History of Leadership Arlington

1998

• Leadership Arlington launches as an initiative of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce as an independent 501(c)3.

1999

• In May, the 32 member inaugural class graduates.

2000

• The Board of Regents rewrites by-laws, including a clause that designates 10% of tuition to be deposited into a scholarship fund.

2001

• Leadership Arlington’s endowment is created with the goal of raising $50,000 in 3 years.

• Following September 11^th, Leadership Arlington perseveres & goes on to hold its annual opening retreat just two days later,  resulting in a membership understanding of how critical a prepared and inclusive leadership is to our community.

• In February, Leadership Arlington holds its first annual Homecoming Day, with a focus on “Visioning.”  65% of the membership attends.

• The Speaker Series is launched as a resource for Arlingtonians to connect the 3 sectors—public, private and nonprofit—through community dialogues on relevant topics.

2002

• Leadership Arlington debuts its website, allowing members to view the membership directory online and register for events.

2003 - Five Year Anniversary

• Youth Program launches, which develops leadership skills and connects high school youth with opportunities for community service, civic participation, & philanthropy.

2004

• 16 Arlington County high school students graduate as the introductory class of the Leadership Arlington Youth Program.

• Leadership Arlington completes its goal of raising $50,000 for its endowment, resulting in a $10,000 matching contribution.

2005

• Membership study reveals that Leadership Arlington members donate more than 6,000 volunteer hours annually to the community.

• Class reunions commence to be held annually to engage and re-connect Leadership Arlington members.

2006

• Leadership Arlington, in conjunction with Verizon, incorporates an ethics component as an overlay to the Signature Program.  The program’s curriculum now begins with Building Ethics in Our Community and concludes with Ethical Path of Leadership – It’s Your Turn.

• Leadership Arlington hosts its first annual Monte Carlo Night at Reagan National Airport’s Historic Terminal A.  The event’s silent auction raises funds for the Youth Program.

2007

• Leadership Arlington receives the prestigious ABBIE Award for small business of the year, service division, presented by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce & Arlington Economic Development.

2008 - Ten Year Anniversary

• Leadership Arlington creates The Leadership Center, which challenges members to commit “10 Good Deeds” through donating time, talent or treasures.
• Leadership Arlington introduces ON BOARD!, which trains community nonprofit board members in maximizing the efficacy of their service.
• Leadership Arlington offers free professional coaching to any member from an International Coaching Federation certified professional coach.

2009

• Leadership Arlington establishes a Community Mind Trust in order to gather human capital in the Arlington community to help local organizations from all sectors weather the storm of challenging economic times.

• Despite an economic downturn, Leadership Arlington closes its fiscal year with excess funds.  Only 12% of nonprofits in the Metropolitan Washington region are able to do so.

2010

• Leadership Arlington launches its Executive Forums, an initiative aimed at providing a confidential learning environment for CEOs, business owners, and executives to grow as leaders and seek counsel from their peers.

• Leadership Arlington establishes the Leadership Institute of Northern Virginia, a branch of programming focusing at creating capacity at regional nonprofit organizations.

• Leadership Arlington initiates its Young Professionals Program, which invests in the future of the community’s leadership through training emerging leaders in the key issues and skills that ensure success.

2011

• Leadership Arlington launches its redesigned website, with enhanced membership directory capabilities, integrated ecommerce, interactive social networking tools, a comprehensive web calendar and fully-integrated applications for each program.
• Leadership Arlington has the biggest staff in its history, with 5 full-time staff members, including a President & CEO, COO, Communications Coordinator, Events Coordinator, Program Coordinator.
• Leadership Arlington’s membership includes more than 700 members.
• Leadership Arlington’s President & CEO is honored with the prestigious Preceptor Award from the Association of Leadership Professionals.
• Leadership Arlington receives the Arlington Community Foundation Prize for Innovation and Impact, an award given an Arlington-based nonprofit organization that, has the ability to change lives and make a lasting difference in Arlington County.