Each Leadership Charlotte class has 50-55 individuals. About 50% of the class is made up of at-large applicants (anyone in the community). The other 50% are Partner candidates. Partner candidates do not go through our selection/interview process.
The selection committee is comprised of Leadership Charlotte Board Members and Alumni. Members of this committee serve multiple year terms for purposes of continuity. Interview Partners must serve for at least 1 year prior to being on the Selection Committee and can serve a maximum of 3 consecutive years as an Interview Partner. Selection Committee members can serve a maximum of 3 consecutive years. It is an expectation that members of this committee agree to respect the confidentiality of all applicants. Refrain from sharing any specific information about the organization, applicants or staff outside this process. Within the selection conversation members will have open dialog and share information that is pertinent to the selection process.
Timing
In January, both selection committee members and interview partners attend training about the process. Applications are accepted until February 15, after which, from mid-February to mid-March all at-large applications are read and scored by the selection committee. We take all personal information off the applications for this part of our process. The Selection Committee and Interview Partners then meet to review interview guidelines and review interview assignments. From mid-March to late April interviews are conducted, with no selection members being paired with applicants they may know, avoiding any conflict of interest. In the beginning of May the Selection Committee meets to decide on recommendations to the Board for at-large participants and a list of alternates for the Class. At the May/June LC Board of Directors meeting, the Selection Committee Chair presents Class recommendations to Board of Directors for vote of approval.
Criteria
Application to Leadership Charlotte is open to persons living or working in Mecklenburg County. A class of approximately fifty individuals will be selected from sponsoring organizations and from the community at-large.
Leadership Charlotte is committed to having a diverse and dynamic membership. Class members are chosen by the Leadership Charlotte Selection Committee which seeks representation from a cross section of the community including business, education, the arts, religion, government, community-based organizations and ethnic/minority groups. Individuals may nominate themselves.
In reviewing applications, the Selection Committee looks for potential participants who demonstrate the following criteria:
- Commitment and motivation to serve the Charlotte/Mecklenburg area.
- Policy-shaping responsibility or position of leadership in employment and/or volunteer organizations resulting in the potential to have significant influence on important issues facing the community.
- Ability to make the time commitment required by the program.
Leadership
Qualified applicants will have demonstrated leadership capabilities
in the public, private, nonprofit or religious sector, or will show a motivation to
contribute to the betterment of Charlotte. He or she will be of high ethical
character, demonstrate maturity in interpersonal relationships and possess a
capacity for thoughtful reflection.
Service
Applicants will have served the community by contributing time and
energy, or will have a significant interest in getting involved with community
activities through the Leadership Charlotte experience. Service may be
demonstrated through non-profit, civic-related fraternal organizations and/or
through service on community boards or committees.
Achievement
Applicants will have demonstrated a commitment and/or interest
in the betterment of the community. Such achievement may have been
accomplished in the public, private, nonprofit or religious sector.
General
Consideration will be given to those who have held positions
demonstrating leadership potential, who have contributed outside their chosen
career or field, who are motivated to commit to the Leadership Charlotte
experience, and to those who will continue their involvement beyond graduation.
The program is open to adults working and/or residing in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.
Mission Inclusive: Leadership Charlotte is committed to an inclusive and
dynamic membership, and we seek participants who represent diverse
backgrounds, perspectives and experiences.
TRANSFERS FROM OTHER LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
Membership in Leadership Charlotte is open to persons who have completed city leadership programs of similar structure and length which are affiliated with the Association of Leadership Programs (ALP) and who have met the following criteria:
- Attended two Class program days
- Paid an audit fee equal to 25% of the prevailing Leadership Charlotte tuition
- Submitted written verification of graduation from a leadership program in another city
- Submitted a written application and photo (a basic information form, so that we might have some background history on file)
Persons meeting these criteria will be regarded as full members of Leadership Charlotte and are entitled to all rights and privileges.
Please complete the our Transfer Application or contact us for more information.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
The success of the Leadership Charlotte Program depends on the full commitment of each participant to attend all program sessions, arrive on time and stay for the entirety. Even though emergencies do arise, full participation is expected for all sessions, projects and interim activities. Failure to comply with this policy may result in dismissal from the program and forfeiture of tuition. Questions pertaining to the Attendance Policy should be directed to the Executive Director.