LSA APPLICATION CRITERIA
LSA seeks a diverse group of individuals dedicated to serving their community. Participants of the program will be given the opportunity to develop an understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the San Antonio area. This coming year, LSA 46 will be dedicated to having powerful conversations to deeply understand disparities and challenges in the community and to harness collective resources to develop solutions that will have an enduring impact. The focus will be on being proximate to the problems that we face as a city and towards each other, by surfacing the issues and doing a root cause analysis in order to create a more thriving city with lasting and systemic change.
LSA is limited to approximately 50 participants annually. Acceptance into the program is based on a subjective assessment of the information each applicant provides in this application, as well as a second round in-person interview, if selected. These interviews will be held in-person, following all current CDC recommendations related to health and safety protocols. If you are selected for the semi-finalist interview, you MUST be available to attend in-person during your designated time on:
Wednesday, November 17, 2021 between 8am – 12pm and 1pm – 5pm
The applicant acknowledges that attendance is MANDATORY during all class days, retreats, and class day planning sessions. Absence at any of these scheduled events, without advance approval from Chamber staff and the LSA Co-Chairs, on more than one (1) occasion may result in expulsion from the class, ability to complete the remaining class days, as well as lose an opportunity complete the program, without reimbursement of tuition and fees. Your participation in the program reflects on the LSA program itself, as well as you individually and within your organization. Please be mindful of the time commitment prior to applying.
Be sure to mark your calendars now, in the exciting chance you are extended an interview. The LSA Selection Committee is comprised of LSA Alumni. The selection is highly competitive with more applicants than class positions, therefore applicants who are not accepted are highly encouraged to reapply the following year.
LSA 46 (2022) will be gathering in-person for all events, planning sessions, and class days. There will be careful consideration of attendees health and safety. Current CDC guidelines and recommendations will be followed.
Mandatory Attendance Dates:
Retreats include overnight accommodations.
Class day commitment will be from approximately 8am to 4pm with optional after hours events from 4-6pm. Class Days will be held in-person, following current CDC recommendations and guidelines.
December 9, 2021 LSA Welcome Reception (5:30-7:30PM Location: TBD)
January 14-15, 2022 LSA Opening Retreat (Location: TBD)
February 9, 2022 Class – ALL DAY
March 2, 2022 Class – ALL DAY
April 6, 2022 Class – ALL DAY
May 4, 2022 Class – ALL DAY
June 1, 2022 Class – ALL DAY
July 2022 – TBD – Pending
August 3, 2022 Class – ALL DAY
September 7, 2022 Class – ALL DAY
October 14-15, 2022 – LSA Closing Retreat (Location: TBD)
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
- Have lived in and/or worked in the San Antonio area for at least one year at the time of the application.
- Persons related by marriage may not apply for the same class year.
- Must be a member in good standing of one of the sponsoring Chambers of Commerce (either Hispanic Chamber of Commerce or San Antonio Chamber of Commerce – membership in both is encouraged). If not a member, you will have 30 days from class member selection to join and remain in good standing throughout the entire LSA year. Failure to remain a member will jeopardize participation in LSA and/or final graduation.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
- Show a sincere interest in and commitment to improving the community.
- Have the desire to increase service to the community through holding key leadership positions.
- Present a clear vision for the development and growth of San Antonio.
PROGRAM COST:
- Applicants must submit a $50 non-refundable application fee due with completed application by 5:00 PM on Monday, October 18, 2021: click link: LSA 46 Class Member Application Fee
- Class members accepted into LSA must submit a non-refundable tuition fee of $2,250.00 payable to the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce before the end of the 1st Quarter FY22 – March 31, 2022.
Formal written requests must be submitted within 30 days of selection into the program for:
- Payment plans: bi-annual, quarterly, or monthly payments.
- Small Business, Non-Profit 501(c)3, Veteran, and Minority Owned Needs Based Scholarships for partial and full tuition.
If not already a member of either sponsoring Chamber, a separate membership fee will be required which will vary upon desired level of membership within 30 days of notice of selection.
LSA 46 APPLICATION TIMELINE
- September 20, 2021
Application Open (prior to “live” status – we recommend to work on 2-3 Letters of recommendation, ready to be uploaded digitally for application) - October 18, 2021
Application Deadline – noon CST (incomplete applications will NOT be considered) - November 17, 2021
Semifinalists Interviews | 8am – 12pm & 1pm – 5pm | Location: TBD - No later than the week of November 29, 2021
Applicants notified of program standing - December 9, 2021
Announcement of LSA Class 46 Members and Welcome Reception (5:30-7:30PM Location: TBD) - January 2022-October 2022
LSA 46 Program Year
Being a member of the Steering Committee has allowed me an opportunity to reconnect with old friends and connect with LSA Alumni in a fun and exciting way! Especially being a part of LSA45, we will go down in the books as the REAL Best and LONGEST Class EVER! I look forward to seeing what becomes of this great group of leaders in our future.