2027 Leadership West Kentucky Application

2027 APPLICATION

Class #5
The West Kentucky Regional Chamber Alliance (WKRCA) is coordinating Leadership West Kentucky as a regional program seeking to build a network of informed citizens connected across community lines. Curriculum includes leadership development, education on issues facing the region, relationship-building and awareness of the uniqueness of each county. It is to instill pride in the region and focus on encouraging participants to be active in their region/community in Western Kentucky and help make positive change and “be a changemaker in their community.”

Counties represented by the West Kentucky Regional Chamber Alliance include:

Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken and Trigg.

Eligibility:

Applicants must either work or live in one of the counties identified above. If the county they reside in has a local Leadership program, it is highly recommended they participate in their local program before applying for LWK. We are looking for participants who are active in their local community and willing to commit the time to actively participate in LWK. Attention will be given to reflect the diversity of the region’s local communities.

Participants will be chosen by a Selection Committee appointed by the WKRCA Board and based upon the information completed on the application. The Committee will be seeking a diverse class, professionally, geographically, ethnically and gender-wise. The goal is to have representation from all 15 counties.

Selection Process/Dates:

Applications must be completed and returned with additional required materials by no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, December 4, 2026. Notifications will be made no later than December 18. Applicants should review the dates of the class to ensure there are no major conflicts and tentatively hold those dates.

Structure:

The program will begin with a mandatory orientation to kick off the program on January 20th & 21st, 2027 and meet for a full day’s session each month from February – June. Class members will travel each month to the featured area with a focus on that community as well as regional topics such as transportation, education, economic development, quality of life, advocacy, agriculture and tourism. These topics will be covered by knowledgeable speakers and panels, tours, interactive exercises and class discussions.

Requirements:

Attendance at the January overnight Orientation in Paducah is mandatory. Orientation is unique and requires a higher standard of attendance than regular program sessions. Any absence of any portion (greater than one hour) of Orientation may result in such class member not being able to participate in the LWK program, subject to review of extenuating circumstances.

Leadership West Kentucky requires a strict time commitment. Class members must attend a minimum of 80 percent of all sessions. Any participant missing more than two regular full day sessions, in half-day increments, will not be eligible to graduate from the program. No refunds will be given.

Session Dates - Program schedule is listed below. If you have conflicts with these dates, it is recommended you wait and apply another year.

Program Schedule:

January 19 - (optional) Department of Energy site visit and dinner in Paducah

January 20 and 21 (regular session) - Orientation in Paducah

February 25 - TBD

March 25 - TBD

April 22 - TBD

May 27 - TBD

June 23 (optional) Fort Campbell site visit

June 24 - Graduation in Hopkinsville

Place and Time:

Sessions will last an average of eight hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Sessions will be located throughout the region. Times and locations will be sent one week prior to each session. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to the sessions.

Cost:

Tuition for LWK is $850. Participant is responsible for any overnight lodging required including the orientation, and their own transportation to the county for each month’s session.

Scholarships:

A limited number of partial scholarships may be available. If financial assistance is requested, applicants will need to attach a letter officially requesting a scholarship and stating the reasons. The scholarship request must accompany the completed application to be considered. Requests for scholarship assistance are completely confidential. (Note: no full scholarships will be awarded.)
NOTE: If you elect to save the application to finish later, MAKE SURE you receive the email with the link to re-enter it BEFORE you close out of the application!

You'll see a "JotForm" box - click the small print at the bottom that says "Skip Create an Account".
Name

First NameLast Name
Email (all program info will be sent here throughout the year)
example@example.com
Business/Employer
Your company's name
Your Title
Years Employed Here
Briefly describe your responsibilities at this employer

0/50
Business Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Business Phone
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Cell/Mobile
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Length of Residence in the Purchase/Pennyrile
List all Counties of Affiliation where you live or work
Home Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Have you participated in another leadership program? If so, where?

0/100
Biography - please provide a brief bio in third person for distribution to the class at Orientation

0/200
Previous Employment (Company/Position/Date)

0/100
What do you consider your highest career achievements to date?

