Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Tidewater LEAD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations, including memberships, are 100% tax deductible under Internal Revenue Code Section 170. Tidewater LEAD is also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under Section 2055, 2106, or 2522.  

No. We are an independent organization with no affiliation to any specific school, religious organization, or political party. We maintain a neutral and inclusive stance to ensure that our members can engage in leadership development without any external affiliations or biases. 

Membership is open to students who are interested in personal development and leadership education. We believe in inclusivity and welcome individuals from all backgrounds to join our organization.  

Membership is available to middle school and high school teens in 7th-12th grades. Members come from all varieties of educational settings, including public school, private school, virtual school, and homeschool.

Visit our Membership page for more information and to join.

• Build a leadership-focused resume. 
• Access to year-round leadership development programs, conferences, and workshops.
• Opportunities to lead or engage in community service projects.
• Networking opportunities. 
• Opportunities to compete in events to showcase competencies, skills, and achievements.
• Access to awards and recognition programs.
• Opportunity to request relevant field trips and career exploration experiences.
• A supportive environment to practice leadership skills and gain real experience.
• Opportunity to enhance writing skills by contributing blogs or articles, with potential for publication. 
• Connect with mentors for the Congressional Award and recommendation/nomination letters.
• Earn an honor stole for graduating seniors (public and private school students should request guidance on graduation regalia from their Principal or Dean).
• Resource and referral for other personal development opportunities.

Dues serve a dual purpose within our organization. Firstly, they contribute to covering administrative and operational costs, allowing us to provide a seamless experience for our members. These costs include website maintenance, insurance, mail management, and other essential expenses that keep our organization running efficiently. Secondly, dues symbolize a commitment to our mission and a desire to be part of our community. Please note that we are a volunteer-run organization.

For some events, there might be additional minimal fees. These fees are solely to cover the specific costs associated with that event, such as room rentals, refreshments, supplies, awards, and more. It's important to note that we do not make any profit from events, and we are committed to ensuring access for all. Event scholarships are available for those in need to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder participation. 

We don't have a physical office, but we proudly serve in-person events in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, including Chesapeake, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Isle of Wight, Carrollton, and Smithfield. While our roots are local, our reach is nationwide. We extend a warm welcome to members from across the country, including military teens stationed overseas, to participate virtually.

No, we do not have regular meetings for our general student members. However, our Student Advisory Council does meet every other month, offering council members the opportunity to gather in-person and/or virtually to contribute to our organization's growth and development. 

To stay updated on our upcoming events and exclusive opportunities, active members are encouraged to access our members-only area of our website. Here, you'll find event registration and applications for the Student Advisory Council. You can also submit a request for mentorship, field trips, job shadowing, and more. Our goal is to provide a convenient hub for all our members' needs and interests.

Members will also receive notification of upcoming events and opportunities directly to their email. We also encourage members and supporters to follow our social media pages.

Yes! Volunteering is open to a diverse group. In addition to our volunteer programs for student members, we welcome adults who are interested in contributing to our mission. 

You can volunteer to assist with events, collaborate on field trips, provide job shadowing or career exploration opportunities, and much more. For the safety and well-being of our community, please note that all non-student member volunteers must be 19 years of age or older and pass a background check. 

Please visit our Support page to learn more!