Reflections on Leadership
First, I want to thank Marshall for letting me have the opportunity to share some thoughts in his column this month. I always enjoy reading his remarks, and I know it’s important for the membership to hear directly from the Chamber President on a regular basis. I appreciate him letting me use his platform this month.
At this half-way mark of our Chamber year, a lot of thoughts have been going through my mind. Our Chamber was so fortunate to weather the COVID months without extreme disruption to our regular programs or financial hardship. For this I am extremely thankful. Reading comments from other Chamber executives from around the country in our “Chamber Professionals” Facebook Group, this was not the same situation for many of my counterparts.
Our Chamber has also come out of the COVID months strong. The volunteer and financial support of our members has been tremendous. Some of our most popular events such as the Small Business Awards of Excellence and Annual Golf Tournament have had banner years. Sponsorships and participation have been stellar. Our tourism efforts have paid off in continued strong hotel/motel tax collections. Our downtown events such as the “Live on the Lawn” concert series are flourishing; industrial prospect activity has been high; inquiries from visitors and newly relocating families come in every day; new businesses are calling weekly to inquire about Chamber membership; our members are scheduling Membership Breakfasts and Business After Hours events; retail development is booming. In short, life here is good.
From my experience at this Chamber, I think I understand one of the primary reasons for that…Quality Leadership. For many years the Morristown Chamber has had outstanding leadership, both from our volunteers and from the professional staff. Those who have stepped up to the plate to serve on the Board, Finance & Executive Committees, and who have agreed to make the sacrifices necessary to take the helm as Chair of the Board are well prepared. Our Chamber has always had a plan in place to assure that those who lead are given the tools they need, introduced to the right contacts, provided staff and volunteer support, and are given the opportunity to serve in the various divisions of the Chamber’s structure before assuming the chair role.
Since 1984, our Chamber has prepared volunteers to assume leadership roles through the Leadership Morristown Program. In its almost 40 years of programming, over 275 individuals representing all aspects of our community have graduated from Leadership Morristown and gone on to serve in state and local government, lead businesses, work with youth, direct non-profit organizations and boards and guide our Chamber of Commerce through the good times and the tough years.
On August 4, the Chamber will kick off its 2022 Leadership Morristown class. I have been honored to be a part of Leadership Morristown since its inception; we both “came on board” the same year. It is, without a doubt, my favorite part of my job. It has allowed me to work with some of the best people in this community. We have shared triumphs and struggles; I have mentored some and learned from all. Needless to say, I am more than excited for the Class of 2022 to become “the best class ever” (they ALL say that), and I can assure you the Chamber will continue to be in the hands of good leaders for many years to come.