Leadership Council Bluffs

Empowering emerging leaders to serve and shape the future of the Council Bluffs community.

Leadership Council Bluffs Class of 39 Applications Open March 20th!

About Leadership Council Bluffs

Leadership Council Bluffs is a premier community leadership development program designed to equip emerging and established leaders with the knowledge, connections, and civic awareness needed to strengthen Council Bluffs and Southwest Iowa.

Leadership Council Bluffs brings emerging leaders face-to-face with the issues, institutions, and people shaping our community.

Participants explore the challenges and opportunities facing Council Bluffs while building the knowledge and relationships needed to engage as informed civic leaders.

Purpose:
Leadership Council Bluffs identifies and engages emerging leaders who care deeply about the future of Council Bluffs. More importantly, the program challenges them to better understand the issues affecting our community.

Focus:

Civic awareness
Community issues
Meaningful engagement with local leaders, organizations, and institutions.

Format:
Leadership Council Bluffs emphasizes hands-on learning. Participants gain behind-the-scenes access to key community sectors through immersive site visits, candid conversations with local leaders, and a collaborative Community Trustee Project.

Community Leadership Program in Council Bluffs, Iowa

Leadership CB Class 38

Ideal Candidates

Who Should Apply?

Leadership Council Bluffs is designed for individuals who want to better understand their community and actively contribute to its future.

Ideal candidates demonstrate:

A strong interest in serving the Council Bluffs community
Previous volunteer or leadership experience (preferred)
Curiosity about the issues, organizations, and decisions shaping our community
A desire to collaborate and build relationships with local leaders
A commitment to growing as an informed and engaged civic leader
Diversity in background, industry, and perspective

Note: One participant per organization per year. Acceptance is competitive. Notifications will be sent prior to the Chamber’s Mid-Year Meeting.

Participation Requirements

Attendance

Participants are expected to attend all scheduled sessions, including the two-day Opening Retreat and the Closing Retreat. Consistent attendance is essential to maintaining the strength of the cohort experience. Excessive or unexcused absences may result in removal from the program.

Engagement

Active participation is essential to the Leadership Council Bluffs experience. Participants are expected to engage fully in discussions, site visits, and group activities throughout the program.

Community Project

Each participant must complete a Community Trustee Project, which requires additional time outside of scheduled sessions. This project allows participants to apply what they learn while creating meaningful impact in the Council Bluffs community.

Service

Graduates are encouraged to remain involved through the Leadership Council Bluffs Alumni Association and continued service in the community. The program is intended to be the beginning of long-term civic engagement in Council Bluffs.

Selection Process

Applications for Leadership Council Bluffs open on March 20 and close on May 3. Individuals may apply directly through the online application.

All applications are reviewed by a selection committee made up of community and program leaders. Applicants are evaluated based on their commitment to the Council Bluffs community, leadership potential, civic engagement, and their interest in learning more about the issues and opportunities shaping our community.

The committee also considers the overall composition of the class to ensure a diverse mix of industries, professional backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Leadership Council Bluffs is strongest when the cohort reflects the broad community it serves.

Applicants will be notified of their selection status by June 1. Those accepted into the program will be publicly announced at the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce Mid-Year Meeting on June 24.

Each year, many qualified individuals apply for Leadership Council Bluffs, often more than the 20 participants selected for the class. It is not uncommon for strong candidates to apply more than once before being accepted.

Program Costs

The Leadership Council Bluffs tuition fee is $1,600. This fee covers the cost of program materials, meals, site visits, speakers, and experiences throughout the nine-month program, including the Opening Retreat and monthly session days, as well as participation in the annual Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce Mid-Year Meeting, where the class will graduate. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from session locations.

A limited number of Leadership Council Bluffs Alumni Association scholarships may be available to help offset a portion of the tuition cost for qualified applicants after they are selected into the program. The scholarship application will be made available upon acceptance into the program. If awarded, the scholarship reduces the participant’s tuition. Applying for scholarship assistance will not influence the selection process.

Many employers choose to sponsor or cover the tuition for their employee to participate in Leadership Council Bluffs, recognizing it as an investment in professional development and civic leadership that benefits both the individual and the broader Council Bluffs community. We strongly encourage applicants to speak with their employer about potential support before applying.