Program Information

About Leadership Sandy Springs

The mission of Leadership Sandy Springs is “to identify, educate and develop Sandy Springs leaders, and encourage their participation in addressing the needs of our community.” Since its founding in 1986, LSS has graduated more than 400 community leaders. Graduates say that LSS opens doors for civic involvement, career advancement, and increased leadership effectiveness.

Each year, Leadership Sandy Springs forms a class of leaders with diverse backgrounds who have an interest in Sandy Springs. Through a carefully planned series of program days and activities, participants learn about the Sandy Springs area, hear from decision makers, interact with elected officials, business and community leaders, and study issues facing our community.

Many programs and activities that enrich and strengthen our city are outgrowths of Leadership Sandy Springs Community Connections projects. Examples include:

• Movies by Moonlight
• Volunteer for a Better Sandy Springs Day
• Establishment of Sandy Springs Revitalization, Inc.
• Creation of the Youth Enrichment Program at Community Action Center
• Creation of Youth Leadership Sandy Springs program for high school students, which launched in fall 2011

Benefits of Participation

You will:

• Interact with emerging and established leaders in your class and in the community.
• Build a network of contacts and relationships enabling you to extend your sphere of influence.
• Develop an awareness of the challenges and opportunities in the community by examining major issues.
• Develop leadership skills and grow into higher-level roles, both in the work place and in the community.
• Develop opportunities for ongoing involvement and connectivity through alumni events and projects.

Program Requirements and Curriculum

Each class, usually about 30 members, attends a series of events and programs between September and May. The program is comprised of four elements: opening and closing retreats, program days, evening sessions, and community connections projects. Class members are expected to attend and participate in the retreats, program days, evening sessions, and their group project.

Opening and Closing Retreats

• Opening retreat - introduces new members to each other and the program for the year, and focuses on leadership development and team building ,
• Closing retreat- one-day culmination event, serves as a springboard to future community involvement, alumni participation, and further development of leadership skills.

Program Days

• Seven monthly day-long sessions centered on issues and themes important to the Sandy Springs community.
• Sessions include activities and hands-on experiences related to timely topics such as Sandy Springs history, business and community development, environment, education, human services, regional issues, government/public safety, the arts.

Evening Sessions

• Four small-group (5 to 7 class members) dinner meetings, to further explore program day topics, investigate solutions and potential courses of action; facilitated by alumni and other community leaders.
• Three informational class sessions, including public safety night and “State of the City”, hosted by the Mayor.

Community Connections Projects

• Small project groups (5-8 class members) plan and implement community projects, which vary in size and scope, and are designed to enrich and enhance Sandy Springs.
• Community Connections projects provide hands-on opportunities for class members to participate in groups with diverse leadership styles and backgrounds.

Opportunities for Ongoing Alumni Participation

Your class year is the beginning, not the end, of the Leadership Sandy Springs experience. We maintain an active alumni program, and continue to provide our graduates with opportunities for community involvement, education, and networking. Benefits include:

• Alumni are invited to future program days that are of interest.
• Evening study and information sessions such as “State of the City”, special presentation at the Anne Frank museum, and a special public safety presentation by ChatComm .
• Social events at homes, restaurants, and other venues in Sandy Springs provide opportunity for continued networking and connections among graduates.
• Community projects such as Volunteering for a Better Sandy Springs, an annual community service day.
• Ongoing communications such as alumni newsletters, alumni directory, email updates, “members only” website and social media such as Linkedin .

Membership Qualifications

Leadership Sandy Springs seeks a diverse class with respect to several factors, including occupation, race/ethnicity, gender and community involvement. We seek applicants who:

• Demonstrate leadership attributes through career achievement, participation in community activities, or both
• Show a genuine interest in becoming more involved in Sandy Springs
• Live and/or work in Sandy Springs
• Have a willingness to share personal/professional resources/expertise with others in the community
• Value continuous learning and development

Program Tuition

Tuition costs for Leadership Sandy Springs is $1,800. Employers or civic organizations will often sponsor all or part of a participant’s tuition costs. Partial scholarships are offered based on need, and tuition payment plans are available.

Application Process

• Prospective members may be nominated by an LSS alumni, their employer or another sponsoring organization, or they may self-nominate.
• Approximately 30 participants are selected from applications submitted to the Leadership Sandy Springs Selection Committee, which is comprised of alumni and LSS staff.
• Applications are available in late February. Selected applicants are notified in mid to late April. Since the class size is limited, some excellent candidates may not be selected on their first nomination. We strongly encourage candidates to apply again if not selected.