September-April Each Year

Leadership is an important skill for any business owner or employee.  In small communities, such as Sidney, leaders are important in the every day activities of a town.  The Leadership class that the Chamber sponsors helps build, train, and find those leaders.  Often people do not accept positions on boards of directors or head service organization because they do not feel they are qualified.  With this 8 month training anyone will feel very confident in their leadership skills.  The class is 8 months in length, but actually is only one full day a month for those 8 months.  Each day that the class meets is called an Issue Day.  Issue Days cover particular areas of interest to Sidney citizens.  The days are Orientation/Small Business, Agriculture, Government Affairs, Health and Human Services, Education, Tourism and Recreation, and Energy.  There are also 3 days that are 4 hours of Skills Development covering a variety of topics and are a requirement for the class members.  Starting in 2002 the class was asked to put together a class project.  Last year's class brought in a new sign, engraved in rock, for Richland Park.

How do you become part of next year's class?  The class is limited, so there is an application process.  Please contact the Chamber before August 1st for an application and more information.  The cost of the seminar is $200 for Chamber members and $250 for non-members. College credits are available through Dawson County Community College.

2009 - 2010 Class Schedule

Issue Day 1:	September 16th, 2009	Orientation / Tourism & Recreation
Issue Day 2:	October 21st, 2009	Agriculture
Issue Day 3:	November 18th, 2009	Education
Issue Day 4:	January 20th, 2010	Small Business
Issue Day 5:	February 17th, 2010	Health & Human Services
Issue Day 6:	March 17th, 2010	Government
Issue Day 7:	April 21st, 2010	Energy
Graduation:	May 12th, 2010	Luncheon at the Moose Lodge

Skills Development Seminars

Skills Development are open to the public for a small fee.  These sessions are great ways to fine tune some skills and learn new ones.  Each leadership class participant is required to attend and the public is encouraged to attend.  Please contact the Chamber for price and availability.  Below are the dates, topics, and speakers for the three sessions planned in 2009 - 2010

October 7th, 2009:	Meeting Facilitition, MSU Extension Agents
Decenber 2nd, 2009:	Visions & Setting Goals, Teresa Livers
February 3rd, 2010:	Resources for Lifelong Learning & Leadership

Please check back for more information on these and other trainings available through the Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture.