The 8-month program in Leadership begins in October and ends in May. The class meets one to two times each month. Each educational day is experience-based and includes virtual or in-person meetings with local leaders and subject matter experts, individual and group activities, and occasional site visits/tours. Participants are expected to attend all sessions and to engage fully in a team project. The program’s schedule of dates is posted on our website and listed on the application. Participants who successfully complete the program may earn 7 academic credits in Leadership from Skagit Valley College. 

Graduation from Leadership Whidbey signifies the beginning of an ongoing opportunity as a member of the Leadership Whidbey graduate network. Our Alumni group, headed by a committee of graduates, may host networking events, educational programs and forums, and provide community service opportunities to facilitate continuing education and network-building among alumni. Alumni are encouraged to serve on planning committees, commissions, boards, and task forces, and to consider serving in elected or appointed offices.

Leadership Whidbey is not a business course.

Leadership Whidbey is a program that provides context, connection and engagement with our community and its unique histories, systems, and environments, while asking community members to develop themselves, work with others, and examine what it means to be a leader in our times.

Cohort members should plan for active engagement with challenging topics currently effecting our community in a variety of environments throughout Whidbey. Guest speakers, new experiences and an impressive network of former cohort members, supporters, and experts are all part of the package!

Leadership Whidbey applicants are expected to be highly motivated, committed to being involved in the community, and interested in continuing their leadership journey by expanding their skills and connections. Applicants must live or work on Whidbey Island. Potential participants are encouraged to contact our Program Manager, Tiffany Scribner at connect@leadershipwhidbey.comto discuss their interest in the program and answer your questions, prior to applying.

Participants will be selected based on criteria including leadership in their chosen field and/or volunteer activities, community involvement, desire to improve personal leadership skills, and commitment to effecting positive change on Whidbey Island. Because diversity is a core value of our program, we strive to select participants who will reflect a diversity of age, employment, ethnic, professional, and geographic backgrounds. Leadership Whidbey does not discriminate against applicants and participants based on gender, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, or occupation. Applications are handled in confidence.

Leadership Whidbey currently runs from approximately October to May, annually.

Leadership Whidbey meets about once a month on Fridays from 8:15am to 5pm. Two retreats, which open and close the program and are two days long each, occur on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Graduation occurs on a Friday afternoon. Detailed schedules for the current program year are available here.

If you are unable to commit to the schedule, please consider applying in a future year.

We value your time and we know you are busy!

Leadership Whidbey participants are expected to attend all sessions. Participants are expected to arrive on time and stay for the entire session. Participants agree to support and follow all ground rules as developed by the class, their teams, and all policies and requirements of the program.

In addition to the 8 hour program days, and two retreats, cohort members are asked to complete up to 4 hours of pre-work for each program day.

The last time commitment is the Community Adaptive Leadership Lab (CALL); a small group within the cohort focused on a specific project. This group will determine its own meeting schedule, although we recommend reserving 2 to 4 hours a month for CALL teams.

This brings your total time commitment to 15-20 hours a month to create a thriving Whidbey community!

Leadership Whidbey program fees are currently $1,900 for the entire program. All applicants must pay a $40 application fee, which covers the cost of administration.

These fees cover the cost everything you will need to complete the program, from supplies to lodging for the overnight retreats to snacks and meals at every program day to guest speakers and curriculum tools.

Program Fees are NOT refundable.

Many employers will provide partial or complete coverage of the fees for participation. Additionally, full and partial scholarships are available to assist you in becoming part of our next cohort!

Applications open each year in February for the upcoming cohort on a space-available basis.

When open, applications will be available on the website, as will a schedule for the upcoming year.

Please contact our Program Manager, Tiffany Scribner, at connect@leadershipwhidbey. com for any other questions you might have!