Batesville Chamber of Commerce issued the following announcement on Mar. 30.
The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Batesville program kicked off with a retreat at the newly renovated Spring Mill event center.
The Leadership Batesville program, presented by Citizens Bank, prepares emerging leaders to serve our community. Through shared experiences and frequent interactions, participants engage in a curriculum inspired by IMPACT Independence County—a grassroots community development plan focusing on Economic Prosperity, Educational Excellence, Placemaking, and Healthy Living and Well-Being.
“We are so proud to have Citizens Bank as a very engaged presenting sponsor of Leadership Batesville,” said Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Crystal Johnson. “They share our vision that leadership development is key for the future of Independence County.”
Leadership Batesville graduate and Citizens Bank HR Onboarding Specialist Alicia Williams and City President Jeffery Freiert joined the retreat to discuss the importance of investing in professional development, especially the “fine-tuning of leadership skills.”
“Citizens Bank is more than just a bank,” said Freiert. “We aim to put people first and have a passion for empowering leadership in every community we serve.”
Participants engaged in a strengths assessment and reviewed their results with Shelby Fiegel, Director of the University of Central Arkansas's Center for Community and Economic Development, and Dylan Edgell, the Center's Assistant Director. The group identified their characteristics and leadership styles.
Participants also played "The Futures Game," giving participants a crash course in Community and Economic Development. Participants played through a series of theoretical scenarios affecting the development of human and natural resources. This exercise gave the leaders real-world experience in decision-making practices.
They came to a more holistic understanding of the value of long-term planning and the effects of local, regional, national, and global trends. The group discussed different approaches to community development.
“We are excited to see what this class of difference-makers will do in our community,” concluded Freiert.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Batesville Chamber of Commerce
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