Inclusion, C & A Tool highlight LWC November session

Learning partners Laura Richcreek (left) of Whitley County Habitat for Humanity and Joe Kieffer (right) of Advanced Assembly participate in a blindfold trust activity to kick-off the session.

Leadership Whitley County (LWC) traveled to C & A Tool in Churubusco for its November session focusing on Diversity and Inclusion.

 The morning kicked-off with a trust activity involving blindfolds and specific activities.  This icebreaker provided an excellent opportunity for class members to reconnect, build trust among each other and recognize non-verbal cues.   Following a debriefing of the exercise, LWC participants provided informative and entertaining reports on their county tour experience conducted in October.   Small teams visited different locations within Whitley County, pictures taken were assembled in collages and each group presented their tour report as the awareness portion of the November session.  A variety of interesting facts relating to Whitley County were shared in the reports.  Class members had the opportunity to visit with a variety of individuals during their tour, including staff at AgPlus in South Whitley, Shawn Ellis, Director of B.A.B.E. and Chuck Jones of the Churubusco Historical Society.

The main topic for the day focused on Diversity and Inclusion presented by Merrily Hamp of Organizational and Leadership Development.   The program focused on diversity of thoughts, attitudes, assumptions and stereotypes.  Class members were asked to discuss diverse characteristics of others we see, as well as those that may not be visible.  Participants engaged in a variety of interesting dialogue and group activities throughout the three-hour program, including a privilege walk that resulted in a detailed reflection of the activity.

Following the session, the LWC class enjoyed a catered lunch by Mountaintop Coffeehouse and a tour of the C & A Tool facility by LWC alum and C & A Tool employee Todd Rehrer.   The tour included in an inside look at the company’s every day operations  and examples of the newest technology the company is using to remain a cutting-edge, successful business.

LWC Class members (from left): Zach Ziliak of Star Insurance, Samara Qureshi of Columbia City High School, Katie Barnett of Whitko High School and Chelsey Barrell of the Whitley County Community Foundation enjoy the discussion on inclusion at the November LWC session.