Leadership Randolph Celebrates 20 Years of Success
asheboro city council, asheboro/randolph chamber of commerce, business, celebration, david smith, leadership randolph, success,
David Smith says his stint with Leadership Randolph in 1989 was beneficial for his personal life, plus it encouraged him to advance in public life.
Today, Smith is serving his third term on the Asheboro City Council, and he is also the city’s mayor pro tem.
“Being the mayor pro tem means that if the sitting mayor doesn’t show up for a meeting or function, then I preside over that session,” Smith says. “As for Leadership Randolph, one of the greatest benefits I received from the program was the networking and interaction with my fellow participants. Many of my classmates from 1989 are still some of my closest friends today.”
Smith says that even though he is a native of Asheboro, he was amazed at what he learned in the class.
“I felt that I already knew about this community where I have always lived, but Leadership Randolph gave me a detailed, behind-the-scenes look at the workings of, for example, local government,” he says. “I learned about the services that both Asheboro and Randolph County provide its citizens, as well as the inner workings of law enforcement and the court system. It really opened my eyes.”
Over its 20-year history, Leadership Randolph has seen a total of 460 graduates who have completed the nine-month course that is sponsored by the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce.
“Each class features about 30 professionals from throughout the community who meet once a month for nine months,” says Stacey Miller, membership and events director for the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce. “Participants are introduced to a variety of issues and then interact with a number of business and community leaders.”
Class members take monthly field trips to learn about agriculture, education, health and human services, tourism, team building, history, government, business and industry, and criminal justice. The nine-month program ends with a “You and Your Community” session, where participants are put in a hands-on volunteer role at a local charitable agency.
“During the education day, for instance, class members tour an elementary, middle and high school to observe all the technological advancements, but participants also learn about the needs at some schools,” Miller says. “In addition, the day includes a trip to Randolph Community College to learn about programs there, including health occupations, photography courses and a floral design curriculum.”
Miller says that to celebrate the 20th anniversary in 2008, Leadership Randolph is inviting former graduates to take a refresher course.
“There will be sessions on business etiquette, how to be a good corporate board member, worthwhile causes to volunteer for, and much more,” she says. “It will be nice to see some of the graduates return for some interesting next-step leadership classes.”
Story by Kevin Litwin
Photo by Todd Bennett
