Patterned after community leadership programs across the country, Leadership Aberdeen is a comprehensive workshop for current and potential leaders to analyze characteristics associated with leadership, develop individual skills, and gather an awareness of trends, challenges, and issues that face Aberdeen and the region.

Leadership Aberdeen seeks a diverse group of participants of varying interest and styles across the broad spectrum of achievement from the region. Of the 350 alumni, graduates have served on the Aberdeen school board, city and county commissions, and for the Chamber of Commerce. Many have assumed leadership in civic and community groups and in their professional roles.

Applicants to the program must live or work in the Northeastern South Dakota region and agree to attend the orientation retreat and all weekly sessions. Leadership Aberdeen classes will consist of no more than 30 participants selected through a confidential application process by the Leadership Committee. Acceptance is based on the following criteria:

*A demonstrated commitment to the region
*A demonstrated desire to better understand and improve leadership skills
* Interest in future community involvement
* Willingness to commit to approximately 60 hours to the program by attending sessions

Tuition
Tuition is $600 for Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce members and $800 for non-members, payable in advance of program start date. Tuition covers all program costs, including materials, meals, Aberdeen attire, and transportation.

Scholarships
Avera St. Luke's offers the Dale Stein Scholarship for non-profit organizations and scholarships may be available to those who would otherwise be unable to provide tuition through the Leadership Aberdeen Business Partners. Please contact the Chamber for more information.

Refund Policy
If a registered participant must withdraw from the program before beginning, the Chamber will refund the paid tuition. If a participant begins the program, then withdraws, only a portion of tuition paid may be refunded.

Commitment
Participants are expected to attend all sessions in the belief that everyone brings their unique experience to the program. Please consider your availability if you should be selected to participate.

To Register
Registrations for the 2009 program will be available beginning October 2008.

The Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce Marketing Committee has an annual, limited budget for Marketing Grants distributed on an application basis. The Marketing Grant Program developed because of the increasing number of requests received at the Chamber to sponsor events, purchase advertising, etc. Instead of spending funds in this manner, the Chamber utilizes the Marketing Grant to support events that are beneficial to Aberdeen. This allows the grant recipient to make the decision on the best use of marketing funds for their project or event.

Marketing grants are intended to help underwrite the execution of new projects or events or for the expansion of existing projects and events in the Aberdeen community. The overall goal of a successful grant is to help account for the growth in awareness, increased participation by target audiences, and general improved success of the applicant's event or promotion. Grant dollars must be used for promoting the project or event through advertising media expenses, design and production services, direct mail and postage, etc.

Click here to download the Grant application and evaluation form in Microsoft Word format