COMMUNITY NEWS
CHAUTAUQUA STAR
FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 2014
9
Chautauqua Leadership Network Welcomes New Class Of Community Leaders
Contributed Article
CLN
Twenty six individuals representing
businesses and organizations from
throughout Chautauqua County
gathered in Bellinger Hall on the
grounds of Chautauqua Institution in
February to complete a two-and-ahalf-day retreat designed to identify
each person's leadership style, build
new relationships with other community leaders and launch nine months
of leadership development and community awareness opportunities.
Now in its 22nd year, Chautauqua
Leadership Network is a not-forprofit organization designed to
identify, recruit, train and network
area professionals. To date, approximately 500 county residents
have participated in the program,
which was founded to replenish an
aging population of invested leaders
by developing effective community
leaders who will continue to address
the challenges and opportunities
facing Chautauqua County.
Members of Chautauqua Leadership Network’s Class of 2014 during their
retreat weekend in February.
Class members, most of whom have
been nominated by their employer
to participate in the program, arrive
at the retreat with little information about the weekend's activities.
Through a series of hands-on activities, class members learn more
about themselves and each other and
begin a discussion of the values of the
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different leadership styles and how
and when those styles can be most
effective. Led by facilitator Larry
Robinson of Partners and Robinson
of Williamsville, with the assistance
of several Chautauqua Leadership
Network alumni, the retreat follows a
rigorous schedule of self-assessment,
conversation, group presentations
and experiential activities.
“The activities kept both our minds
and bodies moving at all times,” said
class member Ben Lindquist, executive director of Chautauqua Striders.
“We were intellectually and creatively challenged to push beyond our
comfort zone. I look forward to what
the rest of the year brings.”
Scott Nuccio of Integrated Benefit
Solutions said, “I learned more
about leadership in three short days
at the retreat than I have in my
entire working career.”
Following its February retreat, the
network's Class of 2014 was welcomed to the organization with a
reception March 8 at Shaggy’s in Bemus Point. The group has now begun
monthly sessions of mostly half-day
workshops covering such topics as
business and economic development,
boardsmanship and ethics. The curriculum also includes group projects
that allow class members to gain a
broad knowledge of the assets of the
Chautauqua County community.
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