Leadership DeLand is a leadership development program co-sponsored by the DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce and Stetson University Department of Continuing Education. It is directed toward area adults of diverse backgrounds and experiences who have demonstrated leadership potential and service.

PROGRAM GOALS
Leadership DeLand has as its goal the development of a group of people who will provide ongoing leadership in the community. The program will provide opportunities for potential leaders to meet with today’s leaders to gain a better understanding of issues and challenges facing our community. It will also provide educational opportunities to strengthen the leadership and communication skills of participants. Leadership DeLand is not an action or advocate group; rather, it is a program designed to help the community meet the challenges of the future by assuring well-trained and knowledgeable leaders.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Leadership DeLand is an twelve-week program (beginning in February and ending in May) that meets weekly usually with morning sessions (see schedule). The program will open with an orientation reception followed by an out-of-town weekend retreat devoted to personal leadership development training. Classes meet at various locations around West Volusia with on-site visitations to many of the agencies being studied. Examples of topics include the following:

· History and development of the area
· Criminal justice system
· Local and state government
· Educational system
· Leadership development
· Health care
· Economic development
· Current and projected issues

Leadership DeLand will conclude with a graduation and recognition ceremony on Tuesday, May 11.

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ELIGIBILITY
Men and women who have resided or worked in the West Volusia area and who want to enhance their leadership potential and service through community involvement are eligible to particpate in the Leadership DeLand program.

A confidential application must be submitted to the Department of Continuing Education, Stetson University, 421 N. Woodland Boulevard, Unit 8393, DeLand, Florida 32723 no later than January 15, 2010 . Applications may be secured from the Chamber of Commerce office, the Department of Continuing Education or clicking on the "Application" button at the top of this page. Notification of class selection will be made by February 5, 2010.

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FEE AND ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT
The fee for Leadership DeLand is $649 (additional fee may be required if you desire a single room for opening retreat). Fees or portions of fees are not refundable after participant selection. Participants and sponsoring organizations must be willing to commit the necessary time to the program. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory although one session, excluding retreat, Personal Leadership Development and graduation, may be missed for emergency reasons. Those missing more than one session for any reason may not be permitted to graduate. Tardiness and/or early departures from meetings will be considered the same as an absence. The Retreat is an out-of-town team building exercise; participants are required to stay at the retreat site from Friday evening through Sunday at noon, February 19-21.

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BENEFITS
The benefits for the participants in this program include the following:

· Developing a network of community contacts and building working relationships with community leaders.
· Learning what factors are of significance in key community issues and how, in general, the community
  works.
· Becoming better acquainted with other community leaders.
· Learning about various community resources, facilities and governing bodies.
· Developing the leadership potential of each participant.