Rising Stars Program Application – 2027
Monday, January 18, 2027 8:00 AM - Monday, June 7, 2027 9:30 AM (CST)
Description
Introducing Rising Stars!
The Eau Claire Chamber is presenting Rising Stars — a professional development program where individuals will grow and develop valuable skills that will contribute positively to their company culture. It all starts with you!
Rising Stars, an opportunity brought to you by the Eau Claire Chamber in partnership with BetterCulture, is a collaborative development program designed to improve company culture, increase employee engagement, performance, and satisfaction. Through interactive workshops and meaningful discussions, this program empowers young professionals with the tools to be more successful in their day-to-day work and relationships, as well as develop a deeper understanding and self-awareness of their strengths and growth opportunities.
Rising Stars is more than a training—it’s an investment in cultivating young professionals who will make a lasting impact in the workplace and community they serve.
This high-impact program consists of ten 1.5-hour, in-person classes led by John Kleven, Associate Dean of Business, Arts and Sciences at Chippewa Valley Technical College. Click here to hear directly from John!
APPLICATION DUE DATE: Monday, January 11, 2027.
IMPORTANT: This application must be completed and submitted in one session. You will not be able to save an incomplete application and return later to finish it. We recommend reviewing the application requirements and gathering any information you may need before beginning.
About the Program
Who It’s For: Rising young professionals, typically 20–40 years old, who apply or are nominated by local businesses or organizations.
Program Format: Ten 90-minute sessions over approximately five months. Classes will meet on designated Mondays from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., January 18 through June 7, 2027.
Content: Participants engage with BetterCulture’s 20 Tenets of Culture, learning actionable skills and mindsets to thrive in their careers.
Focus Areas
- Building a positive, impactful workplace mindset
- Strengthening professional relationships
- Preparing for future leadership opportunities
- Discovering natural gifts to thrive in the workplace
- Connecting and learning with local business leaders and peers
Why Apply for Rising Stars?
- Recognize and invest in your top young professionals
- Build a stronger connection between local businesses and emerging talent
- Provide participants with real-world tools for career success and leadership readiness
- Retain top talent by showing them you value their growth and future potential
Rising Stars offers professional growth at a fraction of the cost of other leadership programs — without sacrificing quality.
Training Includes
- 20 assessment video lessons
- 20 coaching video lessons
- 15 hours of in-person learning
- Study Guide
- Facilitator-led workshops and discussions
- Networking opportunities
- Problem-solving frameworks
- Actionable and practical skills and takeaways
- Career and personal development
20 Tenets of Culture Include
- Coachable — Accept, appreciate, and even seek feedback.
- Helpful — Offer assistance eagerly and proactively.
- Assume Positive Intent — Grant colleagues the benefit of the doubt.
- Friendly Friction — Welcome intellectual conflict without making it personal.
- Welcoming — Take steps to ensure others feel included.
- Upbeat — Be positive, energetic, and hopeful.
- Forgiving — Choose to forgive missteps and relinquish grudges.
- Saying Thanks — Express frequent and meaningful appreciation to coworkers.
- Brag-'em-up! — Publicly praise and celebrate deserving coworkers.
- Gather & Sow — Pass along every compliment you hear.
- No Gossip — Discourage discussion of interpersonal drama.
- Kind — Be thoughtful and compassionate to coworkers.
- Restraint — Avoid topics likely to inflame personal conflict.
- All Aboard — Support team and company decisions once made.
- Friends — Create meaningful personal relationships with coworkers.
- Own It & Fix It — Acknowledge mistakes and repair any damage.
- Standing Up — Support managers who are protecting the team and culture.
- Tolerance — Accept or embrace diverse views and values.
- Unspeakables — Have the courage to start challenging conversations.
- Laughing Matter — Spread joy and have fun.
Selection Process, Tuition & Program Dates
The Rising Stars program will be limited to 20 participants.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received.
Given the limited spots available each year, applicants who are not selected are encouraged to reapply in future years. If the program reaches capacity, a maximum of two candidates per company may be selected for participation. If space remains available, additional candidates from the same company may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Tuition for the Rising Stars Program is $900 for Chamber investors. This covers all program costs, including class materials and refreshments.
No tuition fee is due when submitting an application. Applicants who are accepted into the program will be notified and billed after acceptance.
Payment of tuition is required upon acceptance into the program. Because funds are utilized immediately, no refunds will be made after January 31, 2027.
The Rising Stars 2027 cohort will meet in the Eau Claire Area Chamber WNB Conference Room on designated Mondays, beginning January 18, 2027, through June 7, 2027, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Rising Stars Sessions
Monday, January 18, 2027
Coachable & Helpful
Monday, February 1, 2027
Assume Positive Intent & Friendly Friction
Monday, February 15, 2027
Welcoming & Upbeat
Monday, March 1, 2027
Forgiving & Saying Thanks
Monday, March 15, 2027
Brag-'em-up! & Gather & Sow
Monday, April 5, 2027
No Gossip & Kind
Monday, April 19, 2027
Restraint & All Aboard
Monday, May 3, 2027
Friends & Own It & Fix It
Monday, May 17, 2027
Standing Up & Tolerance
Monday, June 7, 2027
Unspeakables & Laughing Matter
Images
101 N Farwell St. Suite 101
Eau Claire, WI 54703 United States
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