Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce’s Junior Leadership Program

Previously an executive at Crown Growth Partners, Geoff Block oversees the day-to-day operations of RLB Squared, LLC. Based in Bluffton, South Carolina, Geoff Block supports the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, which runs the Junior Leadership Program.

The Junior Leadership Program is a unique program for high school students designed to help them identify and nurture their leadership skills. The program allows teens to interact with local leaders and decision-makers while challenging them to participate in community activities and volunteer where help is needed.

The annual program runs from August to the end of the school year in May. Participants are required to attend a class one Wednesday every month from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. This requires them to miss a school day, which they are expected to make up. The classes are run by a volunteer board of trustees.

The program only admits sophomores with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or its equivalent. Eligible students can apply by submitting an application form on the organization’s website. Qualified sophomores are interviewed and final selection is made in May, two months before the program commences in August.