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What
is Leadership Columbia?
Sponsored
by the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, the Leadership
Columbia (LC) program began in order to provide existing and
emerging leaders with opportunities to enhance their civic
knowledge and civic network. For over 30 years, this program has
helped participants better understand how our community works,
build relationships with the region’s current and future leaders
and become inspired to focus talents in a way that will best serve
the community. Leadership Columbia participants develop the
leadership skills necessary to assume leadership roles and also
become exposed to the involvement opportunities in the community.
Program
Overview
Whether
you have lived in Columbia for a short time or all of your life,
Leadership Columbia will help you discover what is happening in
the community and how you can get involved.
Monthly
Learning Sessions
The
ten, one-day sessions are held Tuesdays from August to May from
8:30 am-5 pm. At each session, state and local business and
community leaders will share their knowledge through lively
discussions and activities that highlight real situations, needs
and opportunities within the midlands. The
2004-05 Class Days are:
| August
17 |
Orientation |
| September
16 - 17 |
Retreat |
| October
12 |
Arts
& Culture |
| November
9 |
Leadership |
| December
7 |
Crime,
Victims & Justice |
| January
11 |
Health
& Human Services |
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February
8 |
Education |
| March
8 |
Economic
Development |
| April
12 |
Political
Systems |
| May
10 & 17 |
Environmental
& Wrap Up |
| June
7 |
Graduation |
| *
Subject to Change |
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Leadership
Columbia also offers first-hand experience through tours of
facilities such as Fort Jackson, the SC Correctional Facility,
homeless shelters, schools and many other Columbia businesses and
entities.
Retreat
Leadership
Columbia is built on strong fundamental leadership principles. At
the two-day class retreat
held in September at Camp Gravatt in Aiken, SC attendees will
participate in a number of networking and team-building activities
designed to demonstrate the dynamics of effective leadership. The
retreat allows class members to push themselves and provides the
skills and confidence necessary to lead. Team-building activities,
including high and low rope courses, will expand on important
themes such as communication, trust, consensus-building and
empowerment.
Class
Project
The
class project is integral part of the Leadership Columbia
experience. Participants work with fellow classmates to implement
a project benefiting the Midlands area. The Leadership Columbia
process provides participants with the guidance and tools to turn
concepts into workable projects and solutions. The project process
culminates the Leadership Columbia experience, utilizing ideas
generated during class sessions into a community enhancing
project.
Enrichment
Activities
One
of the primary goals of leadership Columbia is to encourage
individual involvement in leadership roles within the community.
Throughout that program, participants get a birds-eye view of the
issues facing the community. Enrichment opportunities are made
available to class participants to further enhance their community
knowledge. Such activities include ride-alongs with various law
enforcement agencies, opportunities to engage in community service
or exposure to some of the many cultural offerings in the region.
Leadership Columbia encourages participants to learn by doing so
that they may apply their talents by becoming a part of
professional associations, civic clubs, public boards, and
commissions.
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