LWC members practiced short speeches that were evaluated by fellow class members.

Cold, snowy weather did not deter Leadership Whitley County participants from enjoying their January session focusing on practical public speaking.   Held at Parkview Whitley Hospital, the session involved LWC alumni working with class members on practical public speaking, easing fears and understanding personalities via an entertaining and enlightening animal personality exercise.     Carrie Hoffman of the Parkview Whitley Foundation and Brian More of Micropulse, two polar opposite personality styles, provided an entertaining and informative segment on animal personalities.   Seasoned public speaker Jim Landrum of  Star Financial Bank followed with a dynamic overview of tips and personal speaking experiences.    Shawn Ellis, Executive Director of BABE and Sherry Sausaman, founder of the Whitley County Domestic Violence Task Force, worked with class members on a self-confidence exercise that proved challenging and enlightening.   Jennifer Romano offered valuable tips on working the media.  Following a review of feedback suggestions, participants broke into small groups and practiced short speeches which were evaluated by fellow team members.    As an introduction to public speaking, the session began with a motivating presentation by Columbia City High School FFA members on parliamentary procedure.    The students then answered a diverse variety of questions from the class relating to their leadership experiences, agriculture, their future plans and perceptions of the Whitley County Community.    The combination of the alumni facilitators and the outstanding presentation by the Columbia City High School FFA provided a rewarding session for class members.

The support of local business, industry and organizations is key to the success of Leadership Whitley County.  Sponsors for the eleventh year of Leadership Whitley County include:  Micropulse, Inc., J & J Insurance, The Benton and Thelma Bloom Fund,  Old Settler’s Day Association, the Dekko Foundation and over 60 LWC alumni.  This support, financial and/or in-kind, serves as a key to success for offering quality programs that compose the core of Leadership Whitley County.

The February session of Leadership Whitley County will be held at the South Whitley Library   and focus on the current and popular topic of Emotional Intelligence.  For more information on participating in the next class of Leadership Whitley County, supporting the program, or having an informational presentation made to your business or organization, contact Kelley Sheiss, Program Director at info@leadershipwc.org.

The Columbia City High School FFA Parliamentary Procedure team received high marks from LWC class members regarding their impressive demonstration

Welcome new Leadership Whitley County Policy Council members Tara VanHouten, Bob Sollazzo and Kelley Stetler!

LWC alum and Executive Director of BABE details the important programs the organization offers Whitley County's youngest residents.

The December session of Leadership Whitley County convened at the media center of Whitko High School in South Whitley.  The morning kicked off with an informative awareness session featuring a panel of local non-profit organizations.  Panel members included:  Shawn Ellis of Beds and Britches, Etc., Gene Donaghy, board member for Junior Achievement of Whitley County, Lindsay Best of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Cara Greulich of Whitley County YMCA and Katherine MacAulay of the Red Cross of Northeast Indiana.  Each panel member had the opportunity to provide an overview of their organization, detail its benefits to the community, and highlight areas for possible volunteer involvement.   LWC class members then had the opportunity to ask questions of the panel members.

The main topic for the day was “Teamwork and Servant Leadership,” facilitated by trainers from the uLEAD program in North Webster.  Lively activities were incorporated throughout the session, many of which focused on communication as a critical tool of teamwork.   In addition, the Proxemics Relational Space Theory was presented along with defining servant leadership versus self-serving leadership.    Class members worked on growing trust and opening the lines of communication in order to enhance teamwork in their personal, professional and community activities.

Carrie Meyer (left) of Taylor University and Kristi Maloney (right) of The Oaks prepare for a sword finger duel as part of a teamwork exercise that kept class members moving!

Class members participated in an exercise that required no verbal communication, testing their patience but also enhancing their understanding of working together for a common goal.

A fresh group of new faces joined together in September to embark on their journey as members of the 11^th class of Leadership Whitley County.      Participants had the opportunity to introduce each other through a learning partner activity and learn more about the Leadership Whitley County program at an evening orientation held at CC Deli in mid-September, followed by a day and a half retreat held at the Peabody Public Library.   The retreat focused on aspects of servant leadership, personality styles, visioning, timelines and community action project selection.

