Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce is preparing for this year’s Leadership Beaufort program.

The Chamber created the program several years ago to educate professionals in the Washington area about roles in the community and ways to execute leadership qualities, according to Executive Director Catherine Glover.

“Developed by the Chamber to ensure a continuing reservoir of leadership talent for the future, Leadership Beaufort consists of a series of one-day sessions designed to inform, to challenge and to motivate leaders to become involved in supporting and directing the future of Beaufort County,” a press release stated.

This year’s program will include seven sessions over three months, covering topics ranging from education to economic development to county government, Glover said. The sessions are scheduled for Thursdays, Feb. 11, Feb. 25, March 10, March 24, April 7, April 21 and May 5.

Attendees cannot miss more than one session to be eligible to attend the graduation event on May 19.

“Leadership Beaufort is a way to see or just learn about your community and get educated on different pieces,” she said. “We cover pretty much every piece.”

The program is for newcomers or lifelong residents, Glover added.

Tuition for Leadership Beaufort is $400, which goes toward materials, lunch, some transportation costs and the graduation, the release stated.

“The reason we started this program was to produce leaders,” Glover said. “You also produce educated leaders that know all the ins and outs.”

It is the Chamber’s hope that these educated leaders will begin to see how different pieces of the community fit together into one puzzle and how the pieces build on one another, as well as build relationships with other attendees, she said.

While the deadline for applications was Feb. 1, Glover said there are still spots left for anyone who wants to attend, and they can apply up until the first session on Thursday.

“It raises your community up when you really know what’s going on,” Glover said.

For more information or to apply, call the Chamber of Commerce at 252-946-9168.