Youth Leadership Billings 2020 . . .

       30 years of helping our youth become effective leaders

Presented by:

Clark Marten Photography

 

The Billings Area is a growing, changing community. Keeping our city vibrant and healthy requires insightful leaders who have the ability to communicate and work effectively with a wide variety of groups and individuals. Youth Leadership Billings, a program of the Billings Chamber of Commerce, is designed to facilitate the personal development of the leaders of tomorrow by exposing them to the various elements that interact to form a strong economy and a dynamic community. This is done through education, networking, peer interaction, problem solving and project cooperation. Keynote speakers, panel discussions, experiential exercises, and site visits provide an opportunity for participants to explore the city’s history and economy; interact with and learn from business, government, and educational leaders; further develop interpersonal and leadership skills; gain insight into community issues; learn about volunteer opportunities; and gain critical skills needed to be successful in the workplace.

Goals of Youth Leadership billings

To acquaint our young leaders with the Billings area: its history, government, judicial system, health and social services, businesses and economics.

†To motivate young leaders to become more involved in volunteerism by educating them about the issues and needs of the community.

†To expose students to potential career choices through interaction with community leaders and professionals.

†To provide the opportunity for students from our high schools to meet and establish relationships with one another through meaningful interaction.

To explore the non-technical skills required to be successful in the workplace.

Eligibility

Any junior enrolled at these high schools: Central, Senior, Skyview, West, Laurel, Huntley Project, Billings Christian and Shepherd are invited to apply.

Students should:

†  -Express an interest in learning more about the Billings area.

†  -Commit to fully participate in the program.

†  -Receive approval from a parent or guardian and high school principal or guidance counselor to participate.

Attendance

Youth Leadership Billings consists of six meetings: a kick-off retreat and five program days. All days run from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Please review the YLB program dates and consult with your parent or guardian and principal or counselor about attendance commitments. Since it is vital to the success of the program that you are present at each meeting to add your perspective and to interact with the others, you are expected to attend all meetings, if selected. However, one excused absence is allowed with prior notice. Your school principal, counselor and/or parents/guardian will be notified of any absences. Attendance at the kick-off retreat is mandatory.

Tuition

A $100 tuition fee is payable to the Billings Chamber of Commerce upon notification of selection. This fee helps to cover the cost of the retreat, programming, materials, meals, and group transportation. If the $100 tuition fee creates an undue hardship for you or your family, need-based scholarships are available. Upon notification of selection to participate in YLB, you will be given the opportunity to apply for financial assistance.

2019-2020 Program Agenda

YLB 2020 will run October 2019 through March 2020. The program days will be held on the third Wednesday each month from 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.  The scheduled dates are shown below. Meals are provided for each program day. To give students a geographic perspective of the Billings area, sessions are held at different locations around the city. Detailed agendas will be provided prior to each meeting.

Kick-off Retreat

Held in October. Students explore and discuss leadership traits through team building and problem solving activities and other exercises that assist the students in getting to know one another. Attendance at the kick-off retreat is mandatory.

Program Days – 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Date Industry Segment Professional Development
October 23rd Kick Off Day Strengths Based Leadership & Goal Setting
November 20th Community & Social Services The Importance of Volunteerism
December 18th Government & Public Safety Financial Literacy
January 22nd History, Culture & Tourism Customer Service
February 26th Healthcare Communications Skills
March 18th Business & Education Employer Expectations & Workplace Conduct

 

Thank you to our Youth Leadership 2020 Sponsors:

Clark Marten Photography

 

Application and Selection Process

The application period for YLB 2020 has closed. Please email jennifer@billingschamber.com with questions.

Forty (40) participants will be selected to participate in YLB 2020.

All high school Juniors in Billings, Laurel, Huntley and Shepherd will receive information on Youth Leadership Billings 2020 from their school counseling office shortly after school is in session this August.

Applicants will participate in a personal interview at their high school with Adult Leadership Billings alumni. Interviews will be scheduled the week following the application deadline.

Participants are selected to participate in the YLB program based upon the sole discretion of the Leadership alumni and such selection is based on certain criteria established by the Billings Chamber. The Chamber reserves the right to establish the selection process in a manner it deems appropriate. However, the selection process explicitly prohibits any and all discrimination based on gender, national origin, race, physical disability or the like.