Leadership Coles County 2009

Developing Leaders - Transforming Communities

Spring 2009
February - April 2009

Education Center
Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center
Mattoon, Illinois

Program developed and implemented by:

Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce
Mattoon Chamber of Commerce
EIU Business Solutions Center
In cooperation with Coles Connected

Purpose

Leadership Coles County, a successful leadership development course sponsored by the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mattoon Chamber or Commerce since 2000 is now partnering with EIU’s Business Solutions Center and Coles Connected to bring an even more dynamic and life changing experience to community leaders. The purpose of Leadership Coles County is to develop citizens’ leadership and collaboration skills to strengthen and transform our communities.

The goals of the program are to:

Expand the leadership potential of participants through highly participatory and experiential learning modules • Develop individual leadership, communication, problem solving and team building skills
Provide networking opportunities for individuals of diverse backgrounds and experiences
Create an atmosphere for building collegial relationships
Instill a sense of community to motivate participants to be change agents • Foster a commitment to a life of community service

Selection

Each class is intended to be a diverse group of 25 men and women, representing different professions, cultures, interests, and talents.

Participants will be selected by an anonymous selection committee. To achieve a representative crosssection of the community, individuals will be chosen from the 7 Community Pillars: Business, Clergy, Education, Government, Health Care, Media and Social Services.

Area businesses, public and private agencies, civic, university, nonprofits and other organizationsareencouragedtoidentify and support candidates with leadership potential for this program.

Dates

Leadership Coles County 2009 consists of 5 all day sessions from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm held at the Education Center of Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center on the following Wednesdays:

Spring – February 18, March 4, March 18, April 8, April 29.

Topics

Each class will build upon the knowledge learned by the previous class and include the following topics: understanding and discovering the impact of thinking styles, systematic approaches to problem solving, collaborative problem solving, transformational leadership, action steps to transform communities, championing change, developing a Professional Growth Plan, and presenting action learning projects.

A complete program outline is available on the websites listed in this brochure.

Investment

Tuition for each participant is $525, payable before the first session and nonrefundable and nontransferable once the program begins.

Traditionally, tuition is paid by the participant’s employer or sponsoring organization. A limited number of partial tuition scholarships are available for applicants in need of financial assistance. Scholarship application forms are available from either Chamber office.

Selected participants in Leadership Coles County are expected to commit the necessary time needed to fully participate in the program. Attendance at all 5 sessions is expected and participation on a team project is required.

Benefits

Individual: Enhanced skills in leadership and communication. Greater knowledge of the region. An informed network of diverse colleagues for individual, business and community problem solving.

Employer: Increased leadership skills that can be used for greater organizational effectiveness. Networking connections that can assist with businesssolutions.

An opportunity to be identified as a business or organization that is committed to community quality of life issues and to position your decision makers as committed community leaders.

Greater understanding of team building that can be applied at the place of employment.

Community: A pool of committed leaders to serve as board members and volunteers. A talented group of leaders who can be called upon for solutions to community issues. Leadership that can be tapped for governmental task forces and commissions.

For More Information

Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce (217)345-7041

Mattoon Chamber of Commerce (217) 235-5661

Eastern Illinois University Business Solutions Center (217) 581-2913

Coles Connected Committee Ann Bacon, Gary Barnett, Angela Griffin, John Inyart, Larry Lilly, Jim Littleford, Dick Lumpkin, Bill Rowland, Scott Lensink Carl Walworth and David Cline