“Community leadership is the courage, creativity and capacity to inspire participation, development and sustainability for strong communities.”
- Gustav Nossal
What is Leadership Metro South?
Leadership South Shore was established in 2016 by South Shore Bank in partnership with the South Shore Chamber of Commerce. This celebrated program selects participants from a pool of applicants and leads them through a year-long immersive learning curriculum, resulting in a group of individuals who are committed to transformative leadership in our community. Over 100 highly motivated individuals have graduated from this program.
South Shore Bank has expanded into the city of Brockton, and with this exciting growth a partnership has been formed with the Metro South Chamber of Commerce to bring a Leadership Metro South program to the region. The program follows the same guidelines as the original Leadership South Shore program, with the focus to serve the communities in the Metro South footprint.
Why a Leadership Program?
Existing and emerging leaders play a vital role in both the workplace and in our communities. It is important for them to understand the uniqueness of the region, and to learn to navigate and embrace the opportunities and challenges that come with it. Informed leaders make informed decisions to help build, define, and promote the region we call home.
Program Content:
This yearlong, thought-provoking community leadership program examines regional challenges and opportunities through expert panel discussions, virtual and on-site visits, presentations, focus groups, interactive activities and other innovative, experiential activities. The cohort convenes 8 times over a year, beginning in September.
Leadership Program Day themes in years past have included:
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Day explores various DEI topics like creating and maintaining healthy workplace cultures, supporting marginalized employees, and strategies to build DEI awareness.
Past panelists have represented the following organizations: The Arc of the South Shore, MERGE, Diverse Abilities Inclusion Consulting, Global Partners LP, Pembroke for Racial Justice, Quincy Asian Resources Inc., and Opportunities for Inclusion.
Exploring topics such as The Addiction Crisis: Response, Treatments and Supports; Homelessness and Food Shortages; Mental Health & Wellness; Effects of workforce shortage on the healthcare system. Some of the organizations involved previously include South Shore Health System, Interfaith Social Services, Father Bill’s & Mainspring, New Way Recovery Center, South Shore Peer Recovery, Bay State Community Services, BID Milton Hospital, MGH Harbor Medical, Road to Responsibility, Cohasset Working Dog Foundation, Norwell Visiting Nurse Association and Lynch Wellness.
Exploring topics such as Post-Secondary Options Outside Traditional Four-Year University; STEM Learning Access; Changing Face of Early Education. Some of the organizations involved previously include South Shore Charter Public School, Weymouth High School, Massasoit Community College, MassHire South Shore Workforce Board, Southeastern Regional Vocational School, Carver Public Schools, Quincy Public Schools, Map Academy, New Heights Charter School and Stonehill College Photonics Program.
Exploring topics such as Programming and Classification for Inmates; K9 Demonstration with Plymouth County Sheriff; Crime Lab Analysis; Drug Court and the new face of Community Policing. Some of the organizations involved previously include Plymouth County Sherriff’s Department, Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, Hanover Police Department, the office of the Plymouth County District Attorney, Norfolk County Sheriff’s department, Braintree Police Department, Kingston Police and Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro, P.C.
Exploring topics such as Economic Development in Braintree, Brockton, Weymouth and Quincy; Real Estate and Commercial Expansion; Manufacturing on the South Shore; and Effects of Covid on business growth. Some of the organizations involved previously include South Shore Chamber of Commerce, Metro South Chamber of Commerce, Union Point, Jack Conway Realty, The Kingston Collection, Atlantic Mechanical, SEED Corporation, the local Mayors of Braintree, Quincy, and Weymouth, Hynes Restaurant Group, Fireking Baking, Widowmaker Brewing, In Good Health, Crown Uniform & Linen and South Shore Economic Development Council.
Exploring topics such as Impact of Arts on Economic Development; Growing our Community with Arts & Culture; Hospitality & Tourism; Creative Arts Therapies. Some of the organizations involved in the past include Mass Cultural Council, South Shore Conservatory, Company Theatre, Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, South Shore Art Center, Plymouth Bay Cultural District, Zildjian, South Shore Children's Chorus, Brockont Public Schools Music Department, Atlantic Symphony Orchestra and High Output Studios.
Program Timeline:
The Leadership Programs runs from September through May, with a September graduation date. Participants attend a program day once monthly during fall/spring, with dates provided at the start of the program year. As attendance is a key pillar to program success, participants are required to attend all program days. Applicants are asked to submit an Employer Commitment Form to assure mutual understanding and support of anticipated participation requirements.
Applying to the Program:
Each year we select a diverse group of emerging leaders who want to advance their personal and professional development and make genuine connections within their cohort. There is a Tuition Fee of $500 to participate in the program, which covers all program-related activities, transportation and materials.
Online applications are now open and close on May 17, 2024. All leaders applying to the program will be invited to an in-person interview with members of the Steering Committee. Interviews for the programs will be held the weeks of June 3rd and 10th, with acceptance letters going out mid-July.