Chamber Revives Business Leadership Class

A new format is coming to the Stow-Munroe Falls Adult Leadership Program, a nine-month course designed to advance personal leadership skills for members of Stow's business community.

Doris Stewart, executive director of the Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the class, said the program took a brief hiatus until four graduates from the 2010-2011 course looked to revamp it for 2013-2014.

"And give it a fresh look," Stewart said.

For this year, the twice-monthly class will feature a full day taught by Ned Parks, a corporate coach who specializes in business consulting and staff development.

Kim Polatas, of Marathon Financial Services, Donna Beheydt, of Minuteman Press, Ellen Kurr, of AtNetPlus, and Jacquie Mazziotta, of Mazziotta Communications, are the four graduates of the program who are organizing the redesigned leadership format.

"Participants will not only get leadership training, but it's also a great way to network, learn about community resources as well as gain insight into opportunities on how participants can support the community through charitable organizations and more," Mazziotta said.

The classes start in August and finish in May. The courses are held twice a month on Tuesday mornings.

Parks will teach the first Tuesday session of each month. The second Tuesday class is the community awareness session, during which class members will visit various businesses, non-profits and social service agencies in the area.

Stewart, herself a graduate of the class, said in the past students in the program have visited the Haven of Rest in Akron, the Summit County juvenile court and the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

"The overall intent of the class is to help not only the people that are taking the class to develop more as a personal leader …. But also to hopefully have them continue on in our community as leaders," she said. "No matter what route they take, whether it’s government or in business or in non-profit organizations, they’re able to give something back to the community."

The program costs $500 for members of the chamber and $600 for non-members. Registration will be open into June. 

"I really do believe that once they’ve gone through the class and made the investment they’re investing in themselves and their future," Stewart said. "And it’s well worth the investment."