Leadership Williston Application - 2026

Welcome, we are excited for you to take this next step in your leadership journey!

Leadership Williston (LW) is an 8-month program centered on cultivating leaders through community engagement and exploration and professional development, divided into four main components:
  1. Leadership Skills: Giving our future leaders the tools that they need to succeed is of highest priority in the 2025 Leadership Williston program. The Williston Area Chamber of Commerce, Western Star Foundation, program director, and other partners have worked to identify leadership skills that are important to instill in our current and future leaders. Each month you will have a 90-minute session with a community leader to learn about leadership skills. 
  2. Community Tour or Panel: The program is designed to expose existing and emerging leaders to the issues our region faces by using the community as a living classroom. LW strives to provide a broad experience to participants by covering topics each month like education, city and county government, the oil and agricultural industries, and more. Over eight sessions, LW challenges participants to become involved in our community and motivate them into leadership roles.
  3. Public Speaking: Participants will tackle personal goals through the public speaking program. Each session will also cover an aspect of leadership through discussion, presentations, etc. 
  4. Community Projects: Finally, each participant will be tasked with developing an individual or group project that directly benefits our community.

For nearly 30 years, LW has provided a unique avenue to challenge leaders from all walks of life and industry in Williston. Do you have what it takes?

Please review the Leadership Williston Program Goals, Expectations, and Schedule before completing your application.

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Applications are due by 11:59pm on Saturday, November 30, 2025.

Applicants will be contacted prior to December 5th to set up an informal interview the week of December 8th. 

Upon review of applications and interviews, successful applicants will be notified by January 1, 2025 and invoiced for tuition at that time (unless prior arrangements exist). Tuition payment must be received prior to the start of Leadership Williston

Please direct questions to the Chamber at 701.577.6000 or email wchamber@willistonchamber.com.

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Eligibility: 
To be eligible, an applicant’s employer must be a current member of the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce (WACC). If you are unsure of your employer’s status, please check the Member Directory at willistonchamber.com or call the Chamber at 701.577.6000.

Ten (10) participants will be chosen to participate in Leadership Williston. The program seeks diversity in regard to age, gender, education, employment sector, professional experience, interests, and talents.

Desired Participants:

• Have participated/do participate in community and professional activities and organizations

• Are able to attend all sessions and program events

• Are dedicated to personal and professional growth

Please note: While this is a leadership development program, you are not required to hold a current leadership position in your organization. 

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Tuition
The cost of Leadership Williston is $500 (covers materials, issue day costs, and meals).

In addition to time and dedication, LW requires a financial commitment. Program tuition is $500 per participant. Tuition is generally covered by a participant’s employer.

Tuition includes all course materials, session costs, and meals. 

Full payment of tuition is due by January 28, 2026 unless other arrangements are made. If you are unable to complete the program, or fail to meet attendance requirements, tuition will not be reimbursed. 

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CADENCE: 
  • Meet the fourth Wednesday of each month, January through September
  • 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    • This is subject to change based on the day. The program director will communicate with all participants ahead of each session and will have clear instructions regarding time and location, highlighting any notable changes in the timing. 
  • Lunch is provided at every session

EACH SESSION WILL INCLUDE FOUR COMPONENTS:

  1. Leadership Lessons
  2. Speech
  3. Project Updates/Review 
  4. Community Tour or Panel 

These may include and are not limited to:

  • City/County Government
  • Economic Development
  • Political Involvement
  • Health 
  • Education 
  • Law Enforcement
  • Ethics
  • Airport Operations 
  • Emergency Services 
  • City Planning 
  • Public Works

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PROGRAM GOALS:

  • Encourage participants to develop long-lasting relationships with other leaders.
  • Offer educational opportunities to discover the inner workings of the community and challenges facing the region.
  • Familiarize participants with skills and tools to support effective and adaptive leadership
  • Challenge participants to improve their communication skills through public speaking experience. 
  • Foster community improvement through participant-designed and led community enhancement projects.
  • Create connections with community leaders and develop leadership skills

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Expectations:

  1. Attend and Be Engaged in All Sessions
    1. Attendance is mandatory at all eight (8) regularly scheduled sessions and is required for graduation from the program. Any absence must be approved by the WACC President & CEO and/or the Program Director. Please review the schedule below carefully to identify any conflicts before continuing with this application.
    2. 2026 Schedule:
      1. January 28th 
      2. February 25th 
      3. March 25th 
      4. April 22nd 
      5. May 27th 
      6. June 24th 
      7. July 22nd 
      8. August 26th 
      9. September 23rd (Graduation)
  2. Community Project
    1. The community project is intended to make a positive impact on the community while fostering creativity, collaboration, and personal growth.  Scale and scope of projects vary, but all must serve a community need and provide opportunity for the participant to demonstrate or develop planning, organization and leadership skills. Projects can be carried out as a group or individually. Project completion is mandatory for graduation. 
  3. Public Speech Training
    1. Instruction and practice in public speaking is intended to provide experience, build confidence and grow capacity in public speaking skills.  Participants are expected to prepare and deliver public speeches to their peers, as assigned by the speech director.


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This is typically the organization that you are employed by. 

Please answer the following question in 500 characters or less

Please answer the following question in 500 characters or less

A key component of the Leadership Williston program are projects dedicated to addressing needs or issues in our community. Please answer the following question in 500 characters or less. 

Please answer the following question in 500 characters or less

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I understand that successful completion of the Leadership Williston program requires my active and full participation. This includes orientation, all sessions, completing a project, and graduation. I understand that some out-of-session work is required, and that public speaking training is a program element. I will demonstrate professional courtesy by being punctual at each session and focusing my energy on the session’s topic.


I will meet the following Leadership Williston Participant Expectations:
• Participants will be prompt and attentive. Each day begins at 8:30AM.
• Participants will attend all sessions.
• Participants will complete a project that addresses a need or issue in the Williston Community.

• Participants will prepare and deliver all required speeches
• Participants and employers understand that tuition will not be refunded if I am is released from the program.