General Information

PURPOSE: Founded in 1975 by the Greater Dallas Chamber, Leadership Dallas is a leadership development program aimed at providing our city with an ongoing source of diverse leaders who are prepared and committed to serve as catalysts and sustainers of positive change for the quality of life in the Greater Dallas area.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: 1) Identify and motivate potential community leaders of diverse backgrounds 2) Provide an outstanding educational experience emphasizing critical social and community issues 3) Open a dialogue among emerging and current community leaders 4) Challenge participants to apply their talents throughout the community.

THE PROGRAM: Each year, up to 55 individuals are selected to participate in a ten-month educational program that consists of a two-day retreat, nine monthly day-long sessions, monthly preliminary assignments, and a class project. Participants receive in-depth exposure to the critical issues facing the community through lectures, discussion groups, on-site visits, simulations, and other leadership development activities. Issues to be addressed during the year include human services, government & politics, economic development, diversity, health care, criminal justice, education, and arts & culture. The location and format of each session is different. The program enables participants to develop their leadership capacities, build strong relationships and prepare themselves for the challenges of the years to come.

BENEFITS: Program participants will grow in awareness and understanding of the challenges and issues facing our community. They will also develop valuable contacts and communication networks within the community. Most importantly, Leadership Dallas builds confidence and motivation to become actively involved in promoting positive change for the Greater Dallas area.

Employers and sponsoring organizations will see increased leadership and problem solving skills in their employee. Leadership Dallas allows doors to be opened for greater corporate/organizational community involvement and visibility, and helps identify where strategic alliances might be forged. It will create additional opportunities to influence positive change and impact quality of life in the community.

The community will experience immediate benefit from increased involvement on the part of the participants, and will reap future benefits from the collective commitment to effective leadership by the graduates of Leadership Dallas.

SELECTION: When the 55 participants are selected each year, it is with an eye toward diversity, to encourage a collaboration of ideas and viewpoints. The program is not a starting point, but rather a professional development opportunity for men and women who are both acknowledged and aspiring leaders.

All participants should demonstrate: -A passion for the people and future of our city, and a personal commitment to help improve the quality of life in Dallas -A demonstrated commitment to the community through past and current activities -A demonstrated capacity for leadership within their own organizations through significant achievements -An interest in enhancing their leadership capabilities to meet the demands of the 21st century -A willingness to commit the time and energy necessary to complete the program requirements, which requires the full support of their organizations -A commitment to supporting the continuation of leadership and trustee development in our city

The Leadership Dallas Selection Committee reviews every completed application form. They seek to identify those who are most likely to utilize their leadership abilities for the long-term benefit of our city. The committee seeks diversity in the class make-up (age, ethnicity, gender and socio-economic factors are all considerations.) In July of 2007, the Leadership Dallas class of 2008 will be announced.

It is an honor to be invited to participate in Leadership Dallas. With so many qualified candidates from which to choose, the selection of each year's class presents a difficult challenge. Many graduates of the program are not selected the first year they apply. Candidates who are not chosen are encouraged to apply again.

TIME COMMITMENT: Commitment to participating in Leadership Dallas centers on involvement. Those who choose to apply should realize the significant time commitment involved. Participation involves an overnight Orientation Retreat in September (class of 2008 retreat is scheduled for September 13-14, 2007), one full-day (8 hours) session per month from October to June, preliminary assignments for each of the sessions, a class project, and Curriculum Committee Meetings. Applicants must be able to fulfill program attendance requirements in order to graduate. The Orientation Retreat in September is mandatory. No more than 16 hours may be missed at subsequent sessions, held one Friday of each month beginning in October and continuing through June, without dismissal from the program.

2007-2008 Calendar

Welcome Reception: August 2007

Orientation Retreat: September 20 & 21 - Overnight (mandatory)

Class Days: One Friday per month from October 2007 – June 2008

October 5th, November 2nd, December 7th, January 11th, February 1st, March 7th, April 4th, May 2nd, June 6th

Graduation: June 6 or 7, 2008

TUITION: The tuition fee for Leadership Dallas is $3,000 for Chamber members or $4,500 for non-Chamber members, and is due Wednesday, August 15, 2007. Tuition is non-refundable after September 3, 2007. Late payment forfeits your candidacy. It will be offered to the first qualified alternate. The tuition fee covers the cost of all program material, group transportation, hotel stay, facilities and meals. The employer/sponsor pays $2,700 if a Chamber member or $4,200 if a non-Chamber member, with the remaining $300 paid by the participant as a personal commitment to the program.

SCHOLARSHIPS: Financial assistance is available to a limited number of participants who may not otherwise be able to participate. Partial scholarship funds are available but are limited. Scholarships are awarded solely on the basis of documented financial need and availability of scholarship dollars. Proof of financial need may be requested. Request for financial assistance does not affect consideration for selection.

Barry Barker Scholarship: Barry was a graduate of the first Leadership Dallas class, served as president of the Leadership Dallas Alumni Association, chaired the curriculum committee and was a respected resource for many years. The Barry Barker Scholarship Fund will help future leaders of Dallas with their Leadership Dallas tuition.

The Beverly Tobian Young Woman Leadership Scholarship: Beverly has spent much of her life giving back to the community. She served on the first city appointed commission on senior affairs, is a board member of Senior Source, the former president of Women’s Council of Dallas County and more. The Beverly Tobian Young Woman Leadership Scholarship will assist the next generation of women leaders.

Bob James Architectural Scholarship: The Bob James Architectural Scholarship aims to bring the architectural community into the greater Dallas business community. The recipient of the scholarship must be a certified architect with an interest in impacting the community. The scholarship is in memory of the civic example set by Bob James, AIA.

The Dallas Hispanic 100 Scholarship: The Dallas Hispanic 100 is a professional Hispanic women's leadership organization serving as a catalyst of Hispanic women in employment, procurement, and social issues. The H100 scholarship will assist Hispanic women accepted into Leadership Dallas with their tuition.

EXPECTATIONS: Graduation from the class does not signify an end but represents the beginning of a lifetime of opportunity as a member of the Leadership Dallas alumni network. An active alumni organization provides a continuing forum for graduates and a mechanism for maintaining contacts. It is expected that alumni, as trustees of our community, will go forth and participate in constructive community change. They are also encouraged to serve on committees, boards, and organizations throughout the city. Alumni have the responsibility to ensure the perpetuation of leadership in the city; therefore, it is expected that they will support the work of Leadership Dallas. Critical to the organization's continued success is the support from past participants in program guidance, financial contributions, and marketing the program to future participants.

Application Deadline: No later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 24, 2007

Annual Leadership Luncheon
“100 Years of Leadership: The Secret of Blue Bell Ice Cream”

Leadership Lunch September 12 featuring Mark Brewer Mark Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Community Foundation of Central Florida, Inc., will discuss the economic power and influence of the nonprofit sector on the community’s quality of life. Find out how five living generations of people are building social capital in new community paradigms across the economic sectors. Whether you are a business leader, nonprofit executive, volunteer leader, or political leader, you won’t want to miss this leadership primer!