YOUTH LEADERSHIP
NORTHEAST POLK
NORTHEAST POLK YOUTH LEADERSHIP
The Chamber's 2025 - 2026 Youth Leadership began in October 2025!
Student Sponsors enable the Chamber to present a quality leadership experience at no cost to the students. Student Sponsorships are $300.
In return for your generosity, a link to your website will be placed on the front page and the leadership page of the Chamber’s website along with recognition of your sponsorship. The link will remain on our website through September 2025. Call the Chamber at
863-422-3751 to sponsor a student or for more information.
The Chamber’s Youth Leadership Program educates eleventh grade students about the various components that make up a healthy community. Monthly during the school year the students participate in a Leadership Experience with our Adult Leadership Class, when they meet and interview key business and community leaders about careers in areas of Non-Profit, Business & Industry, the Judicial System, Government, Agriculture, and Tourism.
The Youth Leadership Program participants attend six day-long leadership experiences, each focusing on a particular aspect of community life. A two-day, one-night stay in Tallahassee culminates the leadership experience. Graduation is held in May with the Adult Leadership Class. Northeast Polk Chamber of Commerce representatives and other sponsoring organizations participate in orientation and graduation activities.
A Special THANK YOU to the 2025-2026 program co-chairs Nancy Dodd (retired-Duke Energy) and Rich Besson (SouthState Bank) for making the program such a success!
Thank you to the following 2025-2026 Youth Leadership Sponsors!
A Special Thank You to:
The City of Haines City
& City of Davenport- Youth Leadership Program Sponsors and to
Polk State College - Exclusive Leadership Tallahassee Trip Sponsor, and Jarrett-Gordon Ford, - Transportation Sponsor & Tallahassee Road Trip Sponsor of the Chamber's Leadership Programs.
