What is Servant Leadership?

Leadership Whitley County, currently seeking applicants for its tenth year, is a program designed to develop servant leaders for our community. Often, the question is asked – What is Leadership Whitley County and what is servant leadership?

 Imagine what it would be like if more local people were charged up and inspired to build an extraordinary community, possessed the desire and confidence to assume new leadership roles and were empowered to make sound decisions and achieve strategic goals they truly understood. Leadership Whitley County provides the tools to reach these goals through a program designed to educate and inform local residents and employers about the functions and challenges of social issues and other topics relating to the future direction of Whitley County, Indiana.

The program is built upon the belief that local residents are best suited to create a vision for their community and should be empowered to do so. From homemakers to company owners, Leadership Whitley County provides networking opportunities and skill building activities for a variety of individuals. These assets can then be carried back to homes and workplaces, resulting in a positive experience for all who are touched by the LWC program.

Servant leadership, as defined by Webster’s Dictionary, Second Edition, is “a person employed to perform services for another” (servant) and “the position of guidance of others” (leadership).   But, to those individuals who serve as alumni and current participants of Leadership Whitley County, servant leadership is much more. It composes an attitude of humility, provides an example of integrity, recognizes servant intentions, builds upon the importance of respect for others, and responds to guidance. People feel served when they have been valued, trusted, supported, respected, challenged, rewarded, inspired and appreciated.

Servant leadership is the design for people to give back to themselves, individuals and their community. It involves character, truth, integrity and standing behind your word. It is not demonstrated by what you say, but by what you do. Effective Leadership starts on the inside. Are you prepared to be a servant leader for your community?

Leadership Whitley County would like to extend their appreciation to the alumni and most recent class of the program who have dedicated their time and effort to making Whitley County a better place to live. A sincere thank-you goes out to the business and industry of our community who have supported this program and its goals.

As Frances Hesselbein of the Drucker Foundation said, “The future, whatever it brings, needs leaders at every level who focus on the spirit within and their commitment to the common good.”

Leadership Whitley County provides the opportunity for those living and working in Whitley County to make a positive contribution to their community and garner self-improvement, both personally and professionally. The future of the community is in your hands…are you ready?

For more information on LWC, contact Kelley Sheiss, LWC Program Director, at 213-4045 or via e-mail at 3dsheiss@gmail.com Visit Leadership Whitley County’s website at www.leadershipwc.org or on Facebook.

Tags: Leadership, LWC, servant

A New Season of Leaders

From all areas of Whitley County and beyond, a unique group of individuals with diverse occupations and interests have started the fall season with the unique distinction of “the next class of Leadership Whitley County.”    The participants make up the largest class in over five years of the program, and in September they embarked on their servant leadership journey.   

Participants and their local employers and organizations who are supporting staff participation in the program this year include: Zach Beard, Micropulse; John Black, United Way of Whitley County; Karen Friend-Bowman,  Humane Shelter of Whitley County; Megan Burr, C & A Tool; Mike Cook, City of Columbia City; Kyle Egolf, The Center for Whitley County Youth; Robin Elsner, Passages; Carrie Garrison, Warner Electric; Angela Green, Great Batch Medical; Belinda Hawn, Habitat for Humanity of Whitley County; Carrie Hoffman, Huntington University EXCEL; Jim Landrum, Star Financial Bank; Michelle Linn, Americorps; Angela Maley, Whitley County Historical Museum; Betty Mishler, Whitley County Economic Development Corporation; Michael Peterson, City of Columbia City; Sherry Sausaman, Parkview Whitley Hospital; Diana Smith, Micropulse; Robert Sollazzo, MAHLE Clevite, Inc.; Patty Weybright, South Whitley Library/Whitko High School.

Tags: 2009, Class, Leadership, participants

Alumni enjoy picnic

Leadership season in Whitley County kicked off this week when approximately 30 Leadership Whitley County alumni, new class members and their families enjoyed a fun and relaxing evening on Sunday.   Hosted by the LWC Alumni Committee, a picnic was held at the new pavilion adjacent to Morsches Park.  Everyone enjoyed great food, fellowship, corn hole, and hillbilly golf.  Despite the cool evening,  a few brave young souls took advantage of the splash pad as well.  Thanks to everyone who attended.   A variety of opportunities are conducted throughout the year to keep LWC alumni connected, including First Friday Networking, special programs and regular email blasts.  To share news or updates with LWC alums, send your information to info@leadershipwc.org

Tags: alumni, Leadership, Whitley

Local organizations support LWC with scholarships

Read more

Tags: grants, Leadership, Old Settlers, Operation Round-Up, Whitley County