SHENANGO VALLEY Program seeks to connect future leaders, community

The next Leadership Shenango will look at community issues and how to resolve them.
SHARON, Pa. -- The Shenango Valley Camber of Commerce is looking for young business professionals interested in continuing business's role in community leadership.
The chamber will conduct its eighth annual Leadership Shenango program designed to familiarize that target group with the community and local organizations.
The goal is to perpetuate leadership by using the experience and knowledge of current leaders to educate future leaders. The theme for 2002 will be "Preparing for Tomorrow ... Today."
The program begins Feb. 13 and has one full-day and six half-day sessions. The sessions will be every other week in the Founders Board Room of the chamber office at 41 Chestnut Ave.
Participants get to meet community leaders and others who may just be getting started in business, allowing them to set up a network for future involvement.
In addition to the regular educational emphasis, the 2002 program will take a hard look at issues facing the community and recommendations for resolving them.
Volunteerism is an important focus of the program, which also will cover team building, strategic planning, workforce development, government, quality of life and economic development.
It will conclude with a tour of businesses to demonstrate the issues covered at each session.
The program will be augmented by the formation of a Leadership Shenango Alumni Association in early 2002, and one of its focuses will be to get Leadership Shenango graduates appointed to various chamber committees to foster community involvement.
Program tuition is $250 and includes all materials and lunch. Scholarships are available.
Class size is limited to 25 people, and applications, available at the chamber office, must be filed by Jan. 10.
Nearly 180 people have completed the program, and the chamber estimates that about 25 percent have remained active in the community.