R. David Tebben
Community Leadership Academy

2010 Application     2010 Schedule     Alumni     Committee

The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce announces the 12th annual R. David Tebben Community Leadership Academy for future leaders in the Pekin Area. The mission of the Academy is "To identify, inform and educate existing and emerging leaders of the local community, and to motivate them toward leadership responsibilities by exposing them to the realities, opportunities and challenges of the local community." Features of this year's Academy include:

• Thought-provoking discussions led by Pekin leaders
• Informative field trip and tours
• Networking opportunities

Here's what recent graduates said about their experience...

I looked forward to each meeting and field trip because I was going to learn something new about our community and the people that live and work here.
Aindrea Balagna, Class of 2007, Wolf Tesar & Company

The academy provided me with an opportunity to meet many community leaders, obtain a greater understanding of how the public sector operates, gain exposure to some of the non-profit agencies in the area and become more aware of the many resources available to the public.
Yvonne Burnett, Class of 2009, Pekin Hospital

I never imagined how much I could learn about my own hometown!
Renna Hadsall, Class of 2007, Busey Bank

The Leadership Academy provides great networking opportunities, and at the same time a chance to apply what you learn on a daily basis.
Jeff Livengood, Class of 2008, Herget Bank

The academy provides participants with a unique insight into Pekin at many levels - government, private sector business and public service organizations - that you would not get any other way.
Melida Heien, Class of 2009, Pekin Daily Times

Another benefit was the connections that were made with other community leaders. It is nice to attend community functions and recognize other leaders in attendance.
Sharon Adams, Class of 2008, Pekin Hospital

We were exposed to the major businesses and community organizations, as well as the people that lead them.
Greg Nelson, Class of 2009, City of Pekin

Even though I am a life long Pekinite, I learned so much about my hometown.
John Abel, Class of 2008, Preston Hanley Funeral Homes

The classes were always eventful, fun, and educational.
Fred Lawrence, Class of 2009, American Fire Service

Click the links above for an application and more information or call the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce, 346-2106. Enrollment is limited to 24 participants. Application deadline is December 4th. Academy runs January 7th to March 18th.

Purpose of the Community Leadership Academy
     The Pekin area has been fortunate throughout its history in having strong volunteer leadership from the business and industrial community. These volunteers have been instrumental in the planned growth and development of the community and in the resolution of community problems.
     The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce determined that it was important to provide a training ground for individuals with leadership potential so the community would continue to have a pool of informed, skilled, committed citizens capable of understanding community problems, interpreting the facts, and influencing decisions based on those facts.
     The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce R. David Tebben Community Leadership Academy has been designed to ensure the tradition of strong volunteer leadership in the Pekin area. The program enables business and industry to prepare a limited number of committed citizens each year to assume responsible voluntary positions with non-profit agencies, civic groups, and citizen organizations within the community. Participants are expected to seek out volunteer opportunities and involvement during their leadership academy program participation. Committee members will be happy to assist with volunteer placement.
     The R. David Tebben Community Leadership Academy has not been designed to prepare people for elective office although elected officials could certainly benefit from the knowledge gained through participation.
     The R. David Tebben Community Leadership Academy acquaints participants with a broad spectrum of civic problems; the workings of local government; the challenges facing the community; and the role individuals can play in solving community problems. The insight gained from the academy will help graduates select areas for personal civic involvement by exposing them to opportunities for meaningful participation.

