Tag Archive for: #leadershipvance

TownTalk: H-V Chamber 2024 Leadership Vance Graduation

Members of the 2024 Leadership Vance class gathered Tuesday night to celebrate their graduation from the program, reminisce a bit about their time together as they learned about their community and pledged to keep Vance County moving in a positive direction.

Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilkerson and Chamber Board Chair Margier White got the ceremony underway following dinner at Kerr Lake Country Club.

Sixteen individuals received their graduation certificates – some have spent their whole lives in Vance County and others have relocated for work or other reasons.

Alicia Campbell is a Vance County native, and she told the group that she had learned a lot about the county she was born in. Campbell said she believes the class members have formed friendships that will last far beyond their time together touring businesses and learning what Vance County has to offer.

Fellow classmate Richard Davis took a moment to recall the extensive schedule the class followed, which included visiting 66 different venues. At those businesses, offices and governmental agencies, Davis noted that 178 took time out of their day to have Leadership Vance visit. “They were excited to speak to us,” he said.

Each Leadership Vance class completes a community service project, and the 2024 class decided to go one better and complete two projects.

Gary Band, editor at The Daily Dispatch, reported that the community garden is installed and will be ready to receive vegetable plants at the appropriate time, which ultimately will be harvested and shared with the men at the new City of Hope men’s shelter.

Laura Pendergrass, with Century 21 Realty, chaired the second project which involved collecting children’s books to be used in two Little Libraries – one at Fox Pond Park and a second at Chestnut Street Park.

Both projects are symbolic of the ongoing commitment by class members, which will help build relationships, strengthen the community and make Vance County the best it can be.

“It’s going to happen,” said Davis. “We just have to wait for it – and keep working.”

Following is the list of 2024 Leadership Vance graduates:

Susan Abbott, individual Chamber member

Gary Band, The Daily Dispatch

Alicia Campbell, Vance County

Richard Davis, A.R. Perry Glass

Susann Elliott, M.R. Williams

David Figueroa, Benchmark Community Bank

Krystal Foxx, Vance-Granville Community College

Xavier Hargrove, Hargrove Appraisals

Kimberly Lewis, Henderson Police Department

Cindy Norwood, City of Henderson

Bobby Orr, Charles Boyd Chevy

Laura Pendergrass, Century 21

Lance Stallings, Vance Charter School

Luke Stark, Wm. L. Stark, CPA

Elizabeth Townsend, Duke Energy

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Donate Children’s Books To Contribute To 2024 Leadership Vance Class Project

The 2024 Leadership Vance class invites the community to pitch in to help make their class project a success by donating children’s books that will be used to stock “Little Library” boxes at Fox Pond Park.

Please donate new or gently used children’s books and drop them off at any of several locations across Henderson, according to information from Tanya Wilson with the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce.

Donation boxes can be found at Fire Station #1 on Dabney Drive, City Hall, 134 Rose Ave. or the Chamber office, 414 S. Garnett St.

The concept of placing small boxes throughout the community and filling them with books that individuals can take free of charge has been around since 2009, and increases access to books and encourages people to take a book to read or place a book for others to enjoy.

Chamber’s Leadership Vance 2024 Forming – Applications Due Feb. 2 By 5 P.M.

The Leadership Vance 2024 application process is open through Friday, Feb. 2 and Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilkerson said participants will get an in-depth look at the county, from its rich history and varied amenities to business and industry growth and much more.

Applications should be received by 5 p.m. on Feb. 2, Wilkerson said.

“Leadership Vance is a proven, structured program, designed to create a corps of informed and dedicated emerging leaders in our community,” Wilkerson said.  Upon graduation, the program participants will be qualified to meet the present and future challenges facing Henderson and Vance County. During the months-long program, participants will get a chance to learn about all aspects of the community in which they live and work.

They also will get to learn about volunteer civic and community opportunities, as well as gain valuable insight to boost their business and career goals.

For more information, contact Wilkerson at 252.438.8414 or via email at sandra@hendersonvance.org.

Community Yard Sale Aug. 5 a Chance to Get and Give

The Abria’s Chase Foundation and the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Vance Class of 2023 are sponsoring a community yard sale this Saturday.

Join in Aug. 5 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at 205 Dabney Drive.

Stephanie Tolbert told WIZS the Leadership Vance Class wanted to help.  “When we visited them, their story really touched us and made an impact on us, and they are trying to take a tragedy that happened within their family and turn it into something positive and impact their community in a positive way and that spoke volumes to us.”

The class is helping give back to an organization formed in 2010 in memory of Abria Jhune Lewis and Joshua Chase Lewis, two children who lost their lives in a fire that occurred on November 9th, 2009.

As founders Ayana and June Lewis have stated on their web page, abriaschasefoundation.org, “Their tragic and senseless deaths was our “call to action.”

The children both died in a fire in their home.

Class member Kenia Gomez-Jimenez explained there are many resources available to the community through the organization and said part of the goal with the yard sale event is to make the community aware.  “Of course we want to gather as many proceeds as we can to further the mission of the Abria’s Chase Foundation, but we also want to educate our community about the resources that they provide … (providing) support to grieving families through a variety of support group meetings that they host, I believe, every week.”

