TCDC Community Leadership Program
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Community Leadership Program Sessions Overview
The Leadership Tioga County Community Leadership Program began in the fall of 2002. The Program aims to supply Tioga County with a core group of positive, productive and contributing individuals. The participants selected are employees from various businesses and nonprofit organizations throughout Tioga County. The Community Leadership Program strives to train our adult population to take on new leadership responsibilities, giving them the tools and motivation to fill voids and relieve those ready to step aside in our County, municipality, civic and school organizations. These competent leaders will benefit Tioga County’s employers, organizations and communities. The Program takes place over a nine month period, with one session occurring per month.
The Opening Retreat
During the Opening Retreat of the Community Leadership Program, participants are introduced to each other and organized into teams. This Session is an overnight experience intended to create strong bonds between the group members, while explaining the Community Leadership Program and setting expectations for the program, the coordinators and the participants. Participants write a personal mission statement and explore teamwork dynamics, concepts, and principles while taking part in various activities and discussions. They explore the primary and secondary dimensions of diversity in our county and examine its impact on their lives. Each participant also gives a presentation about a leadership book read prior to the Retreat.
Organizing for Action
The purpose of Organizing for Action is to gain a basic understanding of the following skills: strategic planning as a means of focusing effort, organizing projects and ensuring follow-through, and determining the roles of governing and advisory boards. The participants learn about the importance of teamwork and consensus building as a means to advance organizational effectiveness. They also receive an opportunity to begin working on their team projects and personal portfolios.
Technology, Information Literacy & Communications
Through a class assignment, the participants are provided with an opportunity to discover if or how technology is utilized at their workplaces. They also learn about recent developments in technology, along with how to research and develop an organizational plan. Panel and roundtable discussions are used to assist in the learning process. All information gathered during this Session is also applied to the ongoing Team projects.
Business & Economics
Business & Economics is intended to broaden the participants’ awareness of Tioga County’s economy. This is accomplished though the conduction of personal interviews and tours of local companies and businesses. Participants interview representatives from companies unrelated to their place of employment. Those who work in the private sector must visit the public sector and vice versa. Panelists are invited to the Session to discuss their company’s role in sales/marketing, the recruitment local vs. non-local employees and the roles of educational institution and workforce. The participants also receive tours of local companies. This Session aims to motivate participants to take individual action and initiate change within their own organizations.
Continuous Learning & Workforce Development
Continuous Learning & Workforce Development exposes the participants to the necessity of leadership in their community. Speakers are invited to talk about their experiences with various community organizations and to encourage the participants to become more involved with their community groups. The participants gain a better understanding of workforce development and how to become involved. This Session features 5 minute individual presentations by the participants. The speeches pertain to leadership and its relationship to the adults in either their current or prior positions. The coordinators instill a better understanding of leadership needs within all aspects of communities: businesses, service organizations and volunteer organizations. The participants leave the Session with a greater understanding of both the need for workforce development and how to become involved with the workforce within their own organizations.
The Political Process
The Political Process is highlighted with a trip to the State Capitol in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Participants receive a tour of the Capitol Building and are given the opportunity to speak with our State Senator Joseph B. Scarnati, III and State Representative Matthew E. Baker. They witness state government in action and discover the role it plays in relation to local, county and federal governments.
Healthy Communities
This Session focuses on providing participants with knowledge about the Health and Social Services available in Tioga County. Participants are exposed to a variety of available services through a lecture, on-site visitation and interactive, small group activities. The Laurel Health System, Tioga County Department of Human Services and Tioga County Partnership for Community Health assist in this Session through presentations which highlight the programs and efforts aiming at “Healthy Communities” available in the Tioga County.
Quality of Life
Quality of Life is an important concept which involves listening with respect, prioritizing goals, understanding what is important in one’s life, appreciating our local natural beauty, becoming familiar with local conservation efforts and understanding one’s responsibility in maintaining the quality of life in Tioga County. The lessons are taught through touring a Watershed, partaking in Field Stations along Straight Run and participating in multiple Consensus Circles. The Session closes with a Native American Greeting Circle.
Closing Retreat, Team Presentations & Graduation
The Program concludes with the Closing Retreat, at which each Team presents its final Community Project. The participants review and discuss their Personal Mission Statements, which were composed during the Opening Retreat. They bring the Community Leadership Program to a close and develop an action plan to use their new skills in the workplace and the community. A Graduation Ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Leadership Tioga County Community Leadership Program.
