Leadership Burke Application

Tuition is $600 for Chamber members and $850 for non-members. This fee covers all program expenses.

Step 1 of 4

Name*
First Last
Profile Picture
Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 32 MB.
Birth Date*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Gender
- Male
- Female
Years you have lived in Burke County.
Home Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code
Best Contact Phone Number*
Spouse/Partner Name
First Last
Names/Ages of children
Employer*
Date of employent*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Business Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code
Business Phone*
Email*
Enter Email Confirm Email
Job Title*
Preferred Contact Method*
- Home
- Business
Any food allergies?

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Please list three (3) prior employers, be sure to include: Employer Name | Job Title | From-To*
Please list three (3) prior employers, be sure to include: Employer Name | Job Title | From-To
What do you consider your highest responsibilty, skill or career achievement?*
ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES Please list in order of importance to you, up to five community, civic, professional, business, religious, social, athletic, and other organizations of which you have been a member. Include Organization | Approximate Dates | Official Positions
Recognitions or Awards Please list any recognitions, awards, and/or certifications you have received from your company or other organizations.
Education*
If you completed a college degree, please list your major.

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Are there particular leadership skills that you hope to gain from this program?
How much time each month do you commit to community, civic, professional and other organizations and activities?
Have you been as active in community, and other activities as you would like to be? If not, what have been the major barriers to your becoming involved?
If you have previously not had the time or interest to become actively involved, what conditions have changed that now enable you to seek involvement in the community?
Which local volunteer agencies/organizations would you like to participate in during the next 12 months?
Have you ever participated in another Community Leadership Program? If yes, please specify which one(s).
What leadership courses or seminars have you attended in the past 5 years?
Please write a statement of why you wish to participate in Leadership Burke and what you hope to gain from the experience.
Are you a registered voter? If no, please explain
Where do you see yourself in five years?

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Please list three (3) people who are knowledgeable about your leadership performance and potential. (Include Name, Address, Phone Number)*
Selection Criteria*
- Applicant has read and understands
Participants will be chosen for Leadership Burke based upon the information provided in the application. Consideration is given to leadership achievements, community involvement, overall accomplishments, recommendations from peers and employers, and the ability and interest in assuming additional leadership roles in the community. To successfully complete Leadership Burke, a participant must attend all sessions. Absences are excused only in the event of an emergency or extenuating circumstance. A participant who is unable to attend all sessions may be asked to withdraw from the program and no portion of the tuition will be refunded. It is important that an applicant have the full support of his/her employer to attend all sessions.
Class Schedule*
- Applicant has read and understands
The Leadership Burke Program year will consist of a two-day retreat, 7monthly full-day sessions, and an evening graduation program in October. The following dates are required for this program. They are required to attend from 8:00am until 5:00pm. March 19th and 20th-Learning Styles and Leadership Behaviors Days; March 25th -Historical/Arts/Tourism Day; April 22nd-Food/Agriculture Day; May 27th-Manufacturing Day; June 24th-Energy/Manufacturing Day; August 26th-Government/Economy Day; September 23rd-Health/Medicine Day; October 21st-Education Day The Graduation will be held the evening of October 22nd. Class members are expected to attend Graduation and will be allowed to bring a guest.
Agreement*
- Applicant has read and understands
I understand the time commitment required for participation in the program and I will be at the program for the days listed above. If I am selected to be a class member, I will pay my tuition by the date required and will attend ALL sessions and devote the time to this program as required. I understand that if I do not attend these full days could result in withdrawal from the program. If you are selected to be in the Class of 2020, you have been selected because you are leader. Leaders show up and are present to what they have committed to in their profession. You will be a representative of your company. Your presence is required.
Payment Options*
There is a fee associated with Leadership Burke. Please select how you would like to pay for the course. Once we receive your application, you will then be sent the payment fee via your selected payment option below.

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Applications Due Friday, September 26 Leadership Burke 2014 Starts October 2-3

Posted on September 11, 2014December 25, 2018 by Tonia Stephenson

It’s our community’s premier program for identifying future leaders and equipping them with the information they need to understand how Burke County works. Limited to 30 participants, Leadership Burke provides Chamber members a unique opportunity to recognize up-and-coming or new leaders in their company or organization with an exciting immersion experience into five of Burke County’s key sectors:

– Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development
– Healthcare and Human Services
– Education
– Arts, Culture and History
– City, County, State and Federal Government

Leadership Burke 2014 will begin on October 2-3 with an outstanding two-day orientation, leadership development and team building program led by Linda Lindsay that has been one of the highest rated activities by past participants. Subsequent sessions will combine classroom settings, guest speakers, panel discussions and extensive fields trips across the county for a firsthand look into what drives the economy, decision-making, learning, healthcare, the social safety net, culture and much more. The call for participants will be e-mailed to Chamber members today with a deadline for participant applications of Friday, September 26. Tuition for participants employed by Chamber members is the same as last year at $450. Tuition for non-Chamber members is $550. If you or a participant from your company would like to enroll, click here for the application form.

Excitement Building around Burke Chamber’s Fall Agenda

Posted on August 15, 2014December 25, 2018 by Tonia Stephenson

Led by the 19th Annual Chamber Golf Classic on September 25, the Burke Chamber is planning a fall agenda as exciting as the fall colors in Western NC. Here’s a preview and some reminders:

August 19, 330 pm – Applebee’s Restaurant Groundbreaking

August 21 – Ambassadors Prize Patrol

September 2 – Ribbon Cutting at Alray Tires

September 11, 430-630 pm – Business After Hours at Silver Fork Winery sponsored by CommunityOne Bank.

September 25 – Golf Classic at Silver Creek Presented by

Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge – It promises to be the best yet! Registration information will be released next week. For information about hole sponsorships ($175) or being a tournament sponsor with special benefits, call the Chamber at 437-3021.

