What It Is All About
Leadership Eau Claire™ (LEC) combines leadership skill building with community education. During the nine-month program, participants get a bird’s-eye view of the issues facing the community, begin developing the leadership skills necessary to assume leadership roles, and are exposed to involvement opportunities in the community. Leadership Eau Claire™ is unlike other programs because it provides a catalyst for community vision and change – it builds a better tomorrow for all of us.
"Being part of LEC helped me learn about the many volunteer opportunities available in Eau Claire. One of our visits was to the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic, and while there I learned they needed interpreters. Inspired by this experience, I now regularly volunteer there, using my language skills to give back to the community.
If you're new to Eau Claire, or even if you've lived here for years, I can't recommend LEC highly enough. It’s a truly unique opportunity to invest one day a month in learning about the city you live and work at, it’ll awaken and grow your love and pride in Eau Claire."
-Class of 2023 Graduate
"Joining Leadership Eau Claire (LEC) has been a wonderful experience. Having been an Eau Claire resident my entire life, I did not fully grasp the number of exciting things that take place daily. From the opening retreat to the insightful LEC days led by industry experts, I was able to enhance my leadership skills, expand my network, and gain a deeper understanding of our community’s needs.
The program’s focus on collaboration and offering exclusive experiences not available to the public was invaluable. I highly recommend LEC to anyone looking to grow as a leader and make a difference in the wonderful community we call home."
-Class of 2024 Graduate
How the Program Works
Participants attend a two-day opening retreat, seven one-day sessions, and a closing retreat over nine months.
Sessions
The eight one-day sessions are held on the third or fourth Thursday of each month from August through May from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
LEC Class of 2025 Program Days take place on the following dates:
- Opening Retreat: Thursday, August 1 - Friday, August 2, 2024
- Agriculture & Environment Day: Thursday, September 12, 2024
- Government & Law Day: Thursday, October 10, 2024
- Arts & Tourism Day: Thursday, November 14, 2024
- History & Culture Day: Thursday, December 12, 2024
- Volunteerism & Human Services Day: Thursday, January 9, 2025
- Education Day: Thursday, February 13, 2025
- Health & Quality of Life Day: Thursday, March 13, 2025
- Business & Industry Day: Thursday, April 10, 2025
- Weather Contingency Day (use if needed): Thursday, May 8, 2025
- Leadership Eau Claire™ Graduation Day: Thursday, May 22, 2025
Each session offers a hands-on experience and a unique opportunity to interact with community leaders.
Retreats
The program begins with an overnight retreat in northern Wisconsin where attendees participate in several networking and team-building activities designed to demonstrate the dynamics of effective leadership. It concludes with a closing retreat where participants give a presentation to other class members on their group projects.
What Participants Will Gain
Many graduates find that this training taps something in them that they didn’t know existed. Today, they are contributing to vital areas of the community including public office, business, arts, social services, and community civic organizations.
Participants will gain from Leadership Eau Claire™:
- A far greater understanding and perspective of the community.
- Knowledge of their personal strategies and how to utilize them.
- Improved leadership skills.
- Improved decision-making skills.
- A new network of professionals.
- Enhanced confidence.
- Unparalleled learning opportunities.
- A passion to improve our community.
- Instills community trusteeship understanding.
What Employers Will Gain
Many employers derive multiple benefits from their investment in Leadership Eau Claire™. Often the involvement of their employees in LEC paves the way for future cooperative efforts.
The valuable training benefits employers in many ways. Leadership Eau Claire™:
- Builds leaders that contribute to their organizations.
- Identifies employees’ strengths and how to work well with others.
- Provides professional networking opportunities.
- Helps employees develop a greater personal vision.
- Offers exposure for companies.
- Reinforces skills and imparts knowledge to participants.
- Improves employees’ vision for “big picture” thinking.
- Provides a package of cost-effective, efficient training.
- Enhances problem-solving skills.
Group Projects
Leadership Eau Claire™ (LEC) participants are required to participate in a group project. The class is divided into teams, which throughout the year work with a community non-profit organization to complete a service project. The process is monitored by the LEC Executive Committee. Download a list of group projects.
For more information on Leadership Eau Claire, please contact Kaitlyn Molis.
