Chamber Announces Opportunity
Accepting Applications For Leadership Program
By DEREK BLYER
Daily News-Record 7/6/18
HARRISONBURG — Harrisonburg- Rockingham Chamber of Commerce has announced an opportunity for application into its leadership programs this month.
The first program, Leadership Harrisonburg-Rockingham, will accept applications through the end of July. According to the chamber, the nine-month program is open to those who live or work in Harrisonburg or Rockingham County and seeks to build on relationships and community awareness for participants interested in expanding their leadership.
This program is offered to roughly 25 to 30 class participants, who bring a variety of backgrounds and connections to the table.
Another leadership program that is newer and more intense is the Building Optimal Leader by Design mentorship opportunity, with applications nearing selection sometime in early July.
Mentor Andy Vanhook states that the BOLD experience has been unique, and something that is beneficial to both the mentor and mentee.
“I felt flattered to be asked to mentor someone, and it has been beneficial in me learning from my mentee as well,” says Vanhook, owner of Appeal Production, a video production company in Harrisonburg.
“We meet monthly one on one, and quarterly as a group. It allows me to bring ideas or situations I’m experiencing at work, and just bounce those off him and vice versa,” he said. “I get to experience things I wouldn’t have thought I would, and again I feel flattered to have been asked to lead as a mentor.”
As it is more intense, this two year program is limited to six to eight participants and involves service on a nonprofit board of directors after program completion as a way to give back to the community, according to the chamber.
“I felt flattered to be asked to mentor someone, and it has been beneficial in me learning from my mentee as well.”
■ Andy Vanhook, owner of Appeal Production and Leadership Harrisonburg-Rockingham mentor