The LSP Program
LSP challenges its class members to view issues in our community, state, and nation as opportunities. Through class interaction and discussions with community leaders, LSP stimulates creative thinking, and, ultimately, community leaders emerge with new resources and knowledge to face their everyday challenges.
Leadership Development
LSP includes three leadership development events: Opening Retreat, Mid-year Retreat, and Closing Retreat. Provided by the Eckerd College Leadership Development Institute, class members receive high-quality, assessment-based leadership development designed to help individuals, teams, and organizations achieve their full potential. Participants enjoy high energy, team building activities with immediate personal and professional insights to bring back to their organizations.
Seminar Curriculum
LSP’s curriculum is updated annually to remain relevant, with survey data collected and compiled throughout the year to continually improve each year’s seminars. You can count on a program that covers the most important facets of our great city with seminar programming that is engaging, interactive, and timely. Examples of seminars include: Unique St. Pete, Diversity, Healthcare, Education, State Government, Local Government, and St. Pete Culture.
2022 Seminar Schedule
LSPAA Holiday Social
Orientation Dinner
Opening Retreat (1-1⁄2 night stay)
St. Pete History Seminar
Class Project Kickoff Meeting (Optional)
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Seminar
Class Project Scope Meeting (Optional)
State Government Seminar (2 nights, 3 days)
Environmental Sustainability
St. Pete Culture Seminar
Economic Development Seminar
Mid-Year Retreat
Criminal Justice Seminar
Education Seminar
Healthcare & Social Services Seminar
Local Government Seminar
Class Project Day
Applying Leadership
Closing Retreat
Graduation Dinner
December 9, 2021
December 15, 2021
January 7-8, 2022
January 18, 2022
January 25, 2022
January 27, 2022
February 1, 2022
February 7-9, 2022
February 22, 2022
March 3, 2022
March 15, 2022
March 25, 2022
April 7, 2022
TBA, week of April 18, 2022
May 3, 2022
May 18, 2022
May 21, 2022
June 3, 2022
June 10, 2022
TBA, week of June 15, 2022
Class Project
Each class gives back to our community through The Class Project, a civic-engagement, physical facility improvement project that is completed during the term of the program. A typical Class Project requires the class to create awareness, fundraise, and work hands-on at the nonprofit’s site to rehab a location in need of some tender loving care. It’s up to the class to organize roles and figure out how to accomplish this task!
What Can You Expect From LSP?
LSP challenges you to look at the problems and decision-making processes in our community, state and nation. You can expect a lot of interaction among class members and face-to-face contact with community leaders that will stimulate creative thinking and help identify ways class members can become more involved in our community. Each participant will assist in planning a seminar in collaboration with your fellow team members. Additionally, throughout the program you will be collaborating with others on a large class project that benefits a local nonprofit organization, always culminating in at least one full day of work.
Participant Information
Participants in the program are referred to as “class members.” LSP class members are selected by the Planning Committee from candidates who submit a written application and participate in a face-to-face interview process.
What is the Timeline for a Typical LSP Class Year?
The LSP Planning Committee spends six months (July – December) securing sponsorships and determining the overall content and goals of the seminars which occur between December and June.
Applications for the upcoming LSP class year have traditionally been made available at the end of August, with a deadline to submit completed applications by the end of September. Interviews then take place in November with the final class members selected by the end of November. The new class is introduced to the LSP Alumni Association at the December Holiday Social. Seminars run from December through May. The planning process for the next year then begins in July.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
You must do business or live in the St. Petersburg area and be at least 22 years of age at the time of signing your application. Nominees must have the full support of the organization, corporation or company they represent.