<strong>From staff reports</strong>

Leadership Beaufort is taking applications for the Class of 2022.

The program, founded in 1985, each year allows a select group of local leaders to build community trustee leadership through an in-depth view of cultural, economic, historic, social, educational, environmental and government resources.

According to the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce website, “Leadership Beaufort connects participants with prominent civic, business and government leaders. It is an interactive process for the ‘movers and shakers.’”

According to the website, applications are taken during April and May of each year and are due to the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce office the Friday before Memorial Day. After an interview process, participants of the class are typically announced by the first week in July.

Leadership Beaufort’s Class of 2022 will usually meet the first Friday of every month between October 2021 and April 2022, usually from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at various locations. The program begins and ends with a weekend retreat and the cost is $825.

Some partial scholarships may be available. Do not send payment with your application.

Tentative schedule

Orientation: 5:30-6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021

Leadership Retreat Weekend: Sept. 10-12, 2021

Session 1 – History &amp; Quality of Life: Oct. 1, 2021

Session 2 – Environment: Nov. 5 2021

Session 3 – Economy: Dec. 3, 2021

Session 4 – Public Services &amp; Health: Jan. 7, 2022

Session 5 – Law: Feb. 4, 2022

Session 6 – Education: March 4, 2022

Session 7 – Government: April 1, 2022

Leadership Retreat Weekend: April 22-24, 2022

Graduation Dinner: Wednesday, April 27, 2022 (Evening)

Attendance

Attendance at both retreats is mandatory. Participants cannot miss more than one monthly session and successfully complete the program. (But they may make up sessions in a subsequent year.)

Sessions typically last from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participants are expected to attend the entire day’s session, including lunch.

Criteria

Organizers are looking for a diverse group in hopes of reflecting the population of the greater Beaufort area. This would include a variety of age groups, cultures, men and women, persons new to the area as well as longtime residents, different professions, etc.

If someone is not chosen as a participant in this year’s class, they are encouraged to reapply in another year. Applicant interviews will be held during the month of June, with the class anticipated to be announced by July 2021 Several alternates will be chosen and are quite often placed closer to the September retreat. No alternates will be placed after the first retreat.

Partial scholarship funds may be available. Please contact Connie Hipp at 843-812-6822 for more information.

Apply at https://bit.ly/3x1S3PN.