Pictured L-R Jade Barber & Joelle Washer
Katie Young, Executive Director of the Chautauqua Leadership Network introduced Jade Boice Barber, CLN Board Member who was our presenter. Jade is in charge of the JCC College Connection, a member of the Riverfront Management Commission and former news anchor for Time Warner News.
In 1992, the Northern Chautauqua County Chamber, the Jamestown Chamber, SUNY Fredonia, JCC, Chautauqua Institution, BOCES and Cornell Cooperative Extension recognized the growing need for community leaders in our County for boards, organizations, businesses and government.
Next a strategic planning session was conducted with over 60 participants to develop the following mission: to identify and nurture regional leaders, provide a framework for an emerging network of skilled civic trustees, and help our communities to meet the challenges of today and the opportunities of tomorrow. CLN is a non-profit, regional, leadership training organization building a network of skilled leaders to strengthen our county and communities. CLN is NOT a service organization, a political machine, or a project-oriented group.
The participants complete competencies in: Self-awareness, team building, creativity, communication, asset discovery, organization skills, developing others, ethics & integrity, leading change, social intelligence and networking and building partnerships.
The year-long program begins with a two day retreat in February and ends with an induction ceremony in December. Ideal candidates live/work in our county, are interested in building a better community, actively seek out opportunities for self-improvement, are willing and able to participate and devote time and have support from their employer.
The participants gain: understanding of selected leadership competencies; better insight into own self and personal leadership style; new set of skilled peers and networking sources; and knowledge o the county’s communities along with their assets and challenges.
Employers gain: an employee with knowledge in identified leadership competency areas; an employee with a better understanding of the community and surrounding environment; higher visibility through increased involvement in community affairs and great access to other community leaders and resources.
More than 600 members have completed the course since 1993 and they hope to increase annual class size from 28 in 2017 to 36 in 2021. Tuition is $1400.
On July 31, CLN will celebrate the student leader group of the year, the volunteer leader award, the community development award and the CLN Leader of the Year – our own Andy Goodell.