copy of your resume before starting your application.

APPLICATION COMPONENTS:

General Questions: The online application will ask you to provide general information such as your name, contact information, if you have ever completed another leadership program, the company / organization you work for, start date with the company, your title, and your supervisor’s name and contact information. You will also need to provide the type of organization you work for and the industry you represent.

Resume: The online application does require you to attach and updated version of your resume that will be shared with the Review Committee.

Interest Assessment: The online application will ask you on a Likert Scale multiple choice questions as to “What are your interests in applying for Leadership McLean County?”

Program Format: The online application will ask you note your preferred format for the program if the options were made available. The intent of this questions is to determine if there is a format that would negate you from participating in LMC.

Referral Program: LMC loves our Alumni, so we always ask who referred you to the program and if that person who referred you is an LMC Alumni.

Essay Question: The application consists of one essay question. Essay is limited to 300 words. The essay question is as follows:

What specific skills would you like to focus on during your McLean County Leadership experience to help you achieve your goals and aspirations?

Class of 2024 Scholarship Application: Deadline to apply for scholarships is July 15, 2023. Please reach out to the Ashley Strupek at ashley@mcleancochamber.org with any questions.

Statement of Commitment: The application does have a statement of commitment that each applicant must review, acknowledge, and certify. The language for this is provided below.

As Leadership McLean County is a cooperative effort to share experiences, knowledge and insight into the dynamic community of McLean County, participants are expected to attend all segments of every program session. One individual’s failure to attend diminishes the experiences for the remaining members of the program. Participation and attendance are the cornerstones of a successful program. Attendees are expected to be on time and attend the entire program each day.

Attendance is mandatory for all sessions. Unless otherwise stated, all programs will begin no earlier than 7:30am and end no later than 5:00pm. All class members must notify Chamber Staff in advance if they are unable to attend a specific Day Session in its’ entirety. A class participant’s persistent absenteeism will be reviewed and a determination regarding their continuation in the program will be made per the attendance policy. Non-participation in group projects and other outside activities will also be reviewed and could also jeopardize a class member’s graduation.

If accepted in the program, you and/or your organization will be obligated for the full tuition amount of $1,500 ($1,750 for non-chamber members), which covers all costs associated with the program, which include – but are not limited to - meals, refreshments, buses, materials, and mailings.

Self-Certification Language on the Application:

I have reviewed and understand the mission and program requirements of Leadership McLean County. If selected, I will devote the required time and pay my full tuition by August 2, 2023. If I am unable to comply with the requirements, I will voluntarily withdraw from the program. I understand that, in interest of the class experience for all participants, any participant may be removed from the class if, in the opinion of the Leadership McLean County Steering Committee, a participant’s conduct is not conducive to the work of the group.

Supervisor Certification Language on the Application:

I certify that I have full support to participate in the Leadership McLean County, Class of 2024 from my employer/supervisor/board chairperson. And they are aware of the time commitment necessary and the financial obligation.

Please contact Ashley Strupek at ashley@mcleancochamber.org if you have any questions regarding Leadership McLean County or the application process.

Please note that acceptance into Leadership McLean County is a two-part process: 1) the completion of the online application and 2) a subsequent interview. The online application will be reviewed and scored and accounts for 50% of the overall score that determines acceptance into the LMC program. Applicants will be contacted after July 1 regarding setting up an LMC Interview for the program.

Thank you for your interest in applying for the 2023-2024 Leaders on Loan (LOL) Program! The LOL program is part of Leadership McLean County and allows participants & businesses to partner, learn, & generate ideas from another at minimal to no risk.

Leaders on Loan provides a skilled task force to develop a specific program or accomplish a project that impacts McLean County. All members in good standing of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce are eligible to apply.

Applications for Class of 2024 projects are due August 14, 2023.

Please be sure to read through all instructions in this document before completing the online application.

Leaders on Loan Proposed Projects must:

Identify a specific project or program for the organization that is applying.
Have a well-defined project scope, with clearly stated deliverables that can be completed over the course of the program.
Articulate how this project will address an unmet need for both the organization applying and for McLean County in general.
Be sustainable beyond the work on the volunteer Leaders on Loan working group.
Identify the application category for which you are applying:
- Technology Support
- Marketing and Development
- Training and Human Services
- Innovator's Category

Application Process:

Develop a strong application with project description and deliverables identified.
Assign a project manager from your organization.
Submit application by designated due of Monday, August 14, 2023.
Semi-Finalist will interview with LMC Steering Committee Members about proposed project. Interviews will occur in August.
If application is approved, notification of application approval will be sent by end of August.

Selection process:

Semi-finalists will interview with LMC committee.
5-6 projects will be chosen for the Leaders on Loan program

Project Process:

Projects and Leaders on Loan Working Groups will be announced to the LMC Class in September at the Opening Retreat.
The designated Project Manager will communicate with the Leaders on Loan project working group on a regular basis and serve as the point of contact for the organization.
Project Managers will be required to meet with the working group during the designated LMC events:
- TBD

Leaders on Loan Program Chairs for the LMC Class of 2024 are Leslie Garrett and Brandon Long. The Program Chairs will lead the application and selection process and will manage the project logistics for the LMC Class.

No longer accepting applications for the class of 2024.

For general questions regarding Leaders on Loan, please contact Ashley Strupek at ashley@mcleancochamber.org.