COLUMBIANA Class observes commissioners

COLUMBIANA -- It was standing room only in the Columbiana County commissioners meeting room.
Wednesday was County Government Day for the Leadership Columbiana County class. The class observed the proceedings of the commissioners meeting, then heard an overview of county operations from the commissioners.
Liz Prodonovich, director, gave each commissioner a copy of Steven Covey's "7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders."
She said the purpose of Leadership Columbiana County is to help people who are already leaders in their workplace, schools or churches hone their leadership skills, then become community leaders.
She said class members can be nominate themselves or be nominated by their employers. The group tours government offices, school and other sites to see leadership at work in a variety of settings.
Class members are divided into groups to work on a community project such as planning a recreation center or a community reading mentor program.
They also hear from a variety of leaders on topics such as law, public speaking, psychology and conflict management.
Prodonovich said the program strives to coax leaders out of their comfort zone and show them they can use their leadership to make a difference in other areas of their communities.