Leadership Stanly & Your Chamber
Stanly County Chamber of Commerce (SCCoC)
recently graduated our 30
th
Class of
Leadership Stanly (LS)
. As a LS Alumnus of almost 20 years, I can say how important this program has been to our
Stanly County Community
. I can also say how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to participate in LS and how honored I am to now serve the Chamber as its President.
What is Leadership Stanly (LS)?
It is a comprehensive program designed to locate, cultivate, & motivate a core of informed, committed, & qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds to take an active role in community affairs. With some 600 LS Alumni having completed the program, I can attest that the SCCoC Leadership Stanly Program is actively at work in our local community and region. Although some LS grads have gone on to other areas, there is a tremendous number of LS grads right here in Stanly County who work diligently for the good of our community.
Leadership Stanly
remains a flagship program of SCCoC through its Steering Committee, their leadership, and their dedication to continuous improvement for each of the nine (9) monthly sessions. Led by
Shawn Oke, EFO, Fire Chief, City of Albemarle
, the LS Steering Members are graduates of the program who wish to share with others those leadership traits and skills they experienced. This team provides guidance and direction for monthly sessions; recommends changes based on feedback; reviews program applications to select LS class representatives; and schedules the facilitation and logistics for each monthly LS program session.
Shawn and his team take it upon themselves to offer the greatest learning experiences possible. They carefully and thoughtfully plan the LS year as an opportunity for growth in personal and professional leadership. Every detail is well executed, and these LS Steering members dedicate their personal and professional time and talents to create a legacy of leadership through the SCCoC LS Program. I wish to personally extend my gratitude to Shawn Oke for his leadership and guidance in addition to his dedication for our Chamber LS Program.
As we celebrate
30 Years of SCCoC Leadership Stanly
I want to thank not only the participants but also their employers. These employers and/or business owners identify the strengths in those who excel as leaders. SCCoC appreciates these employers who willingly allow the opportunity for their staff to be a part of something which not only brings leadership to their organization, but also strengthens the individual’s personal growth.
According to
ACCE’s Horizon Initiative: Chambers 2025
,
one of eight (8) influences shaping the future for Chambers of Commerce is that of
“Catalytic Leadership.”
ACCE (Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives –
acce.org
) was established in 1914, serves more than 7,500 chamber of commerce professionals and is a trusted resource of industry information, professional development opportunities, connectivity, and best practice sharing.
Catalytic Leadership
is more important today than ever before; it is critical in today’s diverse and distracted world. Leaders must think strategically and get comfortable with change. Because it is this change that constantly shifts our tide in an evolving global world. Our leaders will need to be responsive to such change quickly to remain influential and relevant. SCCoC Leadership Stanly will strive to continue its relevance as it has these past 30 years. I look forward to the catalytic leadership for common good and prosperity that will be shared from these alumni of
Leadership Stanly.
Best regards,
Kathy L. Almond
President & CEO
