Application Information

Leadership Dayton is a program of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce dedicated to the development of a network of life-long community servant leaders for the benefit of the greater Dayton area and the chamber’s member organizations.

Program Commitment:

Leadership Dayton is a ten-month long educational program for business leaders already acting as servant leaders in our community. The program begins with a two-day retreat to turn a group of individuals into a cohesive network of empowered community leaders. Each month one day is dedicated to a specific issue or challenge the greater Dayton area faces. The program ends with a one-day retreat and Commencement Ceremony. Program dates and topics can be reviewed below.

Each program day is a unique experience that cannot be recreated. Because of this, Leadership Dayton has strict attendance requirements. The participant is required to attend, in their entirety, the opening and closing retreats and program days. In addition, the program participant will be required to participate in their class project, which may necessitate additional hours outside of the Leadership Dayton Program time. If the program participant fails to meet these obligations, he or she will be asked to withdraw from the program and the tuition is non-refundable.

Both the Leadership Dayton applicant and their sponsoring organization must commit to ensuring the applicant can fulfill the requirements of the program.

Class Norms:

Attendance at both retreats is mandatory to participate in the program. Program Day attendance is required. In case of a work or family emergency or personal illness, a class member may miss up to 2 (two) Program Days. Leadership Dayton program manager, Nicki Royce (937-226-8278), must be notified in advance of any absence. Promptness is important for the Program Days to start and end on time and to be respectful of others’ time. If you are 1 (one) hour late to a Program Day session it will count as a ½-day absence. Leaving a Program Day early will also count as a ½-day absence. During the retreats and Program Days the participant’s cell phones or other electronic communication devices will be turned off or set to a silent mode. Phone calls and other forms of communication will be limited to break times only.

Each class is specifically created to be a balance of all types of leaders, professionals, and occupations to reflect our community. Leadership Dayton is not ‘Leadership 101’. Each program participant will have significant leadership experience as community servant leaders. Respecting one another regardless of our differences is a core value of the Leadership Dayton Program. All program participants are expected to respect each other’s ideas and opinions and are encouraged to hold each other accountable. Each participant will respect the facilitator, Day Chairs, speakers, and everyone at the hosting organization. Sponsors generously spend money and grant time away from the office so program participants can have a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience. Every participant is expected to show their appreciation to their sponsor. Violators of the class norms or other Leadership Dayton rules will be asked to leave the program without refund.

Candidate Requirements:

• Proven leadership and leader experience within their organization.
• Proven community servant leadership experience as a volunteer.
• A passion for improving the greater Dayton community through volunteer service.
• A commitment to leading and working together with others in the community to achieve community goals.
• A commitment to being a life-long community servant leader.
• A commitment to wholly participating in the Leadership Dayton program.
• Their sponsoring organization will have a commitment to fully supporting their employee’s participation in the program.

If an interested potential candidate doesn’t currently meet these requirements, the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Dayton encourage the candidate to gain the necessary experience and apply again. There are many opportunities readily available for those interested in becoming community servant leaders, including Generation Dayton, a not-for-profit Board of Governors/Trustees/Directors position and volunteer openings on not-for-profit committees to support a one-time event or on-going involvement.

In addition, engaging informal mentors who have either been through the Leadership Dayton program or have other leadership experience is a good way to learn more about becoming involved in improving the greater Dayton area.

Not-for-profit candidate tuition assistance:

Tuition assistance for Leadership Dayton candidates may only be requested by applicants meeting the following criteria:

• Employed by a not-for-profit organization or a self-paying individual.
• The not-for-profit organization must receive less than $5 million in annual revenue.
• Candidate is the only applicant from their organization.
• Candidate’s organization is in good membership standing with the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce

NOTE: Tuition assistance is based on the availability of scholarship funds. The average assistance is approximately $500.

Class of 2025:

• Non-Refundable Application Fee – $50*
• Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce Members – $3,300
• Non-Members – $5,000

Leadership Dayton 2025 Program Dates (.pdf)
Leadership Dayton 2025 Letter of Commitment (.pdf)
<!–Leadership Dayton 2020 Program Dates (.pdf)
Leadership Dayton 2020 Letter of Commitment (.pdf)–>

*Application Fee Due by March 22, 2024, in order to be accepted.

Class of 2025 tuition payments must be paid by July 26, 2024.

Please login to the Member Hub to pay your tuition via My Info > Billing > Open Invoices. If you have not yet created an account, just click the “Create an Account” option.

Note: New accounts will be notified when your access level has been assigned to enable you to make online payments.  If you need to pay by check, you can download your invoice from the Member Hub and mail your check with your invoice.