The Zachary Chamber of Commerce has announced the graduation date for its 2012 Leadership NORTH class.

Members of the second-annual Leadership NORTH series and 2013 participants will join in a combination graduation ceremony and 2013 kickoff event on Thursday, Feb. 21, beginning at 6 p.m.

Members of Leadership NORTH's 2011, 2012 and the new 2013 class participants are invited to save the date, but the location is pending and soon to be announced.

For those wishing to apply for the 2013 Leadership NORTH class, the deadline to submit your application is Thursday, Jan. 31.

For an application, please visit www.zacharychamber.com and look under the 'Quick Links' section to download.

The application contains plenty of information and answers questions you may have about 2013 Leadership NORTH.

Leadership NORTH is an annual leadership development program for the north Baton Rouge region hosted by the Zachary Chamber of Commerce with assistance from the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, LSU AgCenter and Dr. Bobby Soileau.

Participants in the program - persons living or working in Baton Rouge, Zachary, Central, Baker, Pointe Coupee or East and West Feliciana - have the full support of the organization or business they represent.

The program is designed to engage emerging leaders in the region and prepare them to meet the future needs of their communities. Participants are also exposed to challenges, opportunities and issues affecting their communities.

Participants will be chosen in mid-February and will meet once a month beginning Mar. 21 and ending Sept. 19.