Dear LWS Flagship 2026 Applicant,
We are thrilled by your interest in our program. This is a highly competitive program, and we encourage you to apply early. We look forward to reviewing your submission.
Please read the following information carefully. Fields with an asterisk (*) are required.
Employer Support and Approval
Please ensure you consult with the person authorized to approve and support your participation in this program. We recommend speaking with the individual at the highest level of approval to confirm they are aware of your interest or nomination, and to determine if there is a formal nomination process within your organization.
Before you start the application, it is required to upload your Employer Statement of Support (ESS) OR if you are self-employed or not employed at this time, your Independent Candidate Responsibility Statement (ICRS) before submitting your application . Please select the link that applies to your situation:
- Employer Statement of Support: Email the ESS to your employer to complete by copying the URL that appears in the browser after you click this link. Once they complete and submit the form, a PDF copy will be emailed to you automatically which you can then upload with this application. A completed ESS must be received with your application to consider you for the program.
- Independent Candidate Responsibility Statement: Click here to complete the form. Once you complete and submit the form, a PDF copy will be emailed to you automatically which you can then attach to this application. A completed ICRS must be received with your application to consider you for the program.
In addition to entering your professional biography of 150 words or less, you will be prompted to answer the following essay questions:
- Why are you interested in the Flagship program and what do you hope to gain from participation? (150 words or less)
- What do you think is the most critical community issue in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County? Tell us at least one solution you would propose to solve the problem. (200 words or less)
- Describe your involvement in relational organizations that deeply impact you (community service organizations, fraternity or sorority orgs, social orgs, faith-based orgs, etc.). (150 words or less)
- Briefly describe your most enlightening learning experience working with people who had perspectives that differ from your own. Tell us what you learned about yourself and others in the process. (200 words or less)
We recommend that you begin working on the essay portion of your application once you have sent the ESS link to your employer since this typically takes a little while to retrieve the ESS from your supervisor. Text editor applications such as TextEdit or Notepad can be used to craft and save your responses should you encounter any difficulties with your submission.
Flagship Attendance Policy
The LWS program attendance policy requires participants to complete the program successfully by attending at least 11 of the 13 program days. The following scheduled program days are mandatory (unexcusable) for participation in the program: Opening Retreat (October 1-2), Closing Session (June 3), and Celebration (June 4). See this page for a list of all of the program days. It is highly recommended that you lock these dates into your calendars now to avoid scheduling conflicts. Exceptions apply for extreme circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Participants must notify the Program Director of situations immediately. Cases are subject to review and final approval by the LWS Program and Executive Directors.
Our attendance policy allows for one excused absence per program year without consequence, excluding the mandatory events outlined above. If a participant exceeds two full days of absence, they will be withdrawn from the class. There is no refund for withdrawals from class after the payment deadline or start of the program.
Program Day Tardiness and Attendance Interruptions
Tardies and work-related interrruptions are discouraged due to the LWS transport required for program days and the early start of program day activities. If a participant arrives late at the start of the day or is absent for more than one hour during a session on three (3) occasions within a program year, these occurrences will be counted as a full day of absence.
Action Learning Project
As a requirement of this program, participants also commit to be actively engaged on an Action Learning Project team for the year. Attendance at planning meetings is required and the schedule is set by the team members to ensure active engagement. On average, each participant should expect to invest up to six (6) hours monthly in pre-day activities and action learning team project work (this will vary based on each project team’s meeting choices).
Application Deadline
This application is due no later than June 13, 2025.
Flagship Program Tuition
The 2025-2026 Leadership Winston-Salem Flagship program tuition is $3,000. Once you are notified of your acceptance into the Flagship program, payment is due on or before August 31, 2025. Leadership Winston-Salem can provide a limited amount of program tuition assistance to eligible candidates who demonstrate a financial hardship that would prevent program participation. More information regarding program fee assistance will be provided to accepted candidates.
Save Your Progress
If you need more time to complete the form, you can save it at any time by clicking the "Save" button at the bottom of the page. You can return to finish the form at your convenience. When you click "Save," you will be prompted to create a Jotform account, which makes it easy to return to your saved work. Please note that you must complete your application within 30 days after you begin, or it will be automatically deleted.
If you have any technical issues with this form or its submission, please contact the LWS Administrative, Technology & Finance Director Jared Steward, at 336-723-1002 x1200 or jsteward@leadershipws.org.