Founded in 1985, Leadership Sacramento is a program of the Sacramento Metro Chamber Foundation that develops community-minded business and civic leaders of tomorrow. This year-long interactive program provides a behind-the-scenes view of the issues that impact the region’s economy. Leadership Sacramento is available to a limited number of participants each year, with monthly day-long sessions and culminates in the completion of a community betterment project.
CLASS PROJECTS
Each class works collectively to select and complete a community service project to benefit a nonprofit organization, project or cause. Past projects have included:
Habitat for Humanity: Implemented “Rock the Block” to make community repairs and improvements in local low-income neighborhoods.
Wellspring Women’s Center: Renovated outdated kitchen serving nearly 200 women and children in Oak Park every weekday with a nutritious breakfast, free counseling, enrichment classes, and safety net services.
Courage Worldwide: Assisted organization focused on combating human trafficking with additional housing, services and the start of new café to support victims.
Mustard Seed/Loaves & Fishes: Re-purposed a storage area to a multi-use room for children facing homelessness to learn life skills and explore future career paths.
Boys & Girls Club: Renovated seven rooms at downtown location to include a dance studio, recording studio, technology lab and fashion design arts studio.
Soil Born Farms: Developed and built an outdoor classroom and amphitheater to promote local agriculture for regional residents.
WHY JOIN?
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Join a network of community leaders from various disciplines who are directly impacting and shaping the future of our community.
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Gain direct exposure to the processes, programs, opportunities and challenges that impact the Sacramento region.
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Stimulate interest in community activities and encourage engagement in local and regional affairs
MONTHLY SESSIONS
Each month, Leadership Sacramento explores a new subject. The goal for each day is to give class participants a unique behind-the-scenes experience that furthers their
knowledge of each subject, demonstrating the impact the subject has on the region and providing information and connections to enable immediate community action.
Monthly sessions have included:
- Regional History
- Law & Order
- Business of Being Green
- Arts, Culture & Entertainment
- Government
- Economic Development
- Communications & Personal Branding
- Education
- Non-Profit
The Leadership Sacramento program accepts approximately 40 individuals after an extensive application review process by volunteer leaders, Metro Chamber staff, and the alumni committee. Applicants must live and work in the six-county Sacramento region (El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo or Yuba county). A conscious effort is made to select participants who represent a cross-section of the community in terms of experience and occupation to build a diverse class with various backgrounds.
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A strong interest in serving as a leader for our community.
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A passion for supporting the community demonstrated through past involvement in community activities.
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Currently holds a leadership position or demonstrates a potential for advancement into leadership positions within private-sector corporations, community-based organizations, government and/or public office.
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An ability to contribute meaningfully to class discussions through individual life experiences.
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Attend one applicant information session.
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Attend an orientation retreat.
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Attend at least 9 of the 11 regular monthly sessions, held the second Thursday of each month virtually and/or at various locations throughout the region.
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Complete homework assignments that serve to enhance the participant experience.
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Actively participate in the class community service project, which will require additional time commitments (the extent of which depends on the project chosen by the class).
“As a midwest transplant, Sacramento immediately felt like home when I arrived 12 years ago. As my family and I have become more and more engrained in our community, I wanted to find ways to do more, make an impact, know all of the inner workings of people and businesses in the region. Leadership Sacramento gave me the opportunity to meet people inside and outside of my industry that I may not have had a chance to come in contact with. The Metro Chamber’s continued support of this program shows its commitment to growing our region from the inside out. Leadership Sacramento has been a game-changer for me and I’m very thankful to my company (3fold Communications) for this opportunity to continue to learn and develop solutions for making our region an amazing place to live, work and play.”
Leadership Sacramento 2015 has enhanced my compassion, commitment, and involvement in our community.
Leadership Sacramento is a phenomenal program. Not only is it educational, it also has been a wonderful opportunity for me to connect and develop relationships with leaders who share similar goals to make the Sacramento region the best it can be. I personally paid for my tuition to participate and I would do it again. Leadership Sacramento is an investment I would highly recommend to others. Whether you’re looking to learn more about Sacramento, develop your leadership skills, or expand your network – Leadership Sacramento is the place to be.
