CHARLESTON, W.VA. – Members of the 2009 class of Leadership West Virginia will convene in White Sulphur Springs on October 22-23 for the seventh of eight leadership sessions that are taking place across the state. The 52 members of the class have been provided broad-based education on critical topics and, at the same time, have had opportunities to hone their leadership skills. The topic/theme for this month’s session is Education and The Arts.
During the two-day session, the class members will hear from a variety of speakers, including Jim Justice, Owner of The Greenbrier, and State Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Steven L. Paine. Superintendent Paine will lead the class in a presentation on “GLOBAL 21…Students deserve it - The world demands it.” Other topics to be covered this session include a history lesson about The Greenbrier with historian, Dr. Robert Conti, and a West Virginia history lesson from Mychal Schulz, of Dinsmore & Shohl. Schulz teaches at West Virginia State University and is an alumnus of the LWV class of 2005. The class also will interact with Carli Mareneck, a Performer and Art Instructor, who will broaden the members’ creativity and learning experience through art expression. Another engaging presentation will be a training session on Business Etiquette 101.
On Thursday evening, the Cooper Gallery will host a reception that will be followed by dinner at Carnegie Hall.
During each Leadership West Virginia session there will be a leadership component of the program relating to a particular topic/theme. Karen McNeil-Miller, president of the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, which has conducted grantmaking activity throughout North Carolina, will be speaking to the class on leadership in the changing world. “Karen’s workshop will provide a wide range of perspectives in today’s changing world,” said Pam Farris, Executive Director of Leadership West Virginia.
Finally, the class members will be completing a community volunteer project that they outlined months ago. Their volunteer project will coincide with Domestic Violence Awareness month, which is in October. The class members have lined up to hear a presentation from the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and they also will be lending support to a local domestic violence shelter in Greenbrier County.
Financial support, at the present time, for the Education and The Arts Session is provided by Allman Insurance Services Inc., BB&T, City National Bank, Cooper Gallery, MeadWestvaco, Resort Leadership Centers/Greenbrier Outfitters and The Greenbrier.
Leadership West Virginia is a statewide education and leadership development program affiliated with the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Supported by tuition and private and corporate contributions, the program aims to identify emerging leaders throughout West Virginia and enhance their knowledge of not only the challenges facing the state, but also of the diversity and the unique attributes that the Mountain State possesses. “Leadership West Virginia will continue to grow as the premier leadership program with the commitment and support of the many partners in our communities,” added Farris.
Leadership West Virginia (www.leadershipwv.org) is committed to developing and motivating a cross-section of leaders who will use their talents and abilities to inspire others and to foster a new spirit of energy, enthusiasm and vitality throughout the state. To date, more than 750 individuals have participated and have been graduated as part of the Leadership West Virginia program.
Posted by Matt Livengood on October 27, 2009 at 2:41 pm in the following categories: WVUBI
