TOP PHOTO: Zach Sheets spoke about the benefits of Leadership Campbell County during Tuesday’s South Campbell County Rotary Club luncheon.

By Charlotte Underwood

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Leadership Campbell County was the topic of discussion at Tuesday’s South Campbell County Rotary Club luncheon.

Rotary club member and Leadership Campbell County graduate and committee member Zach Sheets spoke about the opportunities provided by the nine-month program. He has been part of the program for eight years now. 

According to Sheets, it’s a great way to learn more about the community, while also improving leadership skills and developing important networking channels.

The Leadership Program, sponsored by the Campbell County Chamber of Commerce, was started by a group of community leaders in 1998. More than 227 people have completed the course to date.

According to organizers, Leadership Campbell County brings together a selected group of people that possess a broad variety of leadership abilities, career accomplishments, and volunteer activities to gain insight into complex issues facing the region.  

Classes meet one day a month and take a road trip to various businesses, tourist destinations, industrial areas and more to learn about the county. 

“Even if you’ve lived here your whole life, you will experience something you didn’t know existed,” Sheets said. The Leadership C.C. Committee has designed a course curriculum to develop emerging leaders, while simultaneously promoting the importance and strengths of the community. 

“It truly provides opportunities to develop great relationships with those in your class and leaders in your community. The networking side of it is fantastic and it can also really help your business or employer,” Sheets said. 

The goal of the program, according to the Leadership Committee, is to provide participants with the opportunity to build relationships, serve the community, and engage with political, civic, and business leaders.

LaFollette Utility Board General Manager Kenny Baird said he participated in the program in 1999 and it was an “informative experience.”

“We visited River Bend and also went down about a mile deep into a coal mine,” Baird said. 

Local business leaders, public officials, and individuals in the Campbell County community are all invited to apply to the program.

The course opens with a one day orientation on June 24, and then meets one day a month through the conclusion of the program in March with an overnight trip to visit the capital. The tuition of $750 assists with the cost of each program day and the overnight trip to Nashville. Participants must be available one day per month during business hours for the nine-month program. Tuition may be paid by individuals or corporate sponsors. Tuition is nonrefundable and nontransferable.

“For all you get to do and experience and take out of it, it’s a great deal,” Sheets said.

Businesses, organizations or individuals may nominate and sponsor candidates for the program. Ten to 20 participants are selected based on the following criteria: Demonstrated commitment to serve the Campbell County community, current or potential leadership role within their organization or business, interest in pursuing a community leadership role, and commitment to attend the scheduled sessions. 

Applications are available online or at the Campbell County Chamber of Commerce. All applications for LCC Class are due to the Campbell County Chamber of Commerce by March 31. 

Leadership Campbell County alumni are available to answer questions about the program. For more information, please call the Chamber office at 423-566-0329 or email to info@campbellcountychamber.org (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 01/12/2022-6AM)