Annual Events

Leadership Tallahassee offers a variety of annual events throughout the community each year. Read on to learn more about the following events:

Building Better Boards

Event Date: Monday, April 29, 2013
Building Better Boards is a training seminar designed by Leadership Tallahassee for novice and veteran not-for-profit board members and staff, as well as agency professionals. The interactive seminar assists in making organizations more successful through valuable information and resource materials. Training topics range from fundraising tips and legal obligations to governance and strategic planning.

Distinguished Leadership Awards

Event Date: Thursday, September 19, 2013
The award ceremony recognizes individuals who have made contributions to the Tallahassee community through substantive achievements in the career and community arenas.

Nominations are solicited from the community at large in the spring each year. A selection committee reviews the nomination, and finalists for each category are announced in the summer.

Sponsorships are available at various levels. The event acts as Leadership Tallahassee’s major community fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting the Youth Leadership Tallahassee program.

Lifetime Leadership Award: Recognizes an individual who has made significant, tangible leadership contributions to the Tallahassee community for more than 25 years.

Godfrey Smith Past Chairman’s Award: Honors an individual who has provided significant contributions to the business community before, during and after their tenure as Chairman of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce. The award was named after William Godfrey Smith, the first recipient; an individual who epitomized the ideals of honor, dedication and commitment in our community.

Leadership Pacesetter: Given to an individual who is blazing a trail for others to follow by quickly engaging in community leadership activities – and achieving tangible results – as a relative newcomer to Tallahassee or at a relatively young age.

Leader of the Year: Presented to an individual whose ideas, vision and hard work have achieved significant, tangible benefits to the community within the past year.

Servant Leadership: This individual has demonstrated consistent community leadership and begun to achieve results beyond a single field of endeavor, combining efforts in business and non-profit organizations.

Opportunity Tallahassee

Opportunity Tallahassee is an intensive, one-day overview of our community providing a big picture view of our city. The program is designed to acquaint participants with the physical, social, economic and educational structure of Tallahassee. In addition to meeting and networking with some of the area’s key decision makers, Opportunity Tallahassee participants are given contacts and resources which enable them to become more effectively involved in community issues.

The program is designed for corporate executives, managers and other professionals who may be new to the community and are looking for a behind-the-scenes look at some of the best that Tallahassee has to offer – with a minimum expenditure of time. It is valuable especially for leaders or potential leaders in the community whose professional commitments have precluded participation in the more time-intensive Leadership Tallahassee program.

Designed by members of Leadership Tallahassee, the comprehensive curriculum focuses on Tallahassee’s history, culture, government, education and economic development. Participants have a chance to meet with government officials, visit local cultural landmarks and developing areas, and examine the area’s educational and economic communities. Detailed itineraries are sent to each participant prior to the program day.