By submission of this form, you confirm that you have carefully read and agree to all requirements and instructions contained herein and that you will commit the necessary time and resources to complete the program.
1. Attendance: To graduate from Leadership Arkansas, a participant is expected to attend all sessions in their entirety. Attendance at the FULL Orientation Session and Graduation is mandatory. Failure to attend Orientation in full requires withdrawal from the program. No more than two absences during the other seven remaining sessions are allowed. More than two absences will result in the participant’s automatic withdrawal from the program and no refunds will be given. Lunches and dinners are part of the program and often will have speakers / panel scheduled during the meal. Attendance during the meals is required.
There are no “excused absences” for sessions unless for a personal emergency – the Board of Directors’ policy is that missing more than the number of sessions outlined here results in an unrecoverable loss of content and class interaction, even if due to work.
2. Non-Refundable Tuition: If a participant withdraws or is dismissed from the program at any time or for whatever reason, that participant shall not be entitled to have any portion of his or her tuition refunded. Tuition is not transferrable from one year to the next.
3. Schedule:Participants are required to attend at least 80% of the program sessions, including the entire orientation and graduation, which are mandatory. The 2026-2027 program year is tentatively scheduled as listed above. Any changes to the schedule will be communicated to the class participants in a timely manner. The schedule also lives on the website if you did not save it from the application. Not knowing a date is not an excuse. Times are subject to change at the discretion of the speakers and tours we are granted access to, therefore we ask that you block BOTH days in their entirety and the Program Director will provide a detailed timeline as soon as it is completed.
4. Conduct: Participants are neither employees nor agents of Leadership Arkansas / Arkansas State Chamber but are expected to conform to basic standards of conduct as a condition of their affiliation with Leadership Arkansas / Arkansas State Chamber. Any conduct that discriminates, threatens, intimidates, or coerces on any basis a fellow participant, Leadership Arkansas employee, volunteer, visitor, or a member of the public involved in Leadership Arkansas activities at any time, including not only Leadership Arkansas sessions as described above, but also non-business and/or purely social functions associated with the Leadership Arkansas program, will not be tolerated and will result in immediate dismissal from the program. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, all acts of inappropriate conduct as described above or discrimination, including harassment or discrimination that is based on an individual’s gender, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Any individual who believes he or she has been subject to conduct in violation of this policy should immediately report his or her concern to the Leadership Arkansas Program Director, or alternatively, if the complaint involves a Leadership Arkansas Program Director, to the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/AIA President. The organization will follow the process outlined in the state whistleblower policy.
5. Overnight Accommodations: As outlined in the application information, tuition covers all expenses except your individual travel to and from each session and overnight accommodations. You will be responsible for making your own reservations at the identified hotel or location for each session. (Lodging details will be available from the Program Director and in all cases, a Leadership Arkansas Block will be arranged at the hotel.) To facilitate travel during each session and interaction with your classmates, participants are expected to stay at the host hotel unless the session is in or within a short driving distance of the participant(s) home. (It is expected that you WILL ride the bus to AND from all locations. Failure to do so will constitute as an absence. Should you need to make other accomodations you must discuss with the Program Director PRIOR to the session.)
6. Meals & Special Needs: If you have dietary restrictions, food allergies, medical conditions or any other special needs, please be sure to list on the appropriate part of this application so that necessary arrangements can be made to ensure the best possible experience for your participation in this program.
7. Electronic Devices: As a courtesy to speakers and fellow participants, mobile devices should be in silent mode during sessions and their use limited to emergencies and / or photo taking when allowed.
It is the expectation upon selection for the class that you will be present and attentive during the sessions, and respectful of the speakers time. Please look at the agenda ahead of time and schedule calls during bus rides, breaks and meal times (if there are no speakers).
Also as a courtesy to the speakers, facilitators and classmates it is not appropriate to have your laptop out working on personal work during class time - therefore NO LAPTOPS will be allowed during tours or speakers. Please manage expectations within your offices, and schedule any needed 'work time' during bus rides, breaks or meal times (if there are no speakers)... in other words they are allowed on the bus but MUST remain on the bus.
8. Guests: The program year is designed for you and your classmates and designated Leadership Arkansas alumni. Please do not invite guests to attend Leadership Arkansas activities. Leadership Arkansas alumni are invited to attend sessions to serve as hosts / hostesses. There will be a few opportunities where you can bring a guest and those will be shared with class members during the Orientation for planning purposes.
9. Participation: You are strongly encouraged to participate and share your thoughts and views during each session. Remember, speakers often need to be challenged to get to the “meat of the issue.” To maximize class participation, please allow others to speak if you have already spoken so that every voice can be heard.
10. Confidentiality: Candid discussions and exchanges of opinions and ideas are made possible by the expectation that participants will treat all comments made during any program session as confidential. Participants agree to treat the comments of session speakers, presenters, and participants as confidential. While participants are free to share ideas that they learn with non-participants, participants agree that they will not attribute to any speaker the substance of any such comments from a program session to non-participants.
No recording devices are allowed in the private sessions.
11. Evaluations: To continuously improve the Leadership Arkansas program, you will be asked to complete an end of the year evaluation form. Your cooperation in this evaluation is most appreciated and will help to serve future classes.
12 Attire: Dress for Leadership Arkansas sessions is generally casual business attire. No t-shirts please. Sessions often include facility tours with strict safety regulations that require wardrobe restrictions that must be adhered too. Most often this includes long pants, with flat, completely closed and covered shoes - and often long sleeves. Session agendas will be distributed in advance and will include requirements for appropriate attire. Failure to adhere to the wardrobe requirements as laid out by the facilities will result in not being allowed to participate in the tour. The December session will require full business attire for men and women to be able to participate in the exercise at the State Capitol, and cocktail attire for a special event during that session. The Graduation Ceremony and Luncheon will also require business attire.
13. Inclement Weather: The policy is that we will still meet if there is inclement weather but it is safe to do so. In the event of snow or ice, email the Leadership Arkansas Program Director for further details, (479) 409-4389. If it is not possible to safely convene for the scheduled session all efforts will be made to reschedule at the earliest time.
15. Emergency Contact: If, after close of business on the day before the beginning of session, you wish to contact or leave a message with Leadership Arkansas regarding your participation in that week’s activities, contact Toni Lindsey via email at tlindsey@arkansasstatechamber.com or by text at (479) 409-4389.