0/150

Leadership Experience - Leaders step up when necessary. Tell us about an experience or situation in which you assumed a leadership role. What prompted your role as a leader, what actions did you take and what were the results of those actions? (500 word limit)

0/500
How do you plan to use your experience as a member of the Leadership West Kentucky Class?

0/500
A leader thinks proactively to address issues in the community. What is the one major issue facing West Kentucky about which you are passionate? Why? What recommendations do you have for addressing this issue?

0/600

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required to support your application. Please have these letters addressed to Leadership West Kentucky Selection Committee and attach before submitting your application. Below, list the two individuals who are submitting your letters.
Letter #1 from:

First NameLast Name
Letter #1 Business
Letter #1 Business Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Letter #1 Phone
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Letter #2 from:

First NameLast Name
Letter #2 Business
Letter #2 Business Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Letter #2 Phone
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Recommendation Letter #2 (must be in pdf format)

Cancelof
Recommendation Letter #1 (must be in pdf format)

Cancelof
Headshot

Cancelof
Scholarship Request

A limited number of partial scholarships may be available. If financial assistance is requested, applicants will need to attach a letter officially requesting a scholarship and stating the reasons. The scholarship request must accompany the completed application to be considered. Requests for scholarship assistance are completely confidential. (Note: no full scholarships will be awarded.)
Scholarship Request Letter

Cancelof

Participant Commitment

To graduate from Leadership West Kentucky, a participant is expected to attend all full-day sessions. Even though emergencies do arise, any participant missing more than two full-day sessions, in half-day increments, will not graduate from the program (please review attendance policy.) Tuition fees are non-refundable. Attendance at the overnight Orientation is mandatory. Because of this time commitment, it is important that an applicant have the full support of his/her employer.

I understand the requirements of the Leadership West Kentucky program and confirm both my signature below and on the last page detailing the attendance policy. If I am selected, I will accept the opportunity and commit to participate in Leadership West Kentucky.
Signature
Employer Commitment (if applicable)

This applicant has my approval and full support to participate in all the full day sessions required for graduation from Leadership West Kentucky.
Company/Organization
Supervisor Name

First NameLast Name
Supervisor Email
example@example.com

CHECK LIST

_____Application completed in full

_____Recommendation letters (2) attached

_____Headshot to be used with announcement of class attached

_____Scholarship request letter attached (if applicable)

For a full understanding of the commitment you will be making to this outstanding educational program, review the attendance standards and note the class dates listed in this application.

Please mark your calendars now with these dates.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

ATTENDANCE STANDARDS
Leadership West Kentucky is a leadership program sponsored by the West Kentucky Regional Chamber Alliance directed toward individuals who demonstrate leadership qualities. Requirements of this program demand a strict time commitment. With the honor and privilege of being a part of the program comes the responsibility to be on time and to participate wholeheartedly.

Classes begin promptly at 8:00 or 8:30 a.m. and will run until 5:00 p.m. Any participant missing more than two full day sessions, in half-day increments, will not graduate from the program. The orientation/overnight retreat is mandatory, in effort to develop cohesion of the group from the onset of the program. Please take all the requirements into consideration before making a commitment to the program.

REPORTING ABSENCES
If you are unable to arrive at the session on time or must be absent for an entire day, you are expected to contact the program director regarding your absence or tardiness preferably before class begins or at your earliest convenience. Absences need to be reported by email or text message.

TARDINESS OR ABSENCES
- 30 minutes tardiness (morning or afternoon session) = ½ day absence
- Any one-hour segment of morning or afternoon session = ½ day absence
NOTIFICATION
Members who have accumulated absences will be notified by letter or email midway through the program year. Members will receive a status letter indicating their absenteeism any time their absences have placed their continued participation at risk.

EXCUSED ABSENCES
It is understood that life presents last minute circumstances or unpredictable situations over which one has no control. In such cases, excusing absences or tardiness will be left to the discretion of the Board of Directors.

YOUR SIGNATURE ALSO AFFIRMS YOUR AGREEMENT TO THE CONDITIONS SPELLED OUT ABOVE REGARDING THE ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS.
Signature
Should be Empty:

2027 APPLICATION