• Invested in Healthy Relationships: Fellows are dedicated to developing healthy relationships with themselves, family members, friends, co-workers, mentors, and other Legacy Fellows. They find ways to help other Legacy Fellows thrive and are willing to keep themselves and others accountable to boldly finishing the program.

• Problem Solvers: Legacy Fellows must be willing to seek solutions when faced with problems and not be easily discouraged when they don’t see immediate answers. They are individuals committed to thinking of creative solutions for personal and professional challenges to remain committed to the program.

• Active Participants: Fellows are willing to be committed to bettering themselves personally and professionally through active engagement. They speak up and share their experiences and have the grit to commit to finishing the program. They must also commit to attending weekly meetings with other Legacy Fellows, mentors, and staff for 9 months. Fellows must check in with their mentors during sessions for personal and professional development/support. Any other meets set outside those times are at the mentor's and the fellow's discretion but are not required. They must commit to being flexible for two other special events, which will be communicated to them in advance, and attend a mandatory out-of-state weekend retreat. Event and trip expenses are included in the membership fee.

• Problem Solvers: Legacy Fellows must be willing to seek solutions when faced with problems and not be easily discouraged when they don’t see immediate answers. They are individuals committed to thinking of creative solutions for personal and professional challenges.

• Service Focused: Fellows are young adults who care about serving others; exemplifying selfless love, leading by example, and managing the needs of others is a top priority.

• Age & Education: Fellows are graduates from high school (may have some college or completed college) residing in Illinois and between the ages of 21-30, from diverse backgrounds and experiences. They may be previous participants from the Legacy Scholars program, but this is not a requirement for acceptance.

• All candidates must complete and submit the application, which includes one personal and professional reference. Please make sure to start the application process early so your references can submit their information before the deadline.

• Applications will be reviewed by Legacy Leaders staff and Legacy Mentors.

• Be on the lookout as you will be receiving an email to take part in a virtual interview.

Participants will learn of their selection via email and must sign a statement agreeing to meet the program and time commitments if selected. They also agree to the values of the Legacy Fellows Program and Legacy Leaders (leading organization), which includes but is not limited to full participation at monthly meetings, events, the retreat, networking, and promotion on behalf of the organization.

The following is our policy for all participants of the Legacy Fellows program. Failure to comply with any of the following can result in a warning or termination from the program.

• To arrive on time (15 minutes early) to all sessions and come prepared with my materials.

• Come with an open mind ready to receive from other leaders even when it comes to receiving feedback.

• If there is an emergency situation (described as illness or death in the family), the Fellow must contact Everett Gutierrez in advance via phone or email at least 3 days in advance. Missing excessively can terminate membership in the program as each Fellow can not miss more than one in-person session. Online sessions are primarily reserved for those that are joining the program that live out-of-state and must be approved to join via zoom in advance. Participating via zoom is only recommended when a participant has an emergency (as described above) and must be requested at least 24 hours in advance for approval by Everett Gutierrez.
  

• Be respectful and professional in speech and refrain from inappropriate language during Fellow meetings and program events.
  

• Meeting with mentors once a month during scheduled Legacy Fellows sessions and fully interact/participate in this experience. This includes asking for advice, receiving honest feedback and coming prepared with questions based on my learning. Fellows also agree to not engage in inappropriate conversations with mentors as the main focus is their professional development and should be confined to a professional nature. Mentors are to hold information confidential for the exception of sharing with Legacy Leaders staff.
  

• Fellows will dress business casual and appropriately for gatherings upon request.
  

• Fellows are to be committed to their self-growth and will come prepared to learn with a laptop/tablet/phone and notebook. They are responsible for completing all required monthly Legacy assignments before monthly meeting dates.

• Complete a capstone event at the end of the year based on skills and experience.

Legacy Leaders and its staff has the right to change or modify the policy at any time throughout the duration of the program without notice and can terminate a Fellow's membership in the program. Any Fellow in the program agrees to these terms through their participation.

In-Person Meeting Dates:

* July 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026 (8 AM - 2:30 PM) on every last Saturday of the month

* Two additional gatherings (Dates TBD)