The Habersham Chamber recently announced the expansion of the Leadership Habersham program to include youth members.
President Mary Beth Horton said the Chamber Board of Directors and education officials are seeking opportunities to enhance what was formerly the Junior Chamber Board.
“The Chamber already hosts a dynamic leadership program for area professionals seeking to learn more about the community and to network with other members,” Horton said. “It makes sense to blend the groups to create one program for the county.”
Horton said youth leadership programs are common across Georgia.
“The aim of the program is to encourage and equip the younger generation for leadership roles in the future,” Horton said. “Youth Leadership Habersham is a way to introduce students to various aspects of the county through leadership training, touring businesses and meeting with community and state leaders.”
The new program will offer select high school juniors and seniors in Habersham County an opportunity to serve as a member of Youth Leadership Habersham (formerly the Junior Chamber Board of Directors) for the upcoming academic year.
Youth Leadership Habersham members will participate in an opening session on leadership skills from the University of Georgia’s J. W. Fanning Institute of Leadership Development, travel to meet local entrepreneurs and business professionals for tours of various community businesses throughout the year, learn more about Chamber functions and the history of Habersham County, and meet with the Chamber’s adult Leadership Habersham program members for mentoring.
“Our hope is once youth are introduced to these opportunities, they might consider staying in or returning to the county after graduation,” Horton said. “Our young people have lots to offer and the county has lots to gain from investing in the professional development of our students.”
Youth Leadership Habersham members will also be eligible to apply for a Chamber scholarship at the end of the academic year and seniors will receive an honor cord for attending all the sessions.
Amy Hulsey, Chair of the Chamber Board said with Leadership Habersham celebrating its 30th year, the Chamber was excited to expand the program to include youth members.
“By including students from all areas of the county, it creates opportunity for them to meet more people to add to their network and hopefully develop future community leaders,” Hulsey said.
“We launched the adult version of Leadership Habersham in 2000; adding the youth component greatly appealed to us,” Hulsey said. “It will help our youth better understand the significant career options right here at home and for this reason I am excited about the expansion of this program.”
Applications are now being accepted for participants. Visit habershamchamber.com or call 706.778.4654 for information.
