| 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.
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.
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.
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.
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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