Fourth graduating class of county leadership program expects to make a mark

The Cheyenne County Leadership Program celebrated its fourth graduating class on Thursday evening.

Ten local residents completed the program, sponsored by the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce with a goal of developing involved civic leaders and community volunteers.

“It gives people a better awareness of the community, of what’s here,” said Chamber Executive Director Glenna Phelps-Aurich. “We do tours of different places around the county that they wouldn’t normally just go to on their own. We have sessions on personal growth and leadership.”

Phelps-Aurich has planned and taught leadership courses for almost two years.

Greg Huck, owner of Financial Partners and a four year veteran with the program, hosted the graduation ceremony. Those who completed the course received a framed certificate. “Every community has a whole lot of things going on all the time,” he observed. “We’re trying to develop leaders or show people what’s in our community, what we are doing, what we are trying to accomplish.”

Participants learn of the opportunities in Sidney and Cheyenne County. They receive information on and discuss the different businesses and organizations active in the area and tour different facilities. They discover the purpose of each program and its plans. When they find a project or idea that sparks their interest, graduates are in a better position to become involved at a high level.

For Graduate Roni Smith, who was sponsored by Cabela’s, the program helped her find an interest in local organizations. She has lived in Sidney for the past three years.

“As a new member of the community there were a lot of business that I didn’t know existed a lot of industries I didn’t know were in Sidney,” Smith said. “It was a great way to network and find out about different programs—the TeamMates program and Kids Plus and all those types of things that Sidney has to offer.”

Police officer Keith Andrew was sponsored by the City of Sidney Police Department. He became involved in order to learn more about the interaction of local government and the community.

“There are so many things you take for granted,” he said. “It opens your eyes to a lot of things. I learned a lot about economic development and how that program works to bring in more business. You get a full aspect of how are government works.”

A Sidney resident for the past three months, Regina Narjes of Twenty First Century Equipment—her sponsor, as well—found the class to be a big asset to her day to day work and life.

“It was a really good experience, it was a good way to learn about the community and meet some different people in different areas than the industry I work in,” she reported.

Executive Assistant Kelly Chaon, sponsored by her employer, Wheat Belt Public Power, said the program will help her to deal with different personalities.

“I was really impressed with the class,” she pointed out. “Not only does it give you information about the community, but it also teaches how to deal with different people.”

The course is open to anyone interested in participating, including business owners, employees and active community members. Businesses sponsor participants and help them complete the program.

There is a fee of $400 for the class, which includes a two-day trip to Lincoln.