The Chamber of Commerce is launching the Leadership Pampa program in August to help create more leaders. The focus will be on leadership development, but will also include education in networking and connection, influence and advocacy, expanding knowledge and personal growth. The program will run for nine months from September through May. Classes will meet once a month from 8 am to 3 pm. Spots are limited to 25 carefully selected participants from a pool of applications. The deadline for submission is August 11th.
Leadership Pampa is a program that has been discussed for years but had never come together until a committee was formed last year to move forward.
“This is going to be a great program for Pampa people to learn more about their community,” said committee member Laycee Johnson. “Meet new people and develop potential in learning and leadership.”
Johnson attended the Leadership Perryton program and has been serving on their committee for the past three years. Upon learning that the smaller towns surrounding Pampa had leadership programs, Johnson was the one who started making phone calls and really got the ball rolling to start this program in Pampa.
Orientation will be on August 23rd at the Pampa Chamber. The program will have learning sessions in a classroom setting one Wednesday per month. The morning class will feature a speaker on leadership topics such as goal setting, conflict management, dealing with stress, communication, customer service and more, followed by a break for lunch. The afternoon will include a tour of major economic areas in Pampa such as oil and gas industries, education facilities, utility providers, and city/county government offices. This is beneficial for people to see firsthand “behind the scenes” how Pampa businesses operate.
According to Johnson, this will have many positive impacts on each participant, even if they were born and raised in Pampa - they will all learn something new or meet new people that they will be able to network with.
“I think, ideally, Leadership Pampa is the way that we will create the next generation of chamber and school board members, city and county commissioners, even small business owners,” said Cortnie Patterson, President of the Pampa Chamber of Commerce. “Several of the people we’ve talked to that have attended the other programs became small business owners, when that wasn’t necessarily their plan.”
Similarly, former rosters of Leadership Lubbock programs of the past nearly 100 years, show names in a whos who of people that have gone on to become big in Lubbocks community as business owners or in government offices.
Patterson sayd they also plan to include a poverty simulation and an acts of service day to show the people not only about working in the community but how to be able to give back to the community.
More positive takes from the program will be gaining self-confidence, public speaking, and a desire to be a part of this great community. As well as communicating better, whether it is relationships at work or with family. Employers will gain a motivated employee with increased confidence, better customer service skills and new tools for leadership. Classes will conclude with a graduation ceremony and Continuing Education credits from Clarendon College.
The cost for the class is $600 per individual and the Chamber is currently seeking sponsors for the program at different levels; $1250.00 which would also include one participant, or $2500.00 which would include two. Visit leadershippampa.com, PampaChamber.com, or call the Chamber at 806-669-3241 for more information about Leadership Pampa and how to apply.
