Posts Tagged ‘Leadership Whitley County’
Enthusiastic group embarks on 11th Leadership Whitley County class
A fresh group of new faces joined together in September to embark on their journey as members of the 11th 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 21st 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.
Tags: 11, 2011-2012, Class, Leadership Whitley County
Class 11 kicks off in September with interactive retreat at Peabody Library
WELCOME to the 21 members of Leadership Whitley County Class 11 (2011-2012): 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. This group promises to be an amazing addition to the LWC program!
LWC’s First Friday Networking hosts mayoral candidates
April kicked off with Leadership Whitley County’s First Friday Networking event at the Whitley County Historical Museum in Columbia City. Republican candidates for mayor participated in an informative yet casual dialogue with those in attendance.
Columbia City Operations Manager and LWC alum Jeff Walker poses a question to the candidates while museum director and current class member Dani Tippmann listens intently.
Candidate Gary Parrett
Candidate Ryan Daniel
Candidate Don Sexton
Tags: Columbia City, Leadership Whitley County, LWC, mayor
Leaders Learn About Eagle Tech
Leadership Whitley County alumni and guests gathered at Big G's in Columbia City for the March edition of First Friday Networking. Eagle Tech Director Brady Mullett provided an update on the project-based learning facility slated to open at the start of the 2011-2012 school year. In addition to fielding questions from those in attendance, Mullett shared his enthusiasm for the cutting-edge educational initiative offered to students in the Whitley County Consolidated School System. FFN is a monthly gathering of Leadership Whitley County alumni, providing an opportunity for networking and information sharing.
Tags: Eagle Tech, FFN, First Friday Networking, Leadership Whitley County, LWC
Leadership Class works on resolving conflict and focusing on facilitation
“Conflict Management and Effective Facilitation,” was the main topic of discussion during the February session of Leadership Whitley County, held at the South Whitley Library. The day’s session was sponsored by AgPlus and ProFed Credit Union.
Prior to the main program, school board members representing the county’s three school corporations engaged with the class in a town-hall style format regarding the many challenges as well as opportunities facing each of their respective corporations. One LWC class participant stated “I learned a great deal from the school board panel. It was helpful to gain a better insight into how processes are handled. The panel has given me a greater knowledge base to make more informed decisions and have a more informed opinion!” while another class member offered the following; “I was so amazed at what I learned. Very eye opening. I really want to go to a school board meeting and be more involved now.” Each Leadership Whitley County session incorporates an awareness segment featuring local information pertinent to our community or the class. Representatives on the panel were Jorell Tucker, LWC alumni and board member of Whitko School Corporation; Don Armstrong, Whitley County Consolidated School Board of Trustees; Mike Sturgis, Smith-Green Community School Corporation.
Mike Stone of Impact Strategies and Lee Ray of Tuthill Corporation in Fort Wayne facilitated the main session focusing on conflict management and effective facilitation. Class members participated in interactive discussion focusing on effective group behavior, facilitation roles and conflict management. Participants used real-life examples to explore the role of conflict in our lives, and how it can ultimately provide a win-win situation provided there is compromise and consensus. Ray, HR Director at Tuthill Corporation in Fort Wayne, overviewed the Trickster’s Triangle and Radical Responsibility, skills the class 10 members found to be quite useful. One LWC participant stated “I found the practical application materials to be valuable! The trickster’s triangle can be a great tool to utilize with employees.”
The support of local business, industry and organizations is key to the success of Leadership Whitley County. Sponsors for the tenth year of Leadership Whitley County include: Micropulse, Inc., Century Link, NIPSCO, Old Settler’s Day Association, Ag Plus, Esther Smith Personal Finance, J & J Insurance, Steel Dynamics, Inc., Pro Fed Credit Union, Schrader Real Estate and Auction, Crossroads Bank, J & K Communications, www.talkofthetownwc.com and LWC Alumni: Scott Darley, Betty Graves, Mark Green, June Keiser, September McConnell, John Slavich, Esther Smith, Jeff Walker, Melinda Woll, Jacie Worrick. 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 final session for Class 10 of Leadership Whitley County will be on March 17 at Five Star Distributing and focus on personal mission. A celebration graduation is planned in April at the Eagles Nest Event Center. Planning and recruiting for the next class of Leadership Whitley County is currently underway. For more information on participating in the 2011/12 class, supporting the program, or having an informational presentation made to your business or organization regarding Leadership Whitley County, click on the email address on the “contact us” section of this website.
Tags: conflict management, facilitation, Leadership Whitley County, LWC, session, sponsors
Awareness of school board roles heightened at recent LWC session
Representatives of the three Whitley County school corporations recently met in a town-hall format with current LWC class members. The engaging dialogue focused primarily on budget issues and other challenges and opportunities facing the corporations. One LWC class participant stated "I learned a great deal from the school board panel. It was helpful to gain a better insight into how processes are handled. The panel has given me a greater knowledge base to make more informed decisions and have a more informed opinion!" while another class member offered the following; "I was so amazed at what I learned. Very eye opening. I really want to go to a school board meeting and be more involved now." Each Leadership Whiltey County session incorporates an awareness segment featuring local information pertinent to our community or the class. Pictured are, from left, Jorell Tucker, LWC alumni and board member of Whitko School Corporation; Don Armstrong, Whitley County Consolidated School Board of Trustees; Mike Sturgis, Smith-Green Community School Corporation.
Tags: awareness, Leadership Whitley County, LWC, school board, Whitley County
Food and Wine Spectacular
The date is set! On Thursday, November 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. enjoy a showcase of over 100 wines and delicious food at the Eagles Nest Event Center. A special VIP hour will be offered this year form 6 – 7 p.m. More details to come your way later this summer.
Tags: event, Leadership Whitley County
Alumin Picnic to kick-off next LWC season
Mark your calendars for Sunday, August 23 from 5-7 p.m. (rain date August 30). A LWC Alumni picnic will be held at the new pavilion in Morsches Park! The Splash Pad will be open for your enjoyment, baseball and flag football equipment and fields will be open as well as cornhole and hillbilly golf. LWC will provide roast pork, drinks, chips and dessert. Bring your family and enjoy a nice, relaxing evening. We are seeking a few sponsors for this event, so if you are interested please contact Kelley. Let’s make this a great event for alumni and their families!
Tags: event, Leadership Whitley County
Leadership Whitley County Seeks Applicants
The opportunity to participate in the next class of Leadership Whitley County is now! As the eighth year of the successful program draws to a close, recruitment is in full swing for the next group of servant leaders.
Tuition to the program is $600, which includes all meals and materials. There is no travel or lodging expenses. Interested in learning more about Leadership Whitley County or desire to participate? Click on the “About” link to learn more and submit an application today. For questions, contact LWC Program Director Kelley Sheiss at 213-4045 or via e-mail at director@leadershipwc.org. All applicants must be submitted by the end of June and tuition is due in full by September 1. A limited number of participants will be accepted, so plan to apply today!
Tags: applicants, Leadership Whitley County, news
