NEWBERRY — The Newberry County Chamber of Commerce is beginning a new program designed for the leader who is dedicated to making a difference in Newberry County.

“It is an immersive learning experience that focuses each month on topics including agriculture, arts, communities, economic development, education, government, infrastructure, law enforcement, health and human services, recreation and tourism,” said Michelle Long, executive director of the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce.

“This is an experience-based program and is designed to help participants understand the assets and challenges of the community, elevate their leadership, and further engage in the community,” she added. “Such an intensive examination of these issues gives the candidates the information and confidence to make a positive change in our community.”

Leadership Newberry County will be a nine-month course. Long said to keep the class manageable, she is capping it at 20 participants. The cost is $300 a person, which will help pay for lunch and transportation.

The idea is for the participants to become more engaged with the different county operations.

“What is going to happen is I am going to walk them through (the first class). The class is going to basically build what they are going to do. I have the topics, and the possible people,” Long said.

Each class topic will include different layers. For example, the education class will be a presentation about the Newberry County School District and their operations, as well as Newberry Academy, Piedmont Technical College and Newberry College and how they work together.

In government, they will learn how Newberry County Council operates, as well as the different town councils and how they all fit together. This means that each class day the location, lectures, speakers, panelists, interactive experiences and site visits change.

“Ideally, if you are more knowledgeable you can be more involved, and you are more accountable when you are more involved,” Long said.

Leadership Newberry County is open to anyone, from a new working individual or resident in Newberry who would like to know more about their new home, to a life long resident who would just like to know more.

“It could benefit businesses to know how their county works, how does their government work. This is a networking opportunity as well. You are working with these folks for nine months,” Long said.

Once the class is formed, they will determine when they meet. This way the monthly meetings can be a mutually decided day and time.

Another aspect of Leadership Newberry County will be a project, decided upon by the class. Long said the group will decide what a potential need is in the county, and work to help fill that need. This could be a 5K for a local organization, or helping to get a gazebo installed at a park.

The idea for Leadership Newberry County came from other Chambers around the country. Long said this is a very common program around the nation. In fact, members of the Newberry County business community have taken part in other Leadership programs.

Kimberly Kitchens (Servpro) and Keith Avery (Newberry Electric Cooperative) participated in Leadership Laurens County and Ivette Starkey participated in Lexington’s program.

“It’s important for a community to seek those individuals who are interested in investing their time to learn more about their community. These are the leaders and will be the backbone for the future,” Kitchens said.

The Chamber will host an interest meeting Thursday, Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. at the Chamber. If someone is interested in Leadership Newberry County, but cannot make the meeting they can call the Chamber for more information at (803) 276-4274. The sign up period for the program is Sept. 7-Sept. 21, by calling or stopping by the Chamber.

Long also mentioned that it was thanks to their sponsors that they were able to hold this program in Newberry County.

“Newberry County, CNNGA and Komatsu are sponsors, and we thank them for helping us make this program possible,” Long said.

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By Andrew Wigger

awigger@s24514.p831.sites.pressdns.com

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @ TheNBOnews.