Student Leadership

 
Student Leadership is a county-wide program designed to develop positive leadership qualities in high school students. The program focuses on how young people can make it a better place and seeks to create successful leaders by giving the local students the knowledge, tools, and contacts to do so. Through out the program students will learn about their county and communities with hopes that they return to the area after college and consider a future career in Etowah county. After graduating from the program, student will possess a unique understanding and appreciation of the inner workings of the Etowah community and may even be excellent future candidates to serve on local boards, committees, and task forces.
 

 
Meet the 2023-2024 Student Leadership Program Members Here
 
 
OUR 2023-2024 SPONSORS

MENTOR LEVEL
 
 
 
GUIDE LEVEL
 
COACH LEVEL
 
 


PROGRAM GOALS:
  • To give young people the knowledge, tools and contacts to create successful leaders.
  • To instill and nurture a sense of social responsibility in our youth.
  • To offer a forum for young leaders to express their needs, goals and opinions.
  • To explore the diverse facets of Etowah County’s social affairs, government and business.
  • To provide participants a chance to serve their community.
  • To present young leaders with a rewarding and fun experience while exploring potential career options.
  • To select a diverse class of highly motivated participants who represent the diversity of racial, ethnic, and socio-economic groups in Etowah County, Alabama.
  • To provide leadership skills development through participation in training seminars and program activities.
  • To present a variety of programs on community issues, needs, opportunities, problems and resources while providing interaction with community leaders.
  • To provide opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to meet and develop mutual understanding, respect and trust.
  • To offer participants opportunities for volunteer community involvement and service
  • To encourage our youth to find satisfying job opportunities so he/she will come home to Etowah County, Alabama to live, learn, work, worship, play and raise his/her family.
PROGRAM FORMAT:
The Chamber’s Student Leadership Council Program begins in August and will consist of one session per month(excluding December) until April with an additional Graduation Day in April. Participants are exposed to a variety of viewpoints that illustrate the economic, political, educational, and social factors at work in Etowah County. They will meet with area leaders in business, media, government, education, and service organizations. In addition, participants receive training in leadership effectiveness and human behavior.

Participants must make a commitment to the program. Attendance at each monthly session are prerequisites for graduation certification. Participants will be allowed to miss one (1) full-day session or two (2) half-day sessions due to illness or a death in the family. Students missing more than one (1) full session or two (2) half-day sessions will be dismissed from the program.  An absence due to a school event/program will be considered excused. An absence due to a test at school is not considered excused.

PROGRAM DATES AND THEMES:
  • August - Introductions and Orientation Day
  • September - Healthcare Day
  • October - Public Safety Day
  • November - Tourism Day
  • January - Nonprofit Day
  • February - Government Day
  • March - Workforce Development Day
  • April - Arts & Culture Day
  • April - Graduation Day
PARTICIPANT ELIGIBILITY:
All area high school juniors(public & private) are eligible to apply for this program. The Chamber will have a selection process in place to narrow down two juniors from each school who demonstrate leadership abilities and who exhibit concern for their community. The students must meet the following criteria:
  • Have genuine interest in participating in community/leadership activities.
  • Must be willing to attend all scheduled sessions.
  • Must be well respected by his/her peers and/or exhibits a high level of activity at school.
  • Must be able to carry on productive discussions with both adults and peers about issues that concern them.
  • Must be able to maintain a professional/mature attitude for all program activities.

Applications are NOW OPEN!

Click To Apply Here


Deadline for Applications closes Friday, April 12th, 2024 at 5:00 PM

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Coach ….. $250
Provides lunch to every student in the program for one month, receive your logo on the Chamber website and logo on all marketing materials
 
Guide ….. $500
Provides a t-shirt to every student in the program, receive your logo on the Chamber website, logo on all marketing materials as well as an invitation to the Student Leadership graduation.
 
Mentor ….. $1000
Provides transportation for a year for every student in the program, receive your logo on the back of the class shirts, your logo on the Chamber website, logo on all marketing materials, & an invitation to be a lunch speaker one session as well as an invitation to the Student Leadership graduation

 
CCAA Alabama Accredited Chamber of Commerce

Come Visit Us

1 Commerce Square
Gadsden, AL 35901
Get In Touch
With Us
The Latest
On Facebook
 
COPYRIGHT 2010-2024 THE CHAMBER, GADSDEN/ETOWAH COUNTY