Leadership Florence program seeks students

By Candace Jarrett
Morning News Reporter
Published: July 19, 2008

The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Florence program is ready to make another class of community trailblazers.

Program director Gerry Madison said Leadership Florence is a comprehensive nine-month program designed to identify, cultivate and motivate new leadership for the greater Florence area.

“It’s worthwhile, especially for people not from (Florence) because the participants get an inside look at Florence and the inner working of the Pee Dee,” she said. “I’ve been in charge of it for 10 years.

Each year it grows and it’s a great way for the participants to network with each other and other industries.”

Participants are expected to increase their knowledge of the area and enhance their involvement in community activities while further developing their leadership skills.

“If the people graduate and come out more knowledgeable about the community, they are successful,” Madison said. “If they are able to get into the community and if they get a better understanding of how they and their company can help the community, they’ve done better than good.”

The program dates back to the 1970s. Madison said she can see people in the community — entrepreneurs and those who work for large industries — taking an interest in it.

The Young Professionals of Florence, a social networking organization, began from people who moved to Florence from other areas looking for a way to get involved with the community. This is its second year sponsoring a student in the Leadership Florence program.

“The chamber puts together a list of names of people they feel qualify for our scholarship,” Ed Love, chairman of the YPF board, said. “We help in selecting the person we want to give the scholarship to and it doesn’t necessarily have to be an active member of YPF, although that’s a factor that is considered.”

YPF has a membership database of about 500 people and Love said the scholarship will be annual.

Someone else in the community can nominate candidates for the program, or people may apply directly to the chamber. A selection committee reviews applications and a personal interview might be required to determine class eligibility.

The course begins with a weekend retreat in Myrtle Beach and goes through media training, education and social issues on the quality of life in Florence. The course also discusses economic development, business and industry in the area, along with government and law, before the candidates graduate.

The tuition is $1,200 and is due before Aug. 15.

Madison said the chamber is accepting applications until the class fills. For more details, call Madison at (843) 665-0515.