Academy Program
     The R. David Tebben Community Leadership Academy is a series of 10 two-hour sessions, beginning promptly at 7:00 a.m. and continuing to 9:00 a.m., each Thursday morning. A continental breakfast is served from 6:45 to 7:00 a.m. Every session consists of a brief introduction of a fellow "student" that includes information about their job, their company, and personal biography. Remarks are limited to two minutes in length and creativity is encouraged! The remaining time is filled with selected topics of community concern, by expert speakers involved in their field, with open discussion following the presentations. The class is dismissed no later than 9:00 a.m.
      In addition to the classroom sessions, the program includes other required avenues of learning: First, a number of field trips are organized which provide first-hand knowledge of community business, agencies and facilities. They are held every Tuesday, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Second, every participant is required to attend at least two city or county government meetings. Third, every participant is required to attend at least 1 non-profit board meeting and at least one chamber networking event. Fourth, particpants must introduce a fellow student to the class and also present the class with a written and oral report on a not for profit organization.
     Leadership Academy participants who successfully complete all phases of the program are honored at a graduation banquet held at the end of the sessions. Spouses and employers are welcome to attend.

Leadership Academy Staff
     The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors the R. David Tebben Community Leadership Academy. The program is developed and organized by a volunteer steering committee, which prepares all materials and develops the curriculum. A member of the Chamber staff coordinates administrative functions for the programs.
     The academy "faculty" consists of 40 or more tri-county community leaders who volunteer their time to share their expertise with participants.
     Planning for each academy begins in September, and committee members work through March of the following year.

Graduation Policy
     Your enrollment in the program does not automatically guarantee your successful graduation. In order to maintain the high quality and prestige of the leadership academy, compliance with the following graduation requirements is mandatory. It is the responsibility of each participant to make certain each requirement is met.

1. No more than two absences from classroom sessions are allowed. A great deal of the benefit of academy participation derives from these sessions. If a career or personal conflict makes it absolutely necessary for you to miss a class session or tour, we ask that you give prior notification to the Chamber office by calling, 346-2106. CHECK YOUR RADIO OR TV FOR WEATHER RELATED SCHOOL CANCELLATION NOTICES ON TUESDAY OR THURSDAY MORNINGS. WE WILL CANCEL CLASS OR THE TOUR, IF SCHOOL DISTRICT #303 (PCHS) CANCELS SCHOOL.
2. Each participant is required to attend a minimum of five of the field trip opportunities provided. You must attend five but you are encouraged to attend as many as possible. Some of the most memorable learning experiences will come from the field trips, which are specially arranged and escorted to meet academy goals.
3. Each participant is required to attend a minimum of two meetings of any of the following: (a) Pekin City Planning Commission, (b) Pekin City Council, (c) Tazewell County Zoning Board, or (d) Tazewell County Board.
4. Each participant must attend at least one non-profit organization's board meeting. The choice of which meeting to attend will be the option of the student. However, the intent is for the student to choose an organization of most interest to him/her so that the very real possibility of future membership and leadership on that board exists. Many of the participants already serve on a board, but you are encouraged to experience a new organization and add to your knowledge of the community.
5. Each participant is required to attend at least one of the following Chamber networking events: Business After Hours or Puttin On Pekin. The choice of which event to attend will be the option of the student. These events are promoted in the monthly FOCUS or the weekly 'This Week in the Chamber'.
6. Each participant must introduce a classmate to the academy. A schedule of assigned dates for introductions will be made. The introduction is limited to two minutes in length and creativity is encouraged! Missed presentation dates must be made up prior to the final class session.
7. Each participant is expected to actively participate in the question and answer session following the speakers' presentations. Although 7:00 a.m. is early, you are expected to listen attentively and critically to the speakers. You are encouraged to question points you do not understand or with which you do not agree.
8. Each participant must complete an evaluation form at the end of every program and tour. This survey asks for your honest opinion of the topics and speakers of that day's presentation, and field trips. Your input is used to design future sessions.
9. Each participant must complete a written and oral report on a not-for-profit organization. Specifics of the report and organization assignments will be made in the first class.

Graduation Banquet
Everyone who successfully meets the requirements for graduation will be honored at a banquet. You may invite your spouse, friend, and/or employer to attend with you; there will be a charge for each guest. Reservations for the graduation banquet must be made no later than week eight of the class sessions. Final details of the banquet will be given at a later date.