Ashe County Chamber of Commerce is inviting applications for the upcoming class of Leadership Ashe 2012, an innovative and highly successful leadership development program designed to assist new and emerging community leaders in building their skills and learning more about Ashe County. The purpose of Leadership Ashe 2012 is the continued improvement of Ashe County and community. Visits with Ashe County community and government leaders offer opportunities to interact with those who make Ashe County successful. The four-month long program will enable participants to gain a realistic understanding of how Ashe County works and to help create an awareness of the community’s current issues and interests. Participants are encouraged to explore the community in depth and they are challenged to become involved in the issues that affect them. The Leadership Ashe 2012 program starts with a full-day retreat on Saturday, Sept. 8 and concludes with a graduation ceremony and dinner on Dec. 4. Following the retreat, Leadership Ashe 2012 will meet 1:45-5 p.m., every other Tuesday for a total of six half-day sessions from September through November. Each session will explore a different aspect of the Ashe County community including government (9/18), health and human services (10/2), education (10/16), business and economic development (10/30), arts (11/13), and physical infrastructure (11/27). Each session will be held at a different location chosen for its connection to the session’s topic. This allows first-hand, on-site experiences with a series of knowledgeable speakers. Dr. Wally Hannum, who directed Leadership Ashe 2011, will direct the Leadership Ashe 2012 program again this year. The cost for participation is $135 per person. For more information about Leadership Ashe 2012 visit the www.leadershipashe.com website or contact Wally Hannum (Hannum@unc.edu). Applications for Leadership Ashe 2012 are due by Aug. 31 and are available on the website, at the chamber office on Jefferson Avenue in West Jefferson, or by calling Ashe County Chamber of Commerce at 336-846-9550.