Applications now accepted for Leadership West Michigan 2009!

Apply now! (click here for application)   
                              
Leadership West Michigan (LWM) is the "next step" in community-based leadership programs that help make West Michigan the region the world needs us to be.  One that will:

►  Support sustainable growth (triple bottom line)
►  Nurture and attract human capital
►  Foster public-private partnerships
►  Support collaboration among citizens and organizations

Leadership West Michigan views the local priorities through a global lens; by viewing the region in a global context and local communities in a regional and state context. LWM is a program of the West Michigan Chamber Coalition, a collaboration of the chambers of commerce of Muskegon , Grand Haven/Spring Lake/Ferrysburg, Holland , Grand Rapids and their respective leadership programs.

Please click here for the Leadership West Michigan application.  Applications are due July 29, 2009.

For more information, visit www.leadershipwestmichigan.com or contact Julie Metsker at 616.771.0584 or j.metsker@wmchamber.org.

Leadership West Michigan (LWM), a program of the West Michigan Chamber Coalition, resulted from the collaboration of the Chambers of Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon, and their leadership programs.

The Leadership West Michigan mission is "to equip leaders for regional collaboration." The program focuses on:

• Creation of a regional mindset among leaders
• Sharpening of skills that enable participants to affect the development of regional collaboration
• Increasing the understanding and awareness of regional resources, issues and opportunities
• Development and enhancement of networks of decision makers (to encourage cooperation and to make informed choices)
• Commitment on the part of participants to serve the West Michigan region

Program priorities are: economic prosperity, social justice, and environmental integrity. Through a series of intensive work sessions, the participants build vital leadership skills, seek close working relationships and get up to speed on volumes of rich information about the West Michigan region. The sessions promote dialogue, networking and leadership learning; and impart skills and tools needed to think and act differently and in a system-oriented fashion.

Informed, exceptional leaders are needed to be a powerful force to grow the region in ways that sustain a wonderful quality of life for all people and in making West Michigan a winner in global competition.

Detailed information about this West Michigan Strategic Alliance endorsed program is available at www.leadershipwestmichigan.com.

Leadership West Michigan, a program of the West Michigan Chamber Coalition is beginning its fourth annual regional session on September 7 and 8, with a two-day bus tour of the entire region. These 30 individuals from throughout West Michigan who will participate, represent a cross-section of business, professions, organizations, ages, gender, cultural perspectives, ethnic backgrounds and geographic areas. "They will be an important voice individually and collectively", reports Cindy Larsen, president of the Muskegon Area Chamber. The entire program consists of seven sessions, one in each of the following areas: Health care and Human Services, Education, Economic Development, Public Governance and Land Use, the bus tour and a "what's next" wrap up meeting.

Leadership West Michigan is the next step in community-based leadership programs focusing on our Tri-Plex as a globally competitive area. The curriculum was designed to raise the bar for such an esteemed group to challenge, understand and respond to the issues that face the region and the global economy. Each session meets in a different community and is designed to look at ways West Michigan can collaborate to strengthen its economic vitality, connect existing and emerging leaders and increase consciousness among local decision makers as well as create visibility for West Michigan on the national and international stage.

Over 90 graduates of Leadership West Michigan continue to plan and guide this year's program as well as getting involved in regional activities as a result of their experience in LWM.