Leadership Chambers County prepares for 2027 cohort
BY SAM VISE
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
CHAMBERS COUNTY — Leadership Chambers County is gearing up for its third year, aiming to prepare and inspire local citizens to step up, get involved and guide the community forward.
Applications and nominations for the class of 2027 officially open Oct. 1 and will close at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 31. The yearlong program is managed through an operational partnership by Chambers County Development Authority Senior Project Manager Ansley Hall and Project Manager Andie Chambley.
Launched in 2025 with an inaugural cohort of 15 members, the program expanded to 20 participants in 2026 — a class size organizers say they plan to maintain to balance broad networking with personal connection.
“The way we do this is through education seminars, networking opportunities and activities to let [participants] learn about their leadership styles as well as learn about the county as a whole,” Hall said. “So that way, they are a more educated leader, as well as just inspiring them to, if they’re not currently involved in our community, to get plugged in.”
To ensure fairness, all submissions are reviewed and selected by an independent committee outside Chambers County.
“We don’t select the applicants,” Chambley said. “When you apply, that goes to an unbiased group of people that aren’t from Chambers County, so they’re not aware of any of the people, any of the names at all... The application process is competitive.”
To be eligible, applicants must have a primary residence in Chambers County (working in the county alone does not qualify), must not have participated in the program before and be at least 21 years old as of Jan. 1, 2027.
Tuition for the yearlong program is $500. To graduate, participants must commit to attending all mandatory quarterly two-day sessions scheduled throughout 2027:
Session One: Jan. 28-29, 2027
Session Two: April 22-23, 2027
Session Three: July 22-23, 2027
Session Four: Oct. 7-8, 2027
While the opening session centers on foundational leadership assessment and team networking, the following sessions will immerse participants in local institutions, covering local and state government, healthcare, education, economic development, public safety, infrastructure and county history.
“One thing we did this year is tour the jail and wastewater treatment facility,” Hall said. “Had you not been in this class, you may not have had the opportunity to ever do that. We really want to provide our class an opportunity to know the ins and outs of Chambers County and really just give them the knowledge they need to be an impactful leader.”
Outside regular classroom sessions, participants must broaden their civic exposure over the year by attending at least one municipal council meeting (Lanett, Valley or LaFayette), one Chambers County Commission meeting and one school board meeting (Chambers County or Lanett City Schools). Elected officials participating in the program are required to attend a municipal council meeting outside their own jurisdiction.
Organizers also encourage community members and local employers to submit nominations. While a nomination serves as an encouraging letter of support, nominated individuals must still submit a full application before the Oct. 31 deadline.
Local businesses and civic organizations can also get involved through program sponsorships or by covering the $500 tuition for an accepted employee or participant.
Beginning Oct. 1, application and nomination links will go live on the Leadership Chambers County Facebook page. Prospective applicants without social media can request direct portal links or sponsorship information by emailing Chambley at andie@chambersida.com or Hall at ansley@chambersida.com.
