LEAD Champaign County 2021
Date and Time
Thursday Sep 9, 2021
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM CDT
10-week course held on Thursday each week beginning on September 9 and ending November 18. Times will vary week to week. Please see complete 10-week schedule below for details.
Location
All sessions will be held in person. Session location will vary week to week.
Fees/Admission
Early Bird Registration: $525 (Now through September 1) - discount will be automatically applied at registration.
Late Registration: $625 (September 2 - September 7)
Contact Information
(217) 359-1791
Send Email
Description
LEAD Champaign County is designed to mold young professionals into strong local leaders. Participants will gain confidence, knowledge, professionalism and new leadership skills they can bring back to their place of employment. The program is a great way to connect young professionals with their peers and build strong business relationships. The value of establishing a business peer network is beneficial to both the employee and your employer.
All sessions will be held in-person. Unless otherwise noted, all sessions will take place at the Chamber office - 303 W. Kirby Ave., Champaign.
Masks will be required for all individuals at each session. Please remember that people will have differing levels of comfort as we return to in-person events. Handshaking and standing in close proximity may still make people uneasy. So, we ask that all participants be respectful of this. Bring your best fist bump, reconnect, learn and enjoy.
LEAD Champaign County Mission:
Attract and identify the next generation of community leaders in order to grow Champaign County. Connect young professionals with the surrounding community through unique opportunities in the area of service, leadership, and advocacy. Engage young professionals to have a vested interest in the success of our community.
Complete 10-Week Schedule:
Thursday, September 9
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Kick-Off Event
Papa Del's - 1201 S Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820
To kick-off LEAD Champaign County, participants will gather together at Papa Del's to meet and get to know each other better over some pizza and drinks. Participants will be given further additional materials and details about the class.
Thursday, September 16
9:00 a.m. - NOON
Allerton Challenge Course
Allerton Park & Retreat Center - 515 Old Timber Rd, Monticello, IL 61856
Participants are encourage to wear comfortable clothes, closed-toed shoes (tennis shoes are best) and bring water if needed. This will be an outdoor, (light) physical activity. Please plan and dress accordingly.
Thursday, September 23
8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Grafton Strength Finder
Presented by Gayle Spencer, Illinois Leadership Center
Participants will complete the Clifton Strengths assessment to uncover their top 5 strengths. Gayle will lead participants through personalized reports to uncover, unlock and maximize potential.
Thursday, September 30
8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Effective Communication in the Workplace
Presented by Jerris Duncan
Jerris will discuss the three C's of communication and how they can be used to communicate more effectively in the workplace and beyond.
Thursday, October 7
8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Leadership Panel
Hear from local leaders about their path to the leadership roles they currently serve in. Participants will have opportunities to ask questions from local CEO's, high level managers and local elected officials.
Thursday, October 14
8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Leadership vs. Management
Presented by CAPT. Anthony Corapi, Chief Operating Officer, High School of St. Thomas More
Leadership and management are two very different things. Anthony will discuss the differences between the two and how you can become a better leader by understanding the two concepts.
Thursday, October 21
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Honorable Leadership: Being A Great Role Model
Presented by Habeeb Habeeb
Habeeb will discuss the power of being an honorable leader. When you become a role model that people look up to you, you also increase your credibility and influence.
Thursday, October 28
8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Book Discussion
Facilitated discussion reviewing the book assigned at the beginning of the course. In addition to active participation in the discussion, a one-page reflection report will be due as well.
Thursday, November 4
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Etiquette Luncheon & Graduation
Location TBD
Presented by Patricia Simpson, Game Changing Etiquette
Participants will receive a crash course on the basics of business dining etiquette from Patricia Simpson of Game Changing Etiquette. Gain the knowledge and skills needed to feel comfortable and confident at your next business meal.
Thursday, November 11 - NO SESSION SCHEDULED - Veterans Day
Thursday, November 18
4:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Grow Your Professional Network
Prior to the monthly Chamber networking event, Business After Hours, a facilitated networking and team building event will be held with LEAD participants and members of the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce. Take this opportunity to use skills learned throughout LEAD to expand your network and make important business connections.
Participants are encouraged to stay and participate in Business After Hours with the membership at large after the LEAD networking event.
*Times may be subject to change. Updated in formation will be sent to participants as it becomes available.
Questions? Contact Lindsay Quick at lindsayq@champaigncounty.org.
