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The most recent class of Leadership Ohio Valley has completed its program, and now the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce is looking for individuals interested in taking their own journey on the path of leadership.
Every event and program organized by the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce has at its core an element of networking for our area professionals, and Leadership is no different. There is an opportunity within to get to know the men and women who are part of our local business communities, assisting in the development of connections which could aid in your own career.
More than that, though, it provides a chance to learn more about your community, and how you might be able to get more involved, if you would so choose, while building friendships, and, perhaps, even learning more about yourself.
As a matter of transparency, (as done every time I write a column about this program) I currently serve as chair of the Education Committee, under which the program is organized. I also happen to be a graduate of the program, which, at the time, was known as Leadership Weirton.
As a local journalist, you may think I know everything about our area, and everyone I would need to know, but that's never the case. There's always something new to learn, something new to see, and someone new to meet.
Through Leadership Ohio Valley, each class is exposed to elements of our area's educational systems, healthcare offerings, governmental operations, as well as efforts to build our economy, and aspects of our area's history and culture.
They also learn about ways they can give back to their community.
This year's class included people who work in transportation, social services, banking, local government, real estate, the trades, manufacturing, healthcare, economic development, business consulting, and more.
The next class will begin in early November, with sessions held just about every month through May, and then a graduation luncheon in June.
There have been several leadership programs offered in our area and beyond over the years. The Weirton Chamber's program has set itself apart in many ways in the way it emphasizes the importance of teamwork.
Programs aren't set up by the host organization, with participants sitting in a room listening to someone. The idea behind Leadership Ohio Valley is that those in the class actually organize each session. They work together to reach out to potential host sites, plan the itinerary, and address any activities which might relate to each month's theme.
Some groups have received a cooking class at the John D. Rockefeller IV Career Center, for example, while others have gone through tours at Fiesta. There have been CPR lessons, tours of the West Virginia Capitol, participation in mock city council meetings, tours of a local brownfield site, a demonstration of nursing classes at West Virginia Northern Community College, and more.
When I went through - many years ago - our history program involved a scavenger hunt of local historical sites.
Participants must attend one meeting of a civic organization and one meeting of a governmental body. This gives them an opportunity to see for themselves the function - or dysfunction in some cases - of those making decisions for our communities.
They also must organize a group project in service to the community. The 2024-25 class offered their services to perform some landscaping work to the House of Hope in downtown Weirton. Others have performed cleanup tasks for local parks, raised funds to enhance veterans memorials, assisted youth sports groups, and constructed blessing boxes for local organizations.
I encourage our local business owners to consider who might be a good ambassador for your operation, and reach out to the Weirton Chamber to learn more about the program.
(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter/X @ChowellWDT)