July 29 , 2021 The Beacon • 5

Leadership Coshocton County makes a lasting impact

By Josie Sellers

For 30 years Leadership Coshocton County , a program of the Coshocton Foundation , has helped people develop their leadership skills and expand their knowledge of the community .

“ There were a lot of amazing experiences and learning opportunities provided in LCC , but I think the concept that has stayed with me for over 20 years now is the ideal of becoming a servant leader — that and realizing that it ’ s so not about me ,” said Bob Pell , Class of 1997 . “ As an LCC graduate I found myself seeking out opportunities to serve in athletic booster groups , our church , city government and in my career choices .”

The first LCC class graduated in 1992 , and since then more than 400 people have become alumni of the program .

“ The program opens your eyes to the community issues and challenges ,” said Scott Frank , Class of 2017 . “ The networking opportunities are priceless .”

Lisa McCoy , Class of 2019 , learned a great deal from participating in Leadership Coshocton County .

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Every year the leadership class wraps up with a closing retreat . The Class of 2021 had its closing retreat at The Township Room in Roscoe Village with Vicki Maple and Cassie Kane .

“ It was an honor and privilege to be part of this group ,” she said . “ As part of the alumni , I now also get to continue my learning while helping plan various alumni events .”

One of the many skills McCoy learned was to be authentic . “ If you aren ’ t the one writing the chapters to your life , then who is ? It ’ s important to do self-evaluations because we are constantly changing ,” she said .

The leadership program was initiated by Coshocton Foundation President Robert Thomas . One of his goals was to train and motivate people to become

involved and take on leadership roles .

“ The community has shown me various ways to be involved on the smallest level to the largest and has provided crucial networking opportunities with the many amazing people in it ,” McCoy said . “ It has opened my eyes to what an enriching place we live in , with many amazing community leaders and opportunities galore . I ’ m very proud and blessed to call Coshocton home .”

Tiffany Swigert has always been proud to call Coshocton home , and LCC helped her learn even more

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Team-building activities are a key part of programing days and the Leadership Coshocton County experience .

about where she was raised .

“ I was a graduate of the 2011-12 program when I was serving as the executive director of the Coshocton County Regional Planning Commission and the safety coordinator for the Coshocton County commissioners ,” she said . “ I regularly and proudly announce that I was born and raised in Coshocton County , and I admittedly thought that I knew a great deal about our community . I was astonished at the amount of information gained about this incredible place that I choose to call home .”

The Leadership Coshocton County class participants meet once a month for program days that Swigert said are packed full of information , conversations and tours .

“ I gained friendships and have taken enormous pride in watching my fellows grow in their professional careers and further plant seeds in Coshocton ,” she said . “ I have had the privilege of participating in other program days throughout the years and can truly say that the adult and youth programs are so impactful . I learn something new at every event I attend and leave feeling so grateful that we have a program like this in our community .”

Jandi Adams , Class of 2016 , said LCC is pretty amazing , and she has enjoyed helping with program days .

“ I continue to gain and grow through the programs even now ,” she said . “ Volunteer alums are sought to assist with the various program days each year . Although the programs seem to get better and better each year , it ’ s more about getting to meet the new class of amazing people that represent various crosssections of our community . It makes for great conversations and learning opportunities . I wish all my friends got to experience Leadership Coshocton County .”

One of the program days typically focuses on Coshocton County history .

“ I learned about the history of Main Street and the importance of the history of our entire Coshocton County community ,” said Carly Thompson , Class of 2018 . “ We have such a rich history that I feel is definitely underrated — not in the ‘ has been ’ negative manner , but rather shows where we were , where we went , where we are today

See LCC Page 7

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The Coshocton County Beacon July 29, 2021 | Page 5

Leadership Coshocton County makes a lasting impact

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