Leadership class of 2008 ready to serve

The Chamber of Commerce-sponsored 2008 Leadership McMinnville Class has been chosen and held its retreat this weekend at the cabins in Rock Island Park. The 19 members were treated to a series of whirlwind sessions designed to get them ready for the year of classes which will make them familiar with local government, business and industry.

Chamber president Alicea Weddington says the program is one of the most important services the organizations provides to the community.

‘We do this because we think it’s very important to continue to prepare people to become leaders of our community,’ Weddington said. ‘This is our 21st year, our 21st class of Leadership McMinnville, and we like to carry on the tradition of keeping them well informed on how things work around McMinnville and Warren county, and beyond. We want to continue to prepare people to step up and take on positions of authority in the community, to encourage volunteerism, and generally to give them the knowledge they need to make our community a better place to live and work.’

Class members say they are excited to be a part of this program and look forward to the activities planned for the coming year.

McMinnville city planner David Baird says he feels the program will help him learn about the community, which he feels is particularly important in his job.

‘I think Leadership McMinnville is good for individuals whose work can have an effect on the community,’ Baird said. ‘It’s good for me as a city planner to meet with these people, and it’s good for me to understand more about the history of Warren County and McMinnville. Understanding more of the dynamics of the area, learning from everyone in the group, I hope to take that back and use it to make better decisions for the community.’

River Park’s new director of Marketing, Claudia Hall, says she is looking forward to learning more about the community as well.

‘I’m a newcomer to the community,’ Hall said. ‘So I thought this would be a great opportunity to meet some new people. I had been through a similar program in the community I come from. I’ve really learned a lot and I think it’s going to be a great growth opportunity for me. I’m happy to be a part of the community and the Leadership program.’

Tony Powell, of Bridgestone Firestone Warren Plant, another newcomer, says he hopes to become a liaison between Bridgestone Firestone and the community and sees Leadership as a way to do that in a timely manner.

‘I really see this as a great opportunity to get to know the people in the community,’ Powell said. ‘So we can see some of the needs and work together to make those things happen. I’m really excited about it, being new to the community.’

This class will be responsible for organizing the 2008 Autumn Street Fair as its main project, and will graduate in December.