Traditions in Chamber Leadership
As buzz words around our country center on many touchy issues, it is interesting to me that our chamber has been at the forefront of solving these issues or at least addressing many of them for 40 years. I recently spoke at a new Chamber program that we started last year, Women in Business, and was impressed at the number of female leaders in our community. I think even more impressive is when you walk into the Chamber Board Room and see Maudie Briggs on the wall as Chairman of the Board in 1988. This was a time when business and industry was very much male dominated but Maudie was an innovator and was never considered a female leader, she was simply a leader, and the same can be said of Denise Terry, Lynn Elkins and Roni Snyder.
As I travel around the world, many countries are less accepting of diversity in leadership positions, but in Morristown, not only is it accepted, it is accepted at a level that it isn’t even a topic of discussion. I think the most impressive thing about being a Chairman of the Chamber Board is that you are selected years in advance by a team of Past Board Chairs. It isn’t a snap decision and all that matters is your leadership capability, community involvement, support of the Chamber and ability to move our community in a positive direction.
As I look around the community today, it is exciting to see the diversity on all levels and feelings locally that anyone can lead as long as you exemplify the traits of a leader. Speaking of leadership, plans are underway for our leadership 2023 class and this is always a start when talking about future Chamber leaders. This programs helps to develop leadership skills as well as exposing participants to all aspects of our community to allow you to become the most informed leader possible. Anyone interested in participating in this program should contact Debra at the Chamber. Registration forms will be available in July, with the program starting in August.