Since 1984 the Aurora Chamber of Commerce has promoted and fostered the development of leadership in our community. Leadership Aurora is a program designed to meet our city’s need for the active participation of informed, skilled and involved community leaders. As a result, Leadership Aurora educates and prepares community leaders who are committed to shaping Aurora’s future.
Leadership Aurora provides the opportunity for participants to broaden their knowledge of the community while enhancing their leadership skills. The program brings diverse people together to learn from each other, creates an expectation of servant leadership, produces a basic understanding of how people and groups function and builds in real opportunities to teach knowledge and skills.
The purpose of Leadership Aurora is reflected in its goals:
- To develop awareness of the Aurora area – its strengths, challenges and opportunities
- To enhance leadership abilities
- To create a network of informed,
concerned leaders - To encourage greater involvement in the community
Leadership Aurora is a ten-month community leadership development program that begins with a mandatory two-night retreat in late September each year and culminates with a graduation program in early June. From October through May, the program consists of eight full-day sessions held the third Thursday of each month.
Topics include:
- Community/Quality of Life
- Education
- Media Training
- Police/Criminal & Civil Justice
- Economic & Infrastructure
- Military/Government
- Healthcare
- Fire Protection Services
- Leadership Training
Each month topics are presented through the use of prominent individuals from the public and private sectors, in-depth dialogue of current issues pertinent to the session topic, case studies, site visits, interactive and “hands-on” experience. Participants also work in teams or as a group on projects of their own design to provide tangible solutions to various contemporary community challenges. The community actually becomes the classroom.
Through contact with a wide range of professionals, and the “behind the scenes” knowledge gained, Leadership Aurora participants have the opportunity to expand their influence on the community. Leadership Aurora seeks to present views from a wide spectrum of experts. The success of the program is measured by the positive effect on the participants, their organizations and the community.
Leadership Aurora is one of more than 1,000 community leadership programs in the United States, and is a member of the National Association for Community Leadership. Leadership Aurora is a program of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce and is underwritten by the Chamber, in-kind donations, and tuition. Curriculum and other program specifics are overseen by Leadership Aurora Board members who themselves are graduates of the Leadership Aurora program.
Each year businesses, public and private agencies, civic organizations and clubs are asked to identify candidates for the program. Because leaders spring from all sectors of the community, Leadership Aurora seeks to bring together a broad cross section of participants who represent diverse backgrounds and lifestyes.
Class participants are selected based on the criteria established by the selection committee of Leadership Aurora. Candidates for the program must demonstrate commitment to the future of Aurora, accomplishment within their own organization, involvement in community activites, a capacity for leadership, and a willingness to commit the time and energy required to participate in the Leadership Aurora program.
