Leadership Omaha

Now entering its 35th year, Leadership Omaha is a program of the Greater Omaha Chamber. The mission of the program is to develop effective community leaders who will strengthen and transform the community. Tuition for the program is $2100. Tuition assistance is available. Click here for the online application. The application is due by May 11. All applicants will be notified of their status by July 2.

Lynda Shafer, manager of leadership development for the Greater Omaha Chamber, coordinates the program along with volunteer leadership. Contact Lynda at (402) 978-7928 or lshafer@omahachamber.org.

2012 LEADERSHIP OMAHA SELECTION PROCESS:

Forty-three to 48 participants are selected for each class. The selection committee ensures the class reflects the diversity of the community-at-large. Selection is based on the following criteria.

  • Demonstrated prior community volunteer involvement as well as leadership.
  • Expressed desire to contribute both time and energy toward serving the community.
  • Demonstrated interest in and understanding of the Omaha community.
  • Demonstrated professional growth and leadership.

The application for Class 35 will be submitted online. Following are the essay questions candidates will complete to be considered for Leadership Omaha.

Community Involvement and Leadership

  1. List the not-for-profit organizations you have been involved with in the past and the roles/responsibilities/accomplishments you've had with those organizations. Include dates and any additional information you think is pertinent.
  2. If someone were to ask you what community leadership means, what would you tell them?
  3. Why do you choose to put yourself in community leadership roles? What difference do you think you can make?

Attitudinal Evaluation

  1. What are your motivations for being selected for Leadership Omaha Class 35?
  2. The group experience is a vital part of Leadership Omaha. What do you bring to a group? Why would having you as a part of the next group enhance the experience of others in the group?
  3. A vision for the future of a city is a large concept to grasp, but what are some of your ideas for the future of Omaha? Looking into the future, describe what Omaha might look like.
  4. How would you go about making your vision for Omaha's future a reality?

Professional Growth

  1. Please provide a description of your employment history beginning with your current job, company/organization, positions you've held and time frames.
  2. Describe your career advancement. What growth have you experienced?
  3. If you belong to any professional or business associations, list the names and your involvement. Include dates of membership and roles you have taken.

LEADERSHIP OMAHA PROGRAMMING:

Leadership Omaha is a 10-month program open to participants who live or work in the Greater Omaha area. Seminar dates are below. With the exception of the Opening Retreat, seminars run from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A reception follows each seminar.

Leadership Omaha Class 35 Dates (Program participants must attend 80% of seminars to graduate.)

  • Orientation Breakfast - August 10
  • Mandatory retreat - 3:30 p.m. Sept. 9 to noon, Sept. 11
  • Inclusivity Seminar - Oct. 18
  • Education Seminar - Nov. 15
  • Government Seminar - Dec. 14
  • Justice Seminar - Jan. 17
  • Arts & Culture Seminar - Feb. 21
  • Human Services Seminar - March 21
  • Business & Economic Development Seminar - April 18
  • City Environment Seminar - May 16
  • Closing Seminar - June 6
  • Graduation Luncheon - June 13

The Leadership Omaha curriculum focuses on community trusteeship, leadership styles, and community awareness. A committee of community volunteers and Leadership Omaha alumni, supported by Chamber staff, plans the program's curriculum. Seminar days provide participants with a sense of where things are, how they work and who the leaders are, offering different perspectives on many issues.

Small group activity is a core part of the programming. In addition, class members have the opportunity to participate in a police ride-along. Graduates are encouraged to take part in boardsmanship training, learning board fundamentals, in the year following graduation.

Leadership Omaha Goals:

  • Communication - To provide opportunities for communication among emerging and established leaders.
  • Awareness - To develop participant awareness of the Greater Omaha community, its problems, challenges, and opportunities, by examining the major systems and the interrelationships that contribute to patterns of life in the city.
  • Leadership - To explore the aspects of leadership and help participants identify and enhance their own leadership styles with emphasis on the community perspective.
  • Motivation - To create an environment in which participants are motivated to develop a sense of community trusteeship and encouraged to assume leadership roles in community affairs. 

Leadership Omaha depends on wide community volunteer representation, alumni involvement, and Chamber staff support to maintain the program committees. Approximately 20 volunteers organize and run the program with over 100 resource people including government officials, experts and decision-makers as speakers.

The program is evaluated through monthly evaluations completed by participants, tabulated by staff and analyzed by the Curriculum Committee. Graduates of Leadership Omaha are surveyed annually to determine the long-term impact of the program.

© 2012 Greater Omaha Chamber
Greater Omaha Leadership Development
1301 Harney St., Omaha, NE 68102 | 13206 Grover St., Omaha, NE 68144
Our mission is to increase business investment and employment in the Greater Omaha area.