Elgin Area Leadership Academy seeks students for 2023-24 class
Are you interested in becoming more involved in your community and learning first-hand about local organizations? Do you want to make a difference?
The award-winning Elgin Area Leadership Academy (EALA), a program by the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce in 1991, is dedicated to educating, developing and empowering current and future community leaders and motivating them to serve civic, charitable, and business organizations in the Elgin area. Since its initial 1991-92 class, over 600 individuals have graduated from this unique EALA experience.
It continues to make a difference in the lives of its participants and the vibrancy of the greater Elgin area community.
"For me, the Leadership Academy has given me the opportunity to work to ensure a quality of life for those who work or live here," said Dan Fox, co-founder of EALA. "Volunteers are the backbone of social service agencies, faith-based organizations, and neighborhood groups. It is the goal of the Academy to educate and create a network for the next group of volunteers and leaders. I am proud of all those alumni who continue to serve others."
"Now is the time to get involved and become part of a critical and expanding community network," said Carol Gieske, Elgin Area Chamber CEO and president. "We are currently recruiting Elgin Area Leadership Academy participants for the upcoming class of 2023-24."
A total of 12 EALA classes will be held on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon from Sept. 30, 2023 through May 4, 2024. Participants will learn about leadership development, volunteerism, ethics, health, social justice and diversity, board governance, and economic development from the City of Elgin representatives and local nonprofit and business leaders. In addition, participants will take part in a valuable bus tour that showcases key civic, business, nonprofit, educational, and health-related locations.
The benefits of EALA are spread throughout the community in many ways.
• EALA participants benefit from a board-based education about the community in which live and/or work, while developing a valuable communications network among key civic, business, and educational leaders.
• The greater Elgin area benefits from the development of a source of high quality leaders with broadened perspectives prepared to address issues critical to the future.
• The local businesses whose employees participate in EALA benefit from the development of personal skills that increase their effectiveness in their professional environment.
"EALA did not disappoint," said Dr. David Sam, president, Elgin Community College. "In a short time, I was linked to the community and drew upon the community resources to further the mission of ECC. Now, fifteen years later, I am still benefitting from my participation in the program."
EALA provides hands-on opportunities and interactions with the City of Elgin, local education and healthcare institutions, businesses, not for profits, and much more to develop and expand each individual's leadership qualities.
Participation selection is based upon evidence of community involvement and a willingness to assume greater community responsibilities. The EALA program requires a significant commitment to the class with participant attendance being critical for achieving the maximum benefit from the program.
Visit www.elginchamber.com for more information and to apply online.