 Activities and discussion for the retreat included discovering personal learning styles, developing talent boards for class members, identifying the assets and needs of Whitley County, the purpose of leadership, and visioning a preferred future for Whitley County.  Class participants were challenged to identify servant leaders in their own lives and share significant life experiences through a totem truths activity. The retreat concluded with a reflection on what was learned and a deeper appreciation for the members of the class.  During the retreat, class members chose a topic of interest to them and formed class product teams.  These teams will take steps to connect a vision with a goal that will ultimately increase awareness and/or make a contribution to the community.   One team has chosen to focus on the development of a community theater facility, another team is investigating opportunities to educate and excite elementary students about servant leadership, and the third team has chosen a goal of enhancing community marketing for Whitley County.

 LWC is a unique, eight-month “personal journey” designed to educate and inform local citizens interested in assuming leadership roles about the functions, challenges, and opportunities of WhitleyCounty.  The program also works with participants to identify key personal and professional goals, skills and missions.  Program goals include:  educating individuals on skills necessary for leadership in the 21^st century, creating a diverse pool of servant leaders (class members will have the chance to serve as non-voting interns on a local not-for-profit board during their class time or attend local government meetings) and increasing citizen and business/industry involvement throughout the county. 

 The 2010-11 year of Leadership Whitley County will include programs on collaboration, diversity, conflict management and facilitation, public speaking, personal mission, and a county tour.  Each year, the program is designed to address current issues and topics facing the local community and its residents.  Monthly sessions rotate in locations in Churubusco,ColumbiaCityandSouth Whitley.  Upon conclusion of the program, LWC participants become a part of a strong alumni group that continues to provide servant leadership activity toWhitleyCounty.

 The support of local business, industry and organizations is key to the success of Leadership Whitley County.  Supporters of  the 2011-2012 year include:  Micropulse, Inc., J & J Insurance, The Benton and Thelma Bloom Fund,  Old Settler’s Day Association, the Dekko Foundation and over 60 LWC alumni.  This support, financial and/or in-kind, serves as a key to success for offering quality programs that compose the core of Leadership Whitley County. 

Participants and their local employers and organizations who are supporting staff participation in the program this year include: Peter Allen, PNC Bank; Katie Barnett, Whitko High School; Chelsey Barrell, Whitley County Community Foundation; Ryan Crowder, Allstar Communications; Megan Devito, Swim Coach and Avon Representative; Brandi Herron, Churubusco High School; Luke Hollmann, Undersea Sensor Systems, Inc.; Heather Holzinger, Star Financial Bank; Joseph Kieffer, Advanced Assembly; Shawn Lickey, Columbia City Electrical Department; Kristi Maloney, Parkview Oaks; Mark Mathias, Micropulse; Aaron Mathieu, Whitley County Historical Museum; Carrie Meyer, Taylor University; Dennis Norris, Norris Insurance Agency; Lindsay Pease, Whitley County Humane Shelter; Samara Qureshi, Columbia City High School; Laura Richcreek, Habitat for Humanity of Whitley County; Kristine Straub, Whitley County Literacy Council; Zach Ziliak, Star Insurance; Julie Zollinger, Parkview Whitley Hospital. 

 Employers may find the value of skill building opportunities Leadership Whitley County has to offer individuals.   Local business and industry is strongly encouraged to consider supporting an employee’s participation in the program for the benefit of the individual and the workplace.   LWC provides the opportunity for employees to garner enhanced leadership skills, further develop people skills, and provide the potential for increased visibility and community outreach.

LWC alum and 4th grade teacher Michelle Ball proudly stands by a chart maintained by her students as part of the "Paper Clips Can Make a Difference" program.