Leadership Vance Class member Kevin Wade described to WIZS in his words how the Lewis family has triumphed.  “When you hear their testimony, you’re left with a numbing feeling as a father (and as a husband.)  I’m just imagining losing two young children the way that they did and you know it just hits you square between the eyes.”

“To see what they’ve done from that from that point and moved forward, all I can think of is from tragedy to triumph,” Wade said.

The trio spoke to WIZS as a part of Thursday’s “The Local Skinny!” program at 11:30 a.m. as a reminder for yard sale lovers, community members and those who want to learn more or to contribute to stop by.

For more information, call 252-430-9913.

If you can’t make it, you can donate anytime online at www.abriaschasefoundation.org.

All proceeds go to help the Abria’s Chase Foundation, whose mission is to prevent fires and educate on fire safety, support grieving families and help rebuild.

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Leadership Vance 2023 Class Forming Now – Apply By Jan. 27

The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for the 2023 Class of Leadership Vance, a program designed to give emerging leaders an in-depth look at the community where they live and work.

Deadline to submit applications is Jan. 27; an orientation and team building activity will kick off this year’s program on Feb. 22, according to information from Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson.

Participants in Leadership Vance will gather for monthly from February through September for educational and information sessions on a variety of topics in the community, from local government and schools to tours of local businesses and industry.

The cost to participate is $500 for Chamber members and $750 for non-Chamber members and includes all meals, transportation and materials.

Contact Wilkerson at sandra@hendersonvance.org or call 252.438.8414 to learn more or to request an application.

(Note: This story was originally broadcast on WIZS Radio and published on WIZS.com on January 5.)

2022 Leadership Vance Class Forming Now – Apply By Jan. 21

The 2022 class of Leadership Vance is forming now. Applications will be taken until Jan. 21.

The program is designed to create a corps of informed and dedicated emerging leaders in the community as it educates and challenges participants to become more involved in their county.

The class is limited to 20 people, and participants will be informed of their selection by Tuesday, Feb. 1, according to information from the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.

Orientation will take place on Feb. 15, 2022. Sessions in March include a business/economic development on Mar. 1 and leading a healthy & caring community on Mar. 15.

A typical program day begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends by 5 p.m. on two Tuesdays each month through July.

In addition to monthly sessions, class members are required to attend several public body sessions and a graduation ceremony. Each session is planned by a steering committee member. The sessions provide participants with a sense of issues relevant to the day’s theme.

Participants are introduced to the key leaders in each environment,  conducted through a series of discussions, lectures, group discussions  and tours. Leadership skills are challenged in a variety of simulation exercises.

Tuition is $500 for Chamber members and $750 for non-Chamber members and includes all training materials, meals, travel, graduation and diploma.

Contact the Chamber office 252.438.8414 to learn more or to request an application.

Leadership Vance Graduates 14 Community Participants

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

Fourteen participants have successfully completed the 2019 Leadership Vance program. Leadership Vance is a Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce program designed to create a group of informed and dedicated leaders who will contribute to the community.

The program is organized into twelve sessions which began February 5 with an orientation breakfast at Perry Library in the Farm Bureau Room and concluded on July 9 with a graduation ceremony and dinner at Hillside Farms in Henderson.

Participants are exposed to various aspects of Henderson and Vance County, specifically in regard to city and county government, health and community resources, economic development, agriculture and natural resources, history, media, criminal justice and law.

The Leadership Vance Graduates for 2019 include (left front): Lemondre’ Watson, Sharita Jones, Jason Varner, McKinley Perkinson, Evelyn Harris, Fantasia Johnson. (Left back): Brian Williams, Lee Andrew Faines, Jr., Elgin Lane, Pam Hester, Norman Dickerson, Jr., Sandra Wilkerson, Chamber Events Director and Andrew (Joel) Beckham. Not pictured: Cathy Renn and Ray Gronberg. (H-V Chamber photo)

Supervisors and guests were in attendance to celebrate the achievements of the graduates.

Jason Varner and Pastor Joel Beckham shared reflections regarding the program on behalf of the class. Varner said, “Henderson and Vance County is a great place to live.” He challenged his classmates to use their leadership experience to make Henderson and Vance County an even better place.

Joel Beckham stated, “I have been inspired.” Beckham encouraged the group to take what they have experienced and make a difference in the community.

McKinley Perkinson shared the class project which was a battery collection for smoke detectors to assist the Fire Department in their Smoke Detector initiative.

Chief Steve Cordell and Captain Lee Edmonds of the Henderson Fire Department were present to receive the donations and shared their gratitude to the group for taking on the initiative. The group collected over 350 9 volt batteries to support the battery replacement program for smoke detectors.

