Chamber announces grads of leadership program

The Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce announces the graduates of their 2011-2012 Leadership Greater Augusta program, with seven individuals successfully completing nine months of community awareness and leadership skills training.

The following are this year’s LGA graduates:  Jeffrey Burgener – Nibco; Jay Crawford – Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce; Christina Dovel – Hollister; Allison Fink – DuPont Community Credit Union; Brad Hewitt – Farm Credit; Mark Lotts – Staunton Nissan; and Annette Williams – Blue Ridge Community College. 

As part of the extensive LGA program, participants work on team projects designed to enhance community life.  Three such projects were recently completed:

·         Family Relocation Guide – housed on the Chamber’s website – to help newcomers to the area more easily navigate the maze of public and private services  in Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County.(http://augustava.com/family-relocation-guide-to-greater-augusta/).

·         Mentorship Training Orientation Video for Augusta County Schools, featuring topics such as Common Courtesy, Professional Dress, Working Independently, Proper Use of Electronic Devices, and Confidentiality.

·         Agritourism brochure, highlighting three successful Shenandoah Valley enterprises, and providing resources for individuals interested in exploring agritourism opportunities.

Led by Professional Development Consultant Judy Rannow, LGA participants focus on practical aspects of leadership, including problem-solving, effective communication, values/ethics, time management, and presentation skills.  The program uses the Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI) as a basis for building relationships and dealing effectively with conflict.  The program also introduces participants to different facets of life in the region, such as economic development, diversity issues, public education, community trusteeship, and the role of leadership in local government.

Applications for the 2012-13 LGA program will be accepted through Aug. 3; the program begins with a full-day retreat on Sept. 13, and runs through mid-May 2013.

For more information, visit http://augustava.com/leadership-greater-augusta/ or call the Chamber at 540/324-1133.