This issue sponsored by:
FOURTH QUARTER 2006
THANKS to Our Recent Sponsors
20th Year Sponsor
20th Class Retreat September 17-19 at Westfield Inn & Conference Center
INTERNATIONAL Enterprises 20th Class Stark County Day
The Encounter Bus Tour
20th Class Sponsor
First Spotlight Sta rk County Class Complete d The thirty members of the first class of the Spotlight Stark County program for young professionals have already begun to benefit by exposure to key issues, leaders and places shaping the community. The program was kicked off in October with an interactive presentation on “Building Your Personal Resource Bank Account Through Networking” by Sandra L. Hodge, a professional trainer and facilitator provided by Kent State University Stark’s Office of Corporate and Community Services. Leadership Stark County is collaborating with the KSU Stark Office of Corporate and Community Services to present the Spotlight Stark County program. The participants got to try out their networking skills immediately at an after-hours hosted by John Gasser and Son Jewelers that evening in the luxurious parlor above the store. A day spent traversing the county with the Encounter Bus Tour allowed participants to connect with local business leaders, discuss key issues with non-profit leaders, and experience the range and diversity of Stark County. “As a transplant to Canton, I learned more in one day about Stark County than I have in my four years here,” was a typical response. Other sessions
covered “Finding your Strengths,” facilitated by Holly Bognar, PhD., Kent State University, Stark Campus Office of Corporate and Community Services, “Stark County’s Political Pulse,” and an economic development session featuring young CEO’s and an economic development simulation game. The program concluded at the Cultural Center and Canton Museum of Art. Also included in the course were presentations by some local non-profit directors, aimed at familiarizing and involving the class members. Class members all participated in some form of community services project, such as intake screening for Community Christmas or assisting Leadership Stark County alumni with the Annual Breakfast with Santa for downtown Canton YWCA pre-school and homeless shelter residents, prompting one person to comment, “I knew there were needs but didn’t know where to start to get involved; this session gave me specific organizations that I can contact.” Leadership Stark County plans to offer this program again in 2007, so please forward to LSC names of younger professionals in your organization who would be interested. (continued on page 3)