"Strengthening Leadership, Building Community"
Interested in Applying Next Year?
Applications for the Class of 2025 are now closed. Fill in the expression of interest form below to be added to a notification list when they open again – typically January to April every year.
Program Overview
Leadership Champlain is a professional development and community engagement program of the Lake Champlain Chamber with a mission to foster growth and leadership in professionals who will serve our community now and in the future.
Leadership Champlain consists of retreats, full-day seminars, service projects, discussion groups and community tours from September to June. Participants meet monthly to explore critical community issues, examine themselves as leaders, and build relationships of trust and understanding.
The program objectives are to equip its participants with the knowledge and skills to become civically engaged; to facilitate discussion around a wide breadth of topics amongst a diversity of perspectives; and to engage in reflective and collaborative activities surrounding these topics.
Graduates of the program will leave steeped in knowledge about the biggest issues our community faces, inspired to get involved where they are interested, and connected to the right leaders to make a change.
Each day of Leadership Champlain is focused on a different sector. Over the course of the class year, topics such as Human Services, Business and Economy, Government and Politics, Public Safety and Justice, Education, Healthcare, Energy and Environment, and Arts and Culture will be explored by the cohort.
Ideal Applicant
- Holds a position of or has potential for leadership in their employment or volunteer organization;
- Demonstrates a strong interest in and commitment to the community;
- Aspires to utilize leadership skills through service for the long-term benefit of the community;
- Has obvious potential for growing personally and impacting change;
- Is willing to commit the time and energy necessary to complete the program.
Selection Process
The Leadership Champlain Selection Committee is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and seeks to accept a diverse class representative of our community.
Leadership Champlain is committed to the recruitment and selection of applicants without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, place of birth, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, gender identity or expression, or any other factor or characteristic protected by law.
Leadership Champlain is also committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Director of Workforce and Education, Alex Bunten.
Program Schedule
After the two day Opening Retreat, Seminar Days are typically set for the second Tuesday of every month from October to June.
Program dates for the Class of 2025 are:
Opening Retreat
Sept. 19-20, 2024 (required two-full days of programming and overnight stay)
Seminar Days
Human Services – Oct. 8
Government and Politics – Nov. 12
Business and Economy – Dec. 10
Public Safety and Justice – Jan. 14
Education – Feb. 11
Healthcare – March 11
Energy and Environment – April 8
Arts and Culture – May 13
Graduation – June 10
Commitment
All members of the cohort must be able to attend eight of the nine program days and the mandatory two-day overnight retreat in September.
All members of the cohort must be able to commit to 5-10 hours of additional work per month throughout the program. This time will be spent on two separate group projects and any necessary pre-reading that is distributed prior to program days.
Members of the cohort should expect to be in Leadership Champlain sessions from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on the seminar days.
Tuition & Fees
If you applied last year and were not accepted, we encourage you to apply again. Your application fee will be waived and you will receive an extra point in the assessment process.
Class of 2025 Tuition for Chamber Members: $2,400
Class of 2025 Tuition for Non-Members: $3,100
Candidates will be notified of acceptance or non-acceptance by the end of June.
If you have any questions, please contact Alex Bunten, Director of Workforce and Education, [email protected], 802-863-3489, ext 201
Past Sponsors
