Frequently Asked Questions
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The program is sponsored by the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and directed by the CLS Board, an all-volunteer organization consisting of CLS alumni.
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LEAD is the Greater Williamsburg Area Chamber of Commerce program designed for recognized and emerging business leaders. These professionals attend similar classes over one year, preparing for expanded community leadership roles. LEAD runs in odd-numbered years, CLS targets retirees and runs in even-numbered years.
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Also called the Historic Triangle, the Greater Williamsburg area includes the City of Williamsburg, James City County, and the Bruton District of York County.
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The CLS Class of 2026 will begin with a half day Orientation Meet and Greet in October, 2025. From January-March 2026, weekly sessions meet on Tuesdays. Class days start time is 8:00 a.m. and may vary slightly based on agenda and location. Specific dates will be announced in early 2025.
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Accomplished individuals who are retired from full-time careers and looking to leverage their talents in the Greater Williamsburg area can apply. Application details are on our website.
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Participants are limited to 18.
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Most are held in a central Williamsburg area location. To provide an insider’s perspective to community organizations, some sessions are held at locations pertinent to the day’s topic.
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The tuition for 2026 will be announced in early 2025. This fee covers all sessions, refreshments, lunches, and the administration of the program.
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A limited amount of needs-based tuition assistance is available.
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In order to participate in the CLS program, you need to be available for all of the sessions. As we receive more applicants than we can accommodate, those selected into the program need to commit to attend every session.
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You can use what you learn in ways that you find interesting and enriching. There is no formal placement process in volunteer positions; however, you will have established a valuable network of contacts to help you get involved.