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With the registration deadline less than a week away, Leadership Winchester’s class of 2021 is already more than half full.

The annual 10-month program designed to help those living and working in Winchester to know the community better is continuing, while being socially distant and meeting prevailing health guidelines.

Winchester Chamber of Commerce Director Cindy Banks, who organizes the program, said the current class has participated virtually for its last two sessions. Virtual participation will probably continue.

“Our orientation will be in person,” she said. “The only thing maybe we can’t do is tour factories.”

The class meets one Thursday a month for a different theme. Sessions for the 2020-21 class include tourism, education, non-profits, economic development, state government, local government, health services and agriculture.

“If we have to go virtual, it’s fine,” she said. “We did local government virtually. The last two classes were virtual. There were great conversations.”

The trade off, of course, is not having the personal interaction between class members, she said.

“I don’t feel they’ll miss much other than getting time in person and forming relationships,” Banks said.

Everyone who graduates from the program will be added to a list forwarded to local government officials for possible committee appointments within the community.

“By making that commitment to Leadership, that means you want to be involved,” she said.

Banks said she hopes to have 22 participants, and 14 have already registered. Cost is $500 per person, and scholarships are available. For more information, call Banks at 744-5627. Registration deadline is presently Sept. 3.