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It's that time of year, again, where I write a column in the hopes of promoting the Leadership Ohio Valley program organized by the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce.
As always, I'm going to be open about the fact that I've been active with the chamber for several years and currently chair the Education Committee under which the Leadership program is put together. I'm also on the chamber's board of directors.
Before any of that, though, I participated in the program myself. At the time, it was called Leadership Weirton, and it provided me with an opportunity to learn more about area area, network with others in our business community, make friends and see ways in which I may be able to be of service to others.
Efforts are under way to organize the 2024-25 class of Leadership Ohio Valley, which will kick off with a series of ice-breaker exercises and a welcome dinner Nov. 7, followed by the SIMSOC activity on Nov. 8.
I won't talk about SIMSOC both because it is something unique to the Leadership Ohio Valley program when compared to other local programs, and because, even though there is a formula of guidance involved, the way the activity plays out each year is different from class to class.
Beyond that, the class is required to plan and take part in a series of monthly sessions focused on the areas of health and human services, government, education, history and culture, and business and economic development.
Past classes have put together a variety of activities for their sessions, participating in mock city council meetings, visiting Charleston during the legislative session, touring area museums, learning CPR, taking part in a cooking class, learning about development efforts in the valley, competing in a scavenger hunt and so much more.
Classes also are required to attend one local government meeting and one local civic group meeting, as well as collaborate to implement a class community project.
The most recent class, for example, opted to hold a clean-up day at Marland Heights Park. Similar efforts have been held at Starvaggi Memorial Park and Cove Commons, with other classes opting to raise money for local military memorials, provide improvements for area youth athletic fields, landscaping at the Panhandle Trail, etc.
We encourage hands-on activities instead of simply sitting in a room and listening to someone. We also encourage classes to not limit themselves geographically. Just because Leadership is offered by the Weirton Chamber doesn't mean activities have to stay in Weirton.
The chamber is inviting anyone who might be interested in the program, or businesses who might have an employee they would like to send through, to contact the office to learn more.
You also can feel free to reach out to me, and I can send you some information and answer questions if you have any.
Leadership Ohio Valley has been offered by the Weirton Chamber since 1993, meaning there are now more than 30 classes of area men and women who have benefited from its offerings.
The focal point of many of the chamber's programs is on the idea of networking, and Leadership is no different. By building our connections with others, we have opportunities for our businesses and ourselves. We meet potential vendors and patrons, and learn about businesses and offerings we otherwise might not have known.
Through Leadership, we also have a chance to learn about things in our communities, and possibly even more about ourselves.
Past participants have grown in ways they couldn't have imagined, many deciding to then step out more into they communities and take on bigger roles within their business or with local organizations.
It truly is worth the commitment, and hopefully we will see some of you decide to take that step in the coming months.
(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)