Chamber has Leadership Kilgore ready to go

Leadership Kilgore organizers have lined up a full slate of activities for local officials and business people, which will be addressed during 10 weeks of programs and classes.

Leadership Kilgore is sponsored by the Kilgore Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with numerous organizations, agencies and governmental offices that facilitate class sessions.

The purpose of Leadership Kilgore is to provide a program which develops leadership skills that enhance a person's ability to become a leader. Its purpose is accomplished in three ways: to identify potential community leaders; to acquaint such leaders with the city's continuing needs and challenges; and to motivate potential leaders to be involved in the activities and events that chart the future of the community.

The program achieves its purpose through a series of seven day-long educational lessons. Included n the curriculum are programs that present an overview of Kilgore's multifaceted community. Program resources come from community leaders and specialists in various fields of study. Sessions combine lectures, dialog and on-site visits to a variety of businesses and governmental institutions.

Mike Coston, chamber president, said the result is a better understanding of how the community functions and the program provides tools to better prepare future leaders for positions in leadership and decision making.

The program starts in November, but the group of six was off to a swift start and a trip to a ropes course last month to prepare them for class challenges.

"The ropes course teaches the participants that they can trust one another," Coston said. "That is an important bonding strategy."

This month the class is slated to learn about education, Kilgore College and Kilgore Independent School District, from Patty Ford, Kilgore College job placement coordinator.

In November the group will learn about business and economy from Amanda Nobles, executive director of Kilgore Economic Development Corporation.

Other classes and sessions include: Local Government with Jeff Howell, Kilgore city man- ager; Arts, Culture and History, with Ronnie Spradlin, Kilgore councilman; Legal System and Public Safety, with Bill Mishkind, KEDC board of directors; Kilgore in the 21st Century, with Roger Nunnally, Patterson Chevrolet of Kilgore general manager.

A Human Resources class is also slated in February and in March the group will attend a state legislative session.

"This a program that the chamber looks forward to every year," Coston said. "A lot can be learned in these classes and group trips."

Participants in this year's Leadership Kilgore Class are B.J. Owen, Kilgore director of special services; Shelly Taylor, with Longview Regional Medical Center; Tammy Ritter, with Bank Texas; Bobby Hale, with East TExas Treatment Center; Theresa Ferguson, with citizens bank; and Barbara Garrett, Kilgore Chamber of Commerce.