H-V Chamber Logo

Leadership Vance 2018

— courtesy Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce | John Barnes, President ~ 252-438-8414 ~ info@hendersonvance.org ~ Facebook

Applications are available for the upcoming 2018 Leadership Vance Program! Interested professionals who live or work in Vance County are invited to apply. The program will be limited to a maximum of 25 participants who will be selected to represent all backgrounds, occupations and geographic areas of Vance County. The Leadership Vance program is designed to create a group of informed and dedicated leaders who will contribute to the community after graduation. The program informs, challenges and educates the participants on the opportunities and needs of the community and will strengthen their leadership skills while learning about the social, economic, and political dynamics that shape the community. The intensive training and exposure to all aspects of the community will provide participants with the historical background and the skills necessary for volunteer civic and community positions. It will also benefit participants in their business and career goals.

Brochures for the upcoming year will be available in early January with the first session to be held in February. The 10-session program will conclude in June and the cost for participating is $325 for Chamber members and $400 for non-Chamber members. Included in the price are all expenses, meals and materials. Participants are exposed to various aspects of Henderson and Vance County, specifically in regard to city and county government, health and community resources, economic development, agriculture and natural resources, history and media, and criminal justice and law. All potential participants should submit a completed application to the Chamber office no later than Wednesday, January 17, 2018. Notifications will be made by Wednesday, January 31, 2018. For more information, contact Director of Administration
and Events, Melanie Mann at the Chamber at 438-8414 or info@hendersonvance.org.

2017 Leadership Vance program comes to an end

The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce has fifteen graduates from this year’s annual Leadership Vance program.

Leadership Vance is designed to create a group of informed and dedicated leaders who will contribute to the community.  The program is organized into twelve sessions which began on February 7 with an orientation breakfast at Vance-Granville Community College and will conclude on August 3 with a graduation ceremony and dinner at Henderson Country Club.

Participants are exposed to various aspects of Henderson and Vance County, specifically in regard to city and county government, health and community resources, economic development, agriculture and natural resources, history, media, criminal justice and law.

As their community service project, this year’s class assisted with a food giveaway at the Vance County Farmer’s Market on July 13.  The giveaways take place the 2nd Thursday of every other month and are a collaborated effort of Cooperative Extension, St James Missionary Baptist Church, USDA, DSS, Vance County Sheriff’s Department and Henderson Police Department.  The class also helped Rebuilding Hope, Inc. complete a wheelchair ramp project and do some clean-up.

The class will celebrate with a graduation dinner at Henderson Country Club on Thursday, August 3.  Each participant will receive a diploma for completing the five-month course and will view a pictorial presentation of the highlights and memories made during their five months together.

Graduates of this year’s class include: Lisa Bender, Capital Campaign Coordinator-Vance Charter School; Desiree Brooks, Advertising Director-The Daily Dispatch; Norwin Fischer, Systems Operations Manager-Walmart DC 6091; Krystal Harris, Director-Vance County Dept. of Social Services; Sara Lloyd, Director of Customized Training-Vance-Granville Community College; Marty McGraw, Asset Protection Manager-Walmart DC 6091; Sheri Moss, Social Worker II – Work First-Vance County Dept. of Social Services; Jason Spriggs, Water Treatment Operator-Kerr Lake Regional Water System; Paylor Spruill, Assistant to the City Manager-City of Henderson; Joy Suther, Assistant Principal – Dabney Elementary School; Tremanisha Taylor, Youth/Adult Sports Coordinator-Henderson Family YMCA; Ursula Kennedy, Director of Nursing Operations-Maria Parham Health; Tonya Verzaal, QA Area Manager-Walmart DC 6091; Jessica West, Community Services Sergeant-City of Henderson Police Department; Sallie White, Market Leader-BB&T.

Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce looking for Leadership Vance Candidates

Do you have a passion for leadership and a desire to be part of something bigger where you live or work? If so, then Leadership Vance might just be what you’re looking for right now.

“We are currently seeking 15 to 20 individuals for the 2017 class,” said Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce Membership Director & LV Program Director Annette Roberson. “Each class is comprised of individuals who live, work or have an interest in the Henderson/Vance County community.”

This renowned program, created in the 1980’s is a program of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce. The program runs from February to July with ten class sessions plus a Community Services project and Graduation dinner.

It is designed to provide a behind-the-scenes view of the processes, programs, opportunities and challenges that impact the City of Henderson, and Vance County. Leadership Vance gives participants a chance to meet and exchange ideas with each other and with current community leaders.

Program graduates are equipped with the knowledge and the network to assume leadership roles at a local, regional, or state level and beyond. “We’ve had many graduates of this program use what they have learned to pursue leadership roles on city councils,  nonprofits or other business board of directors, in addition to local school boards,” said Roberson.

Program cost is $325 for Chamber members and $400 for non-Chamber members.  The tuition fee includes all course materials, meals, retreat expenses, travel, graduation banquet and diploma.  This year we have available two scholarship spots in the program provided by the LV Class of 2016.  Applications for the two scholarship spots will be looked at and voted on by the LV Class of 2016.

Application is attached.  To nominate an individual or for more information, please contact Annette Roberson at 252.438.8414 or annette@hendersonvance.org. Applications are accepted until the class is full.

*This content was received via email from the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

**WIZS Radio has Leadership Vance Applications available upon request