Community Leadership Program Application - Class of 2027

Fostering Leadership Potential in our Community

CLP Class of 2026-27 Application
Application Submission Deadline: July 10, 2026
Please be prepared to upload a letter of recommendation from your employer or supervisor before submitting this application.

Purpose: To foster leadership potential in the community to ensure continued growth and development in our region.

Objectives:
Encourage participants to develop skills and access resources needed to provide leadership to address community needs.
Enhance understanding of the complex issues facing Clarke and Frederick Counties and the City of Winchester through:
-Educational programs which broaden knowledge of the area and critical issues affecting the region.
-Exposure to local government, education systems, businesses and non-profit organizations.
-Introductions to community leaders and local decision makers.

Attendance: Mandatory attendance at each monthly session is strictly monitored and enforced. Sessions are typically the third Friday of every month and held from 8 am-5 pm. (See website for session dates.) Participants may miss one session and still be a program completer. If a second absence occurs, students must make up that session in the following calendar year. Because of the required time commitment, the support of the participant’s employer is essential. Please review dates for potential personal or professional conflicts before submitting your application.

Orientation: A program orientation session will be held on Friday, August 21 at 4 pm.

Tuition: The tuition for the 2026-27 program year is $875 for Chamber members, $1,075 for non-members. A $25 non-refundable administration fee is included in the cost and required with the completed application. Tuition may be paid by either the participant or the employer. Limited scholarships may be available and are awarded based on need. See Scholarship Request Form Button under the Application Form Button.

Legal Name

First Name *

Last Name *

Middle Name *

Please also provide your middle name, which is often required for background checks or clearance prior to certain tours or programming.

Preferred Name/ Nickname: *

Applicant business/professional email address: *

Please enter email address

Birthdate: *

Format: M/d/yyyy

Birthdate is often required for pre-screening for entry to certain facilities.

Business Name *

Business Address

Address Line 1 *

Address Line 2

City *

Zip/Postal Code *

Business Phone *

Title or Position *

Immediate Supervisor *

Immediate Supervisor Position *

Immediate Supervisor Email *

Number of years working in City of Winchester/Clarke County/Frederick County: *

Personal Information

This information is for Top of Virginia Regional Chamber internal use only.

Home Address

Address Line 1 *

Address Line 2

City *

Zip/Postal Code *

Applicant Personal Email Address: *

Number of years living in the City of Winchester, Clarke County, Frederick County or surrounding region: *

Education

School #1

School Name *

School Location *

Dates Attended *

Degree *

Major *

School #2

School Name

School Location

Dates Attended

Degree

Major

Community/Professional Involvement

Please list in order of importance to you any community, civic, professional, business, religious, athletic, social, and any other organizations of which you have been a member. *

What did you accomplish from your involvement? *

If you have not been unable to be active in community affairs, what is the reason? *

What community activities, other than those you have listed, would you be interested in learning more about or participating in? *

In your opinion, what are two significant issues facing Winchester-Clarke County-Frederick County? Please explain. *

Why do you want to participate in the Community Leadership Program? *

Why do you think you should be selected to participate in the Community Leadership Program? *

Dietary Restrictions: Please make us aware of food allergies or sensitivities for meal planning if selected to participate. *

Accommodations: Please make us aware of any physical limitations or accommodations that may benefit your participation if selected. *

Reference

Please list one reference who is knowledgeable about your leadership performance and potential and submit their letter here.

Upload your letter of recommendation. *

Name of Reference

First Name *

Last Name *

Reference phone or email contact information *

Financial Commitment *

Employer/Organization will fund Individual will fund Scholarship desired (Please complete a Request for Scholarship form as well)

Funding may be provided by the employer/organization, individual participant, or scholarship financial assistance. A non-refundable $25.00 application fee is required with the application (an invoice will be sent to you). The balance is due upon acceptance to the program. Please check any that apply.

CLP Attendance Policy

Completion of the program will be determined by presence and participation in the sessions. To ensure that participants derive the greatest benefit from the program, attendance is mandatory. The attendance policy allows only one (1) full day absence for any reason in order to graduate from the program. Tardiness, leaving early and half days missed will count toward missed time. A minimum of four hours attendance is required to receive half day credit for any session. There is no opportunity to make up sessions during the current program year. If a participant misses a second session, they may complete the current year’s program and may make up the missed session the following year in order to fulfill the requirements for completion of the program. No additional sessions may be missed beyond this.

To graduate from the Community Leadership Program, the participant is required to comply with the program attendance policy. I understand the stated commitment and agree to comply. Please type your name and the date to agree to the attendance policy. *

Community Leadership Program Application - Class of 2027

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