“Embedded within the Leadership Springfield program is a sense of community involvement. Whether it is participation in the United Way allocations process or serving on a Chamber of Commerce committee, many of the volunteers will have graduated from the Leadership Springfield program.”
- Cliff Davis, vice president for Institutional Development, Ozarks Technical Community College, Class V
Academy
Established in 1990 as a project of Leadership Springfield, the Academy is open to juniors from nine Springfield public and private high schools. Thirty-two students are selected each year for a shortened version of the adult program. Initial funding for the project during the first four classes was provided by the Southeast Rotary, Sunrise Rotary Club and Springfield Rotary Club. The Leadership Springfield Golf Tournament and program day sponsors are now the main funding sources for the Academy.
The program goals of the academy are:
- To provide exposure to community structure and issues.
- To provide interaction between developing leaders and the established leaders of today.
- To develop personal skills needed for future roles as leaders.
- To emphasize the importance of community service.
- To harness the enthusiasm of youth to help solve local problems.
