Warren Sinsheimer

Partner, Sinsheimer Juhnke McIvor & Stroh, LLP

"Leadership SLO has proven an effective training ground for a cadre of people who have evolved into leaders of the community. The program brings together the multitude of people and entities which comprise the patchwork quilt of our social landscape."

The Application Process

1. The Application

   1. A completed Confidential Application
   2. A brief and thoughtful response to a few general questions
   3. Two (2) letters of recommendation
   4. A completed Application Agreement that includes your employer’s signature
   5. A completed Tuition Agreement
   6. A completed Tuition Worksheet
      

2. The Interview

Following acceptance of your complete application package, you will be notified of a time for your group interview with six fellow applicants in front of a panel of six interviewers.

Procedure

Candidates

Participants in Leadership San Luis Obispo come from all over SLO County and from every walk of life. In each class you’re likely to find politicians, business executives, officers and managers; people in leadership roles in their work life. Those people (maybe a person like you?) contribute significantly to the Leadership class experience while sharpening their skills and exploring community values that will transition well into their office roles.

Leadership San Luis Obispo class members are also mothers and fathers (and stay-at-home mothers and fathers), college students, retirees, line workers, farmers and ranchers; people who bring unique perspectives and a rich life experience to the class. These people graduate the program with new leadership abilities that serve their respective realms and our community as a whole.

Successful applicants share some common traits. These applicants:

• Are curious by nature and motivated to get involved in their community
  
• Are looking for information about our county and actively exploring arenas in which to focus their energies 
  
• May be serving on boards or commissions or may just be starting down a path of community service
  
• Have a commitment to personal and professional growth
  
• Are willing to view community issues from a broad perspective

Membership in the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce is not a factor for selection.

Selection Criteria

The selection committee chooses the class with a conscious effort to ensure that the group reflects a geographic, cultural, life experience, and gender balance between the profit, nonprofit, public and voluntary sectors. We do not typically accept two members of the same family in the same class, nor do we typically accept two candidates from the same business or municipality, so a great candidate may be asked to defer their Leadership experience and apply again in the following year.

Selection is based on:

• A demonstrated desire for community involvement
• An intent to remain in the County for at least 3 years
• A commitment to full participation in the Leadership SLO program:

1. Two-and-a-half day out-of-county retreat
2. Nine “Day Sessions”
3. Homework
4. Legacy Project

• Approval from the applicant’s employer to be absent from the workplace on the above noted 12 days.

In our commitment to ensure diversity of people and viewpoints, many well-qualified applicants may not be selected. We urge those applicants to reapply in the following year with the understanding that each year’s applicant pool is independently considered.

Cost

Tuition

Tuition for the 10-month program is $1,500. Your Leadership San Luis Obispo tuition includes:

• 2 nights accommodations at Wonder Valley Resort
• 5 meals at Wonder Valley Resort
• A private coach on Tour Day
• Coffee, tea, pastries and fruit at 9 Day Sessions
• Lunch at 9 Day Sessions
• Access and exposure to city and county leaders in industry, government, and non-profits. The right to claim kinship and affinity with the nearly 700 Leadership SLO graduates working to make San Luis Obispo County a better place to live for ourselves and for our children
  

See the Tuition Worksheet included in the Application Package for more information.

Scholarships

Partial scholarships are offered to assist those who otherwise couldn't participate and are awarded based on greatest need. Since scholarship funds are limited, Leadership San Luis Obispo encourages applicants to seek sponsorship from their employers and community affiliations. Every year over 25% of the people applying to Leadership SLO’s year-long program request scholarship assistance. These generous donors help ensure a SLO County future served by a diverse group of passionate and effective community leaders. 

Apply Today!