Leadership Harlingen

Leadership Harlingen, established by the Chamber in 1985, is a series of 10 one-day sessions covering education, agriculture, social services, medical services, state/local government, communication and arts, local industry, and law enforcement. Leadership Harlingen develops and enhances community leadership by giving participants expanded knowledge and awareness of the strengths, needs, and issues within the Harlingen area.

Prime candidates for this program are those individuals who are emerging as leaders within their chosen careers and/or various community organizations and agencies, and current leaders wishing to improve their knowledge of the community as well as their leadership skills. They represent every sector of the community and are individuals with enthusiasm, dedication and a quest for knowledge.

It is the goal of Leadership Harlingen that the training will result in an informed network of dedicated leaders who will work actively to influence and guide the direction of change in the community.

Leadership Harlingen is produced by the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce to achieve the following goals:

• Identify and bring together men and women of the Harlingen area who seek the opportunity to expand their involvement in the community and are willing to assume leadership roles.

• Enhance the participant’s knowledge of and commitment to the Harlingen area to make their involvement in the community more effective.

• Develop and form relationships that will benefit their professional and volunteer careers.

• Stimulate a common understanding among the social and economic groups within the community of the forces and trends affecting the development of the community and to enhance the ability of these groups to work together for the advancement of the Harlingen area.

• Promote active involvement by the participants in a wide range of civic and community development.

• Facilitate the exchange of viewpoints and varied experiences among all the participants in the programs, thereby expanding communication among the most active and involved members of the community.

Tuition is payable by the individual, employer or sponsoring organization. Tuition covers meals, overnight accommodations, supplemental transportation and course materials. This program requires a serious time commitment from the participants. Class size is limited. Click here to register now to Leadership Harlingen. 

Youth Leadership Harlingen

Youth Leadership Harlingen, established in 1994, and produced by the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District, is a program for students enrolled in secondary schools within the Harlingen school district.

Objectives

• To identify students who have demonstrate leadership qualities or display a potential toward leadership.

• To select a class of approximately 35 participants which represents a diverse group of students including gender, ethnicity and areas of interest.

• To present in-depth programs to acquaint participants with community needs, opportunities, problems and resources and to allow interaction with the community leaders.

• To provide opportunities for students from different environments to know one another and develop a level of trust and respect.

Purpose

The purpose of Youth Leadership Harlingen is to train students in leadership techniques and community awareness so they will become familiar with current issues, community resources, opportunities and other factors influencing the direction of their community’s future. Through a series of discussions, activities and field trips, the students will become familiar with community needs and resources, and will be prepared to make a positive impact on the quality of life in their community.

Program

Youth Leadership Harlingen is a series of five all day sessions covering leadership skills training, city government/criminal justice, health and human services, business and industry and quality of life and cultural arts. The program also includes an orientation, a full-day ropes session and a graduation ceremony. Youth Leadership Harlingen encourages the development of leaders from the secondary schools of Harlingen through a program series which:

• exposes young leaders to the various elements that form a strong and dynamic community;

• encourages self-development and individual leadership skills, and

• fosters the interest in voluntary participation in community affairs.

Tuition

Tuition for the program includes meals, breaks, supplemental transportation and course materials. The Chamber subsidizes the remaining cost of the program. Scholarships may be available but the participants are expected to personally pay tuition in the amount of $40.

Selection Criteria

Participants for Youth Leadership Harlingen are selected based upon their completed application and personal references. The following criteria will be used in selection:

• Must demonstrate interest in acquiring leadership skills

• Must agree to program time commitment

• Must have parent’s/guardian’s permission
   

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