Leadership Omaha
Now entering its 36th 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. The application window for Class 36 has closed. Applications for Class 37 will be available in early 2014.
Class 36 applicants will be notified as to their status in late June.
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.
2013 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.
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 36 Dates (Program participants must attend 80% of seminars to graduate.)
- Orientation Reception - August 22
- Mandatory retreat - 3:30 p.m. Sept. 22 to noon, Sept. 24
- Inclusivity Seminar - Oct. 17
- Government Seminar - Nov. 8
- Education Seminar - Dec. 12
- Justice Seminar - Jan. 16, 2014
- Arts & Culture Seminar - Feb. 20
- Human Services Seminar - March 20
- Business & Economic Development Seminar - April 17
- City Environment Seminar - May 15
- Closing Seminar/Graduation Reception - June 5
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. Class members will be assigned a small group at the beginning of the year. Each group will select, develop and execute a project for the benefit of the Omaha community, while learning more about group process.
In addition, class members are encouraged to participate in a police ride-along and other optional activities.
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.