BY LORI FULTON

LEADERSHIP WASHINGTON COUNTY

According to Webster's definition, to lead means "to guide on a way, especially by going in advance"; and no single phrase is more appropriate in summarizing the capabilities of the graduates of Leadership Washington County. Graduates from the program may be found actively participating with many non-profit and social service agencies and organizations in Washington County.

If you are a business person who lives or works in Washington County and you would like to become involved in creating a better community, Leadership Washington County wants you for their next class. Applications are currently being accepted for the next class which begins in August, 2006.

The LWC program encompasses many aspects of the countywide community that enable the community to function in a sustainable, successful and orderly manner. Participants of the program are exposed to a wide range of local experts who dispense the most current information in their areas of expertise. In addition, each session addresses a specific skill or skill set that equips participants with methods of successfully functioning in their careers, community involvement, and home lives.

This past class year has been comprised of many highlights including a Justice Day sponsored by the Washington County Bar Association that included a visit to motion's court, a tour of the Washington County Correctional Facility and an informal lunch-time visit with President Judge Debbie O'Dell Seneca. During the Business and Economic Development Session, Washington County Chamber of Commerce's Executive Director Jeff Kotula called on the services of Ron Maloney of the Allegheny Partnership, and Dr. Jerry Paytas of Carnegie Mellon University. For the Educational System session, California University of Pennsylvania orchestrated several roundtable discussions that demonstrated the directions in which education is headed in the emergence of technology. Monongahela Valley Hospital sponsored the Health and Human Services in March that featured Rich Boland and Rob Fonte of Western Psychiatric Institute and First Responders Network who stressed the importance of preparedness for leaders during emergencies. Many of these same individuals and organizations have generously agreed to educate future classes on a continuing basis. LWC is grateful for their continuing commitments.

The schedule of Leadership Washington County sessions for the 2006-2007 class year is:

Orientation Session August 25, 2006

Leadership in a Changing Society September 19, 2006

Quality of Life October 17, 2006

Business and Economic Development November 14, 2006

Justice System December 12, 2006

Government and Politics January 16, 2007

Educational System February 20, 2007

Health and Human Services March 20, 2007

Community Leadership April 17, 2007

Graduation May 24, 2007

If you are a business person who has a personal mission to "go in advance" in order to improve the standard of living in your community, or to give back based on the success that you have achieved, you are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted through July 15th, 2006 and are available by visiting the LWC website at www.leadershipwashington.com or calling the Washington County Chamber of Commerce at 724.225.3010