Leadership Goshen is a program of the Goshen Chamber of Commerce which aims to identify, cultivate, and motivate future community leaders. This informative and thought-provoking program introduces participants to the opportunities and challenges in the community, while exposing them to the Chamber’s strategic initiatives.

Regular sessions involve a combination of panel discussions, tours, hands-on experience, one-on-one interaction with current community leaders, and leadership building group activities designed to expose participants to all aspects of the topics covered in each session. Each session contains time focused on leadership style and skills development, followed by in-depth exploration of a particular industry. Industry areas include Education; Healthcare; Non-Profits; Development; Government; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Community; and a Class Project.

The overall goal of the Leadership Goshen program is broken down into four areas:

1. Communication
   To facilitate opportunities for communication among emerging and established leaders
   
2. Awareness
   To facilitate participants growth and knowledge in the Goshen community, its assets, challenges, and opportunities
3. Leadership
   To foster and develop leadership skills and help participants identify and grow their own leadership styles with an emphasis on the community perspective
4. Motivation
   To encourage and facilitate a space so participants are motivated to take a leadership role within our community

Application and Selection Process

Each potential participant must submit a completed application, with answers to the essay questions, and attach a resume. It is up to applicants to ensure that they have submitted all required materials. To be considered for the program, applicants must either include tuition payment of $750 in the form of check or credit card information. Completed applications and tuition payments must be received by the Goshen Chamber of Commerce by Friday, July 23, 2021 by 4:00 p.m. If you are not selected for admission to the Leadership Goshen Class of 2021, your tuition will be refunded in full. Each application is reviewed by a Steering Committee which looks at individual qualifications and a broad spectrum of experience. The Steering Committee strives to select a diverse representation of all segments of our community. Applicants will be notified of the status of their acceptance by July 30, 2021. At that time, accepted applicants will be asked for additional information and will receive a finalized 2021 schedule. Selection for Leadership Goshen is based on the following criteria: Involvement in professional and/or managerial positions, demonstrated ability and desire to assume greater community leadership responsibility, clear willingness to make a commitment to the community in subsequent years, proof of the full support of the organization or business they represent

Class Attendance Policy

Complete attendance is an expectation of participation in the Leadership Goshen program. Please carefully review the program schedule listed, considering your work and outside obligations. If you cannot commit to all sessions this year, consider applying for a future program year. Missing sessions may result in your ineligibility to graduate from the program and/or the co-chairs considering your dismissal from the class with forfeiture of the tuition.

Technology Policy

The Leadership Goshen program is enhanced when all participants are active and engaged. To that end, cell phones and other devices should be put away during sessions unless participants are utilizing them for note-taking purposes. The Steering Committee recognizes that participants are vital to their companies and organizations, and that some communication back to the office may be unavoidable during Leadership Goshen days. For that reason, session organizers will dedicate time for breaks to give you a chance to check in. As a leader, we hope you will appropriately delegate responsibilities so that you can be fully engaged with the program while participating in Leadership Goshen days.

Tentative Dates and Topics

• September 25, 2024 – Orientation and Emotional Intelligence
• October 30, 2024 – Self-awareness/Mindfulness and Community Development
• November 20, 2024 – Self Management and Community Government
• December 18, 2024 – Listening, Empathy, and Community Education
• January 29, 2025 – Social Awareness and Organizational Culture
• February 26, 2025 – Asking Powerful Questions and Community Healthcare
• March 26, 2025 – Relationship Management/Body Language and Non-Profit
• April 30, 2025 – Awareness in Conflict and Class Project Presentations
• Graduation Ceremony Luncheon during “Chamber Week” on May 6, 2025