Inform, challenge and motivate — that’s the mission of Leadership Beaufort, and its goal to create the next generation of community leaders.

For eight years, the Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce has organized the program that provides an in-depth look into how government, businesses, nonprofits and more operate separately and together.

“Basically, when you’re doing the program, this person or organization talks about this other one and that one, and you just realize how interconnected everyone is, but you wouldn’t realize that unless you sat down and talked to them,” said Chamber Executive Director Catherine Glover.

Leadership Beaufort consists of seven day-long classes, held every other Tuesday from Sept. 4 to Nov. 27, that dissect specific topics of community interest, such as city and county government, education, health resources, non-profit organizations, law enforcement and the courts and economic diversity of Beaufort County. Lunch and transportation are provided.

“We encourage that because the groups get to know each other pretty well and form a bond,” Glover said.

After nearly a decade hosting the program, Glover said she tends to hear the same reaction from participants.

“They said things like, ‘I never knew all of this happens. I never knew how connected everybody is to each other. I never knew that nonprofit existed and how many people they serve,’” Glover said. “You can take a person who has lived here their entire lives in Beaufort County, and they will learn a tremendous amount of information — things they never knew. Or you can take someone that’s completely new to the community or wants to get more involved, and they can learn the ins and outs of every piece of the county in a short period of time.”

Glover said anyone who would like to learn more about the community is encouraged to participate. Tuition is $400, which covers materials for the course, lunch, transportation and a graduation event. Payment plans are an option; applications must be turned in by Aug. 24.

For more information, contact Glover at 252-946-9168 or cglover@wbcchamber.com.

 

LEADERSHIP BEAUFORT Schedule

 

Sept. 4

Planning, Growth, and Infrastructure

Sept. 18     

Municipal Government

Oct. 2   

Economic Diversity

Oct. 16     

Beaufort County Government

Oct. 30    

Educational Resources

Nov. 13  

Non-profits

Nov. 27      

Health Resources & Graduation