Leadership Meridian Application - Meridian Chamber of Commerce

Application Information

Please complete each section fully. Application must be signed by both applicant and employer/sponsor and returned to the Chamber of Commerce office by August 7, 2026.

Selection Criteria

Participation in Leadership Meridian is open to individuals working or living in the Meridian area, and all Meridian Chamber members. Since the number of participants in Leadership Meridian is limited, applicants who are not selected are encouraged to reapply in subsequent years.

Participants will be chosen by the Leadership Meridian Selection Committee based upon the information completed on this application and a follow up interview. The Committee will be seeking representation from a cross section of the community. The leaders and potential leaders will be active in business, education, the arts, government, and community-based organizations and will reflect the diversity of the community.

Applicants must have the full support of the organization or corporation they represent.

Leadership Meridian Class of 2026-2027 class schedule: (May be subject to change)

September 17, 2026

October 15, 2026

November 19, 2026

December 3, 2026

January 7, 2027

January 21, 2027

February 18, 2027

March 4, 2027

March 18, 2027

April 15, 2027

Attendance at ALL monthly sessions and planning meetings are REQUIRED. Those who fail to attend without pre-approval may be asked to withdraw with no refund of tuition.

Tuition for the program is $1,350 per individual. This covers the session costs, transportation, lunches, program materials, speaker fees, graduation dinner for participant and guest.

2026-2027 Leadership Meridian Application

Personal Data

Name(Required)

First Last

Nickname

Gender(Required)

Male

Female

Other

Home Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Business Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Cell Phone(Required)

Business Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

Please list any food allergies:

Education

Include all degrees and any specialized training received beginning with the High School from which you graduated.

List name and location of school, dates, degree, & major:(Required)

Employment

Present Employer(Required)

Date Hired(Required)

Type of Business(Required)

Title or Responsibility(Required)

Since(Required)

List previous employment in reverse chronological order with dates of employment: (last 5 years)(Required)

Community Involvement

Include community, civic, religious, political, government, social, athletic, and other activities.

Organization and Position(Required)

General Information

What do you feel are the three most significant problems facing Meridian today?(Required)

What do you feel needs to be done about one of these issues?(Required)

What are the three most notable opportunities the Meridian area has to offer?(Required)

What do you feel needs to be done to develop these opportunities?(Required)

References: Professional & Personal

Please list individuals other than relatives who know of your qualification and/or background experience. Please list 2 professional and 2 personal references.

Name(Required)

Profession(Required)

Phone Number(Required)

Address(Required)

Name(Required)

Profession(Required)

Phone Number(Required)

Address(Required)

Name

Profession

Phone Number

Address

Name

Profession

Phone Number

Address

One-Year Commitment

To graduate from Leadership Meridian, the participant is expected to attend all sessions, which take place one full weekday each month, on the third Thursday of the month - September through April. There are two sessions in both January and March. Graduation will be on May 11, 2027. Even though emergencies do arise, any participant missing more than 2 sessions, for whatever reason, may be asked to withdraw from the program and no portion of the tuition shall be refunded. (Unless pre-approval is granted) I understand the purposes of the Leadership Meridian program, and if I am selected, I will devote the time and resources necessary to complete the program. I understand the above commitments and agree to be bound by them in signing this application.

Signature(Required)

Date(Required)

Tuition

If accepted into the program, you or your employer / sponsor will be billed for the tuition fee which covers program costs, including meals for both years of the program. Tuition for the program is $1,300 per individual. See page one for details.

Will your employer pay the tuition fee?(Required)

Yes

Will you pay the tuition fee?(Required)

Yes

Employers Commitment

This application has the approval of this organization, and the applicant has our full support which includes the time required to participate in the program. I understand that once the person has started the program, tuition will not be refunded if the person leaves our employment.

Name of supervisor overseeing applicant:(Required)

Title(Required)

* If the participant changes employers during their Leadership Meridian commitment, the participant must inform the Chamber office. It is the responsibility of the participants to explain their commitment to their new employer and plan to fulfill their commitment.

Please attach a headshot of applicant(Required)

Max. file size: 32 MB.