Applications for the 2009-2010 Premier Program year will be available Spring 2009!

Selection Criteria

1. Application to Leadership Howard County (LHC) is open to persons living or working in Howard County. Each year, LHC accepts approximately 40 individuals to participate in the program.

2. LHC seeks representation in each class from a cross-section of the community---business, labor, education, the arts, religion, government, community-based organizations, and ethnic & minority groups.

3. Applicants may be nominated by a graduate of LHC or by another community leader, or may nominate themselves.

4. Applicants must have the full support (financial and time commitment) of the organization or corporation they represent.

5. Applications are reviewed, and applicants are selected, by LHCs Selection Committee. The Committee evaluates each applicant based upon the merits of their written application and, in most instances, a personal interview.

6. In reviewing applications, the Selection Committee looks for potential participants who demonstrate the following criteria:

a. Commitment & Participation.

i) A sincere concern about the future of Howard County and a demonstrated motivation to serve its community.

ii) A demonstrated commitment through past and present community involvement and/or volunteer activities. What is the number of hours usually dedicated to volunteer work over the past year? If there is little history of past involvement, what has changed to allow more time now and also in the future to give back to the community after the LHC program?

iii) A history of follow-through on committees, projects, etc. which demonstrate a willingness to become involved in LHC and in volunteer leadership in Howard County.

b. Leadership.

i) A demonstrated capacity for leadership within applicants own organization through significant achievements relative to age and experience.

ii) Ongoing and recent capabilities to foster a common vision; communicates with and inspires others toward a specific direction and priorities; creates effective work teams; and promotes collaboration.

iii) Ability to set goals resulting in achievement (professional and community).

c. Issues.

i) A policy-shaping responsibility or position of leadership in employment and/or volunteer organizations resulting in the potential to have significant influence on important issues facing the community.

ii) Applicant understands the complexities of socio-economic, racial, political, etc. diversities in Howard County. Do applicants responses show depth of understanding? Are they thoughtful and insightful?

d. Experience, Education, Horsepower & Skill Sets. Consider the whole person, their level of accomplishment and desire to extend beyond. Look at their formal education. What diverse skill set and experience does/would this person contribute to the class? Does ongoing education and/or consistent demonstration of self-improvement/learning count more than degree(s)?

7. If an applicant is accepted into the program and either (i) does not accept or (ii) accepts and is then forced to drop-out of the program, there is no guarantee that the applicant will be accepted into the program in subsequent years.