Just over 18 years ago, Michelle Ball decided a career change was in order.   A business major in college, she pursued a second career in education, receiving her teaching degree.   Currently a 4^th grade teacher at Pierceton Elementary School in Pierceton, the Leadership Whitley County alum couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.   Several years ago, Michelle was encouraged by friend and LWC alum Mick Long to apply for the seventh class of Leadership Whitley County.  

“Mick really recommended the program and I thought highly of him,” said Michelle, speaking from her colorful classroom full of learning opportunities.   The challenge for her was to balance a day out of the classroom each month in order to attend the regular LWC sessions.  The Whitko School Corporation agreed to provide support in the form of a substitute for her classroom so Michelle could participate in the program.  

Michelle became an integral part of LWC’s seventh year, consistently providing valuable input and serving as an active part of the class structure.  She and her husband Pat even took full advantage of the pirate theme at the class celebration and dressed as sea-faring folks.   The real value of Michelle’s participation in Leadership Whitley County came after her graduation, when she was able to apply her learned servant leadership skills in the classroom with her students and at faculty trainings with fellow staff members.

Shortly after the LWC graduation, Michelle was given the opportunity to present a topic at her school staff retreat.   Michelle remembers at the time they had a new principal and she wasn’t sure how the focus of personal mission would be received.    She dedicated herself to the task, assembling notebooks for each staff member, challenging them to “find their treasure at Pierceton Elementary School.”   The feedback from her presentation was very positive, and she has utilized concepts learned from her time in the LWC program at subsequent staff meetings.

 In addition to sharing her servant leader skills with staff, Michelle stresses these experiences with her students as well.

“I so try to instill in students “it’s not about you” kind of thinking,” she said.  “It’s important to me to show them that.”

Michelle noted her biggest take-away from the LWC program was the whole servant leadership concept, especially the personal mission session.

 “I really believe I have done things now that are because of that…reaching goals, being more focused, being purposeful,” she said.   Michelle added the program influenced her decision to pursue a Lilly grant in the spring of 2010, which she received.  The $9,000 grant allowed her to spend the summer traveling overseas for seven weeks following the life of Anne Frank.  A very powerful experience for the elementary teacher, she now makes presentations to groups about her trip.  She also incorporates her journey in to classroom curriculum.

“The main way is through a 6-week after school enrichment program for 4^th and 5^th graders,” said Michelle.   She also pointed out a successful classroom project entitled “Paper Clips Can Make a Difference.”  Inspired by a display at Huntington North High School, Michelle challenges her students to collect paper clips in honor of the victims of Auschwitz.   They partnered with students at Huntington North and have even garnered paper clips from celebrities.   As of last spring, 15,688 paper clips had been collected.  Students are tasked with all aspects of the project, including contacts for donations and accurate record keeping.

The 2008 Leadership Whitley County alum isn’t slowing down in reaching her goals.   Michelle recently applied for her license to teach high ability students, noting her pursuit of this goal go back to her personal mission.

“Leadership Whitley County is definitely a program that can rejuvenate and light a spark within you.  I was inspired by what other people in our group did such as Terry Eberly and Judy (Bell) Mundy.  I was motivated.”

The 11^th class of Leadership Whitley County kicks off on September 13, 2011.  For more information on Leadership Whitley County, visit their website at www.leadershipwc.org, become a fan on Facebook, or contact Kelley Sheiss, Program Director, at 799-4045 or info@leadershipwc.org.

Friday, September 2, 2011 – 8 – 9 a.m. at BrewHa, Columbia City

Friday, October 7

Friday, November 4

Friday, December 9 (please note this is one week later than normal)

Tuesday, September 13   6 – 8 p.m.   CC Deli, Columbia City

 Retreat:  

Thursday, September 22  Noon to 5 p.m. Peabody Library, Columbia City  

Friday, September 23  8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Peabody Library, Columbia City

 Session Dates:

October:  10/20   8 a.m to 1:30 p.m.  

November:  11/17 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  

December:  12/15 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

January:  1/19  8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  

February:  2/16 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  

March:  3/15  8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.    

Celebration:

Thursday, April 19, 2011   6 – 8:30 p.m.   Eagles Nest Event Center