Leadership Fort Bend
was
organized in 1986 under the sponsorship of the
Rosenberg-Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce. The concept for
the program grew out of what was perceived to be a real and
ever growing need for volunteer leadership in the Fort Bend
County Area. As a program of the Chamber of Commerce,
Leadership Fort Bend is designed to create an understanding
of how the community functions, and to increase leadership
skills and incentive. The program offers skills training,
idea experimentation and an attitude receptive to new
approaches and ideas in the study of regional issues. This
provides the community with a pool of talent for
participation on boards, employment, volunteerism and
project facilitation, while building relationships. As an
outcome, the graduates of Leadership Fort Bend are
encouraged to use these newly acquired skills to contribute
greatly to the area through their service in the Chamber of
Commerce, city and county government, and many other worthy
endeavors. The future efforts and involvement of the
graduates of the program will contribute significantly to
the quality of life for all citizens of this area.
Participants
Candidates are selected each year from a wide spectrum of
the area's population. They represent business, labor,
religion, government, minority groups, civic organizations,
nonprofit organizations and professional fields.
Participants are nominated by businesses, civic and
governmental organizations, social service agencies and
Chamber of Commerce members, or by self-nomination.
Nominees should be able to commit to the attendance
requirements as stated in program information below.
Those
who participate in Leadership Fort Bend have a solid
opportunity for future leadership in the community, and
possess a commitment to working for progress and growth.
Program
Leadership Fort Bend
is
a nine-month program, September to May, beginning with a
two-day mandatory retreat followed by six all-day sessions,
a two-day trip to the State Capitol and a two-day closing
retreat, both also mandatory. Participants missing any of
the two-day sessions or more than two of the one-day
sessions will not be eligible for class graduation. The
Leadership Fort Bend program includes training in
communications, character and personal career management
skills, as well as community issues. The sessions' topics
include education, infrastructure and economic development,
city and county government and history, the judicial system,
state government, health and social services and
volunteerism. The program is facilitated by alumni. After
graduation participants are encouraged to remain active in
alumni affairs and Chamber activities that support the
ongoing success of the Chamber of Commerce and the
Leadership Fort Bend program.
Purpose
For
the Participant:
To
become aware of community needs, problems and opportunities
To
meet and exchange ideas with community leaders and
volunteers
To
develop leadership skills necessary to motivate others
To
have the opportunity for the examination, practice and
development of leadership responsibilities and techniques
For
the Community:
To
provide a continuing source of active, responsible and
trained leaders to meet community needs
To provide a forum for discussion of challenges facing the
Fort
Bend
community
To
promote a better understanding of community issues in the
broader community with which participants connect an
important factor in the selection of participants is
identifying those individuals most apt to utilize their
leadership for the long term benefit of the community. Basic
criteria for the process are as follows:
1) A
sincere commitment, motivation and interest to serve the
community
2) Demonstrated leadership through past activities
3) Intentions of seeking key leadership roles
4
)Possessing the potential for advancement to leadership
positions within one's own organization
5) Having an occupational commitment to remain in Fort Bend
County for the immediate future
6) Representing a cross section of all sectors of the
community, including but not limited to age, gender,
ethnicity, profession, beliefs, etc.