As a transplant to Sacramento, Leadership Sacramento (#LS14) was the perfect leadership program for me, not only because of the great fellowship or practical leadership skills gained, but because it taught me a lot about the Sacramento Region and how lucky we are to live in such a rich region steeped in history and tradition with amazing weather and even better people.
As a graduate of Leadership Sacramento 2012, I am excited to take a leadership role in one of Metro Chamber’s most celebrated programs. Not only is it a great way to get to know the Sacramento community better, but it also offers its participants a networking opportunity that lasts a lifetime.
I grew up in Roseville, so I am a native of the Sacramento region. However, it wasn’t until my year in Leadership Sacramento that I feel I truly got to know Sacramento. The program gave me an in-depth look at the history of our region and a better understanding of the economic, social and environmental issues that we face.Thanks to Leadership Sacramento, I had the opportunity to meet, and collaborate with, a talented and diverse group of energetic individuals who continue to inspire me, both professionally and personally. All in all, I feel that the program gave me a renewed sense of pride in Sacramento and a desire to remain civically engaged to help our region, and all of its residents, prosper.
Leadership Sacramento offers an inside view of the many different sectors and industries in the greater Sacramento region. Thanks to what I learned from my program peers and the innovators who presented each month, I have a deeper sense of pride in our community and appreciation for the many people and organizations that power our local economy. Apply if you want to build your network with forward-thinking community leaders – they not only will be great professional contacts but also will become wonderful friends.
Leadership Sacramento has been one of the most fulfilling personal and professional experiences of my life. From the relationships I’ve built with classmates to developing a better understanding of issues affecting our Region, Leadership Sacramento has been a game-changer for me. I feel fortunate to have been able to participate in such a tremendous program with extraordinary people.
Participating in the Leadership Sacramento program was an amazing experience. Not only did I learn about our region’s initiatives, I was fortunate to be associated with an exceptional group of people that represented a wide span of industries. This diversity provided for well-rounded discussions during every class session and really opened my eyes to different perspectives. Participating in the class project as much as possible is a must! It brings great pride knowing that the Class of 2002 helped build a computer lab for Robert’s Family Development Center and that very computer lab continues to help many families in that community. I have recommended Leadership Sacramento to a lot of people and those that participated all agreed it was a great experience!
Leadership Sacramento has given me so much insight into how many things impact the success of our city. We have so many amazing people, groups, and organizations that are leading programs, opening businesses, and supporting our community that it is hard not to fall in love with Sacramento and want to be part of the change. And as if it could get any better, the relationships you build among your classmates during your year together and beyond is something that you will treasure forever.
The Leadership Sacramento experience expands and develops the knowledge, influence, and leadership skills of all who participate. If you have a desire to become part of a network of professionals active in and committed to community issues, make the investment in Leadership Sacramento.
Uptown Studios has had a participant in each year of Leadership Sacramento since 2012. The benefits that each of my employees gain from the experience far outweighs the investment. Suddenly we have another 35 people that get to know our team and build new relationships. Leadership Sacramento has helped position Uptown Studios as a leader in our community.
Leadership Sacramento has helped show me what my true skills and strengths are beyond what my job title suggests. The program has highlighted what I’m capable of doing to make my community better, both as a person and a professional in my industry.
I’ve heard people refer to Leadership Sacramento as ‘life-changing’ and once upon a time, I thought that to be an exaggeration. It’s not. As a member of #LS11 and the program chair for #LS15, I stand by that statement and the program’s impact on each class member and this region. Those of us lucky enough to experience the year-long investment in ourselves and our communities benefit for a lifetime.
Prior to going through Leadership Sacramento, I knew anywhere between 0 and 10% of the people at events. After Leadership Sacramento, those rooms have shrunk considerably and I now know anywhere between 40-60% of the attendees. There is no better feeling of having pre-existing relationships with dozens of people when you walk into a room like that. That is the power of Leadership Sacramento.
For years I suffered from autophobia. After 12 sessions with Leadership Sacramento I’m happy to say I haven’t been alone at a a networking event since.
PROGRAM CHAIRS:
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For more information, contact:
Andrea Ellinghouse
Metro Chamber Foundation
Executive Director
916.319.4260