Leadership Big Spring registration open for 2021 session

The Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for the next Leadership Big Spring class, which is set to begin Oct. 14.

“Covid kept us from putting a class together for the 2020-2021 year, but we are ready to move forward this year,” Debbye ValVerde, Executive Director at the Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce, said. “The class is going to be a bit smaller than previous years and the time frame will be condensed, but it will still be the same concept and opportunity to learn about the community in which we live, work and play.”

The program is designed to increase leadership skills and teach participants more about the community. Employers, if you have new employees or administrative personnel new to the community, this would be a good program for them to learn more about Big Spring and Howard County. According to ValVerde, the program not only benefits those who are taking part in the class, but also their employers. Local business employees are gaining exposure and connections that could serve them well in their businesses.

“Every year, we have a great group of up-and-coming leaders in our community who want to learn more about Big Spring and the surrounding communities,” ValVerde said. “We’ve had hospital CEOs, local business owners, new members to the community, and even some long-term residents come through. This is a great way for them to become engaged with the community, keep up with events coming up and create good working partnerships to better serve the community.”

Registration for Leadership Class 39 is open and applications can be turned in at the Big Spring Chamber office or by e-mail. The program is limited to 10 participants this year. The tuition cost includes transportation for tours, meals, leadership skills information and more. The class will meet the second Thursday of the each month for the duration of the course. Participants must be able to attend the full day for each session.

“Leadership participants will come together once a month over the course of seven months,” ValVerde said. “We travel across Howard County and get to experience almost every aspect of Big Spring and what makes our community what it is.”

Anyone who is looking to find ways to get connected with other business owners, build leadership skills or seek to get more involved in the community and add to the growth, are good candidates for the program.

“I was born and raised and Big Spring, but going through Leadership Big Spring showed me several areas of the community I didn’t even know existed,” says Amanda Duforat, former