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Jr. Leadership Bay

Click HERE to download the JLB Application

Mission Statement
Junior Leadership Bay is a leadership development program for high school Juniors. Through seminars, workshops, and interaction with community leaders and decision makers, the program is designed to prepare, enhance and motivate youth to become our leaders of the future.

“ You must be the change you wish to see in the world ” - Gandhi

What is Junior Leadership Bay?
Junior Leadership Bay (JLB) is an exciting program for high school Juniors. It prepares Bay County's youth and future business leaders to meet the challenges facing our area through hands-on activities and exciting discussions involving community leaders and motivational speakers. This program is designed to educate local students on the resources and opportunities available in Bay County.

JLB is sponsored by the Bay County Chamber of Commerce and local businesses. It was inspired by the adult version of this program, Leadership Bay. Many of the JLB Steering Committee members are Leadership Bay Alumni that have a high level of enthusiasm for the benefits of this type of community awareness program.

The JLB Program is for students who demonstrate leadership potential and provides a setting to practice constructive leadership skills, committed involvement, and responsible participation in the community. The focus of JLB is to positively impact these young leaders so that they may utilize their leadership skills and talents to benefit the future of Bay County.

The Goals

  • To prepare high school Juniors for future roles in community leadership at an early point in life

  • To develop and enhance leadership skills

  • To create interest in the community and volunteer activities

  • To provide participants with a greater understanding of community issues through interaction with peers, community leaders, and decision makers

  • To retain the brightest and the best future leaders of our community and encourage them to live and work in Bay County

Who Can Participate?
Twenty to twenty-five high school JUNIORS who show the most potential for becoming future leaders in Bay County will be chosen to participate in the program each year. The students will be chosen by the JLB Steering Committee through an application process.

The applications will be solicited from Juniors at each public and private high school in Bay County. Home- schooled students are welcome to apply. Copies of the application form will be available at a designated counselor's office at each high school at least three weeks prior to the deadline for submission.

The Learning Experience
Junior Leadership Bay begins in October and runs through May of each year. The Learning experience includes team building sessions, such as a Saturday "ropes" retreat led by accomplished professional trainers in addition to seven monthly day-long sessions.

The seven monthly weekday sessions may include interactive discussions based on one or more modules from the Gulf Coast Community College Citizen Leadership Institute's Citizen Leadership Training Program. Each session will also include a field trip and accompanying presentations by citizen leaders and professionals drawn from industry, business, government and academia.

The monthly sessions will focus on topics such as; Team Building and Leadership Styles, Diversity and Communicating, Healthy Communities, Problem Solving and Negotiating, Controversy and Resolving Conflict, and Planning and Action. Field trips will include visits to colleges, military installations, industries, news media providers, government offices, arts and cultural organizations, parks and hospitality providers, with locations linked to the day's discussion topics.

Students will also participate in a 4-hour group project to benefit the local community, as well as 6 hours of individual volunteer work.

Eligibility

  • Must attend high school in Bay County

  • Must be a high school Junior

  • Must provide two references from non-family members

  • Must receive parental approval

  • Must receive approval from school principal/guidance counselor

  • Must demonstrate leadership qualities in school and/or community

  • Must commit to full participation in the program

  • Must be academically sound and have an overall Grade Point Average of 2.5 or better

Tuition
There is no cost to apply to the program. If selected to participate, the cost to each student will be $100.00. The tuition can be paid by the participant or a sponsor. Ability to pay this fee WILL NOT affect selection of the participants. A limited number of  JLB tuition scholarships are available from the JLB Steering Committee upon request. Those interested in receiving a scholarship should contact your principal or guidance counselor. Tuition will be due within 30 days of selection.

Scholarships for Higher Learning
Each year, in the spirit and vision of JLB, one outstanding graduating participant will be awarded a full four year scholarship to attend Gulf Coast Community College and Florida State University - Panama City Campus.

The Junior Leadership Bay Program was founded by the Leadership Bay Class of 2000.