Leadership In The Community

In just a few short weeks, a new group of emerging community leaders will begin their two-year journey learning the ins and outs of Richland County. The program has produced many of the front runners who go on to shape the area’s business and community landscapes. About 226 have completed the program since its inception. Many graduates have since served on local school boards, city councils, county commissions, chambers of commerce, as well as other civic, community and professional groups.

The program was developed and sponsored by the Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce. The first year’s objective is to broaden the participants’ understanding of the place in which they live through issue days. Each issue day focuses on a different facet related to Richland County including recreation/tourism, agriculture, education, small business, health and human services, government and energy. Each session features leaders within the area who relate their own experiences and the important role of leadership in that facet.

The second year’s focus is hands-on. The participants will put their new skills to the test by working on a class project followed by planning an issue day for the following year’s class.

New community members can utilize the class to network and feel a part of the community. Longer-term community members can utilize the class to take on a deeper personal role in the community.

Vanessa Pooch, 2012 Leadership graduate, is an Agriculturalist at Sidney Sugars. “I really enjoyed the networking. It was also very eye-opening to see how both the town and community work. We toured several businesses. Speakers explained all of the essential roles that work together to make the community whole. Leadership is a critical foundation for community success and effective leadership is going to become even more important in addressing challenges and seizing opportunities.”

For more information about Sidney Leadership, please contact Marissa Eberling at the Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce office, 433-1916 or stop by their office at 909 S. Central Avenue in Sidney. Applications are due no later than August 17th.