Leadership Sheridan County provides opportunities for leaders to learn about themselves, their community
Next month marks the end of another cycle of the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Sheridan County program – a program that has helped over 700 local leaders learn more about themselves and their Sheridan County community. It also marks the opening of the application period for next year’s program, providing the perfect opportunity for up-and-coming community leaders to get involved.
Leadership Sheridan County is a unique educational program designed to broaden the base of quality local leadership by inspiring citizens to assume leadership roles, extending awareness of community resources and strengthening individual leadership skills. The program started in 1993 and is currently wrapping up its 32nd year.
From January through October, 22 Leadership Sheridan County participants meet on the third Thursday of each month for a full day. Each session includes two hours of leadership training from Peak Consulting’s Stacia Skretteberg, focusing on such topics as crucial conservations, employee engagement, time management, intuition, coaching, connection and the circle of influence, among other subjects.
The remainder of the day, the group tours various Sheridan County locations and hears from local presenters. By the end of the 10 months, attendees emerge with a deeper knowledge of state, city and county government; health and human services; economic development; community history and arts; natural resources; and education and youth services.
Kim Jacobson, Leadership Sheridan County program liaison and a 2022 graduate of the program, said the community education it provides is invaluable.
“It’s a chance to learn things about our community that you maybe never knew before,” Jacobson said. “It really opens your eyes to everything Sheridan has to offer and helps you make connections to people and services across the community.”
October marks two key milestones for Leadership Seridan County each year. First, this year’s class will graduate during the Oct. 14 Chamber Lunch at the Historic Sheridan Inn, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Community members are encouraged to come out and cheer on this year’s graduates as they accept their certificates. You can register online for the lunch at https://sheridanwyomingchamber.chambermaster.com/events/details/chamber-lunch-10-14-26-1434.
Secondly, applications for next year’s class are being accepted from Oct. 1-31. Apply online at https://sheridanwyomingchamber.org/programs-events/leadership-sheridan-county/ or pick up a paper copy at the Chamber Office, 54 S. Main St.
In November, the Leadership Sheridan County steering committee will review applications and make selections for next year’s class. The steering committee comprises Leadership Sheridan County alumni and helps with various aspects of program coordination, including setting the monthly program agendas. The committee is currently being led by Chair Allison Meacham, Vice-Chair Amber Shirley and Secretary Heather Doke.
To learn more about Leadership Sheridan County and how to get involved, reach out to Jacobson at 307-672-2485 or kjacobson@sheridanwyomingchamber.org.
