new Leadership Pike class

By AMY S. LANSDON

News Editor

While students and teachers are getting back into the groove of school, the Pike County Chamber of Commerce is getting ready for a new year of Leadership Pike.

"We’re really looking for ward to the new year and a new class," said Jenniffer Barner, community development director for the Pike County Chamber of Commerce. "Leadership Pike is a good class for newcomers in Pike County and even for people who have lived here all their lives and want to learn more about the county."

Leadership Pike is an innovative program designed to prepare emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds for an active role in community affairs.

The program objective is to develop awareness and a rationale for involvement in current issues, opportunities and problems affecting Pike County.

Through face-to-face discussions with present community leaders and experts from organizations and institutions that help form the structure in our community, the specially selected individuals will develop an in-depth understanding of the interrelationships and complexities of our community. These learning experiences will accelerate the process of building a resource of community leaders.

"Other than learning about the county, Leadership Pike prepares citizens of Pike County to take on leadership roles in the community," Barner said. "The experiences in this unique program will have an immediate positive effect on participants, their organizations and their community.

Each will be better informed and more skilled in community leadership.

Every attempt will be made to place graduates of Leadership Pike on community boards, committees and in other assignments appropriate to the graduates’ interests and community needs."

The Leadership Pike program takes place over a 10-month period beginning with an orientation session in September. Regular daylong sessions begin in October and continue through May concluding with a wrap-up and graduation celebration in June. The seminars will focus on priority topics including: the history and quality of life in our area; government (state, county, and municipal); business, labor, and the economy; health and human services; environment/energy; education; boardsmanship; criminal justice; media and communications.

"Through these programs you can see how Leadership Pike is beneficial to Pike County residents," Barner said. ‘We encourage people to participate in the program and become more well-rounded citizens."

Applications are available for people who live and work in Pike County. A maximum of 20 people will have an opportunity to participate in the Leadership Pike program each year and a few spaces are still available for the class. The application deadline for the 2001-02 Leadership Pike class is today, however, applications turned in after the deadline will be considered for admission, Barner said.

"We really want people to take advantage of this program," Barner said. "If anyone is interest please call the Chamber office at 566-2294 or stop by and pick up an application."