September-November, Leadership Burke – It’s the right time to be thinking about up and coming members of your team who your company would like to send to this leadership development course. Look for details to be announced soon.

November 13, Business Showcase – Put your business in the spotlight before fellow businesses and hundreds of consumers at our second annual expo. Details coming soon.

Plus, look for news about upcoming Business for Breakfasts and other special member events over the coming months.

Emerging Leaders Application

Do you want to grow your social capital, develop more leadership skills, learn from your peers, and best of all build new friendships with people around the community? If you are between the ages of 21-40 and would be interested in joining the Burke County Emerging Leaders, please submit your application below. Someone from our team will be in contact with you.

Name*
First Last
Business Name
Physical Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code
Mailing Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code
Email*
Enter Email Confirm Email
Phone*
Birth Date*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
How long have you lived or worked in Burke County?
What types of activities would be of interest to you for this group?

Tonia Stephenson

Tonia Stephenson began serving the Burke County community on July 9, 2018 as the
President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce. She has spent most of her professional
career in the Chamber world, beginning with the High Point Chamber of Commerce, then
the Scotland County Area Chamber of Commerce serving in different capacities.
For six years, Tonia served as the Executive Director for The Salvation Army Boys &
Girls Club in High Point. At the Boys & Girls Club, her focus was to revitalize the Club
facilities, raise the number of children served, provide quality programming, and put the
Club in good financial standing.

Tonia is a graduate of High Point University, with a double major of Business
Administration and Home Furnishings Marketing. She is a graduate of the U. S.
Chamber of Commerce Leadership Institute at Villanova University and became a
Certified Chamber of Commerce Executive in 2014. She is a member of VEDIC
(Valdese Economic Development Investment Corporation) and CACCE (Carolinas
Association of Chamber Executives) Board of Directors. Tonia was named the Business
Woman of the Year from the High Point Chamber of Commerce, one of the 40 Leaders
Under 40 from The Business Journal, and was named the Member of the Year for the
Archdale/Trinity Chamber of Commerce, where she served on the Board of Directors for
six years.

Tonia is married to her best friend, David, and loves to spend time with him traveling for
long weekends. She also enjoys hiking trails, cross-stitching, and reading.

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Reasons to Join

As a business owner, you play an essential role in Burke County’s success. Business owners like you are the leaders, job creators, community builders, and the engines of our economy. When you join the chamber, you’ll enjoy more opportunities to advance your business and our community and a generous package of exclusive perks and member benefits.

Greater Connections | We offer over highly visible events, programs and celebrations each year. That means multiple opportunities to develop new relationships, grow your referrals, and expand your network.
Greater Visibility | From event attendance to investor opportunities and affordable advertising opportunities, the Chamber helps you promote your company and share your brand message with member companies — and countless potential new customers.
Resources for Greater Growth | Businesses of all sizes and business owners of all experience levels can leverage the Chamber for growth. Whether it’s planning tools, free business consultations, educational workshops, peer-to-peer business roundtables, or more, at the Chamber, it’s our business to help you grow yours.
Attract and Retain Great Talent | We work side-by-side with you to welcome, connect, and engage your talent. Our wealth of affinity groups help connect diverse professionals with their peers — within our membership and our community.
Become a Greater Leader | You can take part in Burke County’s pre-eminent programs for leadership development. Our leadership programs equip talented professionals to shape careers, transform companies, and fuel change throughout the community.
Have a Greater Voice | The Chamber works tirelessly to further the policies, ideas, and opportunities that will improve the climate for Burke County businesses. Whether you need help getting a sign approved, have a taxation situation, or have an industry-specific problem that’s affecting your business, the advocacy team at the chamber is ready and able to help.

Choose an appropriate level of support.

Burke County businesses come in all shapes and sizes and so do Chamber memberships. Whether you’re a startup or a billion-dollar corporation, there’s a membership level that’s tailored to fit your business.

Joining the Burke County Chamber of Commerce is an investment in your business, your brand and your community. No other business organization is as deeply plugged into what is happening in Burke County. No other business organization brings together the decision makers and leaders who make things happen.

To learn more about how membership with the Chamber will benefit your business and our community complete the form below and a member of our staff will contact you.

For more information, contact us today!

Click here to Join Now

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Thank you for your interest in the Burke County Chamber of Commerce. Your information has successfully been submitted. Someone from our staff will contact you shortly to discuss we can serve you.

We look forward to serving YOU!

YOUR Burke Chamber of Commerce Team

110 E. Meeting St, Morganton NC 28655
O: 828.437.3021 | F: 828.437.1613

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Emerging Leaders

Professional Development • Community Activism

About Us

The Emerging Leaders began in early 2019 when the Burke County Chamber of Commerce and the Burke County United Way came together to create a steering committee. Both saw a need for the development and support of the young professionals in our county, and more opportunities for them to connect, network and give back to their community.

The mission of the Emerging Leaders program is to create opportunities for enriching professional development, networking and community engagement to young leaders in Burke County.

Through networking events, volunteering opportunities and leadership training, our members leverage the powers of other Burke Emerging Leaders to connect, serve, and grow both professionally and personally. Burke County Emerging Leaders is completely open to all young professionals aged 21-40. There are currently no yearly membership fees.

Events

Since the pandemic began, the Emerging Leaders Steering Committee has been cautious about holding public events. As we enter into 2022, we plan to begin hosting local events once again that allow young professionals to network, grow professionally and give back to their community through service or philanthropy. Past philanthropy opportunities have included collecting items for a different local charity organization at each event, and “adopting” a family for Christmas. To stay on top of upcoming events and other updates, visit the Emerging Leaders Facebook Page.

For more information on joining the Burke County Emerging Leaders, fill out the contact form here!