Leadership Programs

LRV Programs

Economic Development - December 19, 2007
A New Look at an Old Problem
The program's goal was to take an innovative look at Economic Development. The choice of venue, the new Claude Moore Education Complex, reflected that goal. The format was a talk show broken into three segments – think “Phil Donahue” mixed with “Jay Leno” and “Meet the Press” that looked at localities both fictitious and real that had developed economically “too slow, too fast and juuuust right”. Our host for the day was “Here’s Tommy Becher”. We enjoyed video and audio reports from the field and a skit that gave the audience an amusing view of future traffic problems in a Roanoke that experience hyper growth. We even looked into the future at a Roanoke that had stagnated with a collective shudder. Urban sprawl and the effect on the central city was a key theme. Guests were as diverse as Laura Godfrey, owner of Claire V handbags, to the usual suspects Doug Chittum and Phil Sparks. The panel discussion after lunch was livened up by Jim Barney’s applause-provoking different view of what economic development should be, calling for cash infusions from investment consortiums to build high tech industry and attract qualified employees to the area. Several of the guests, including one member of Roanoke City Council, indicated it was one the most thought provoking economic development discussions they had been involved in. The day ended on a sweet note with Chef Z of the Culinary Art Institute baking a cake for us to illustrate the "recipe” for economic success.
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Quality of Life - February 20, 2008
Existence, Relatedness, Growth
The 2008 Quality of Life program was held February 19 at Roanoke College. The day focused on Clayton Alderfer’s concept of “Existence, Relatedness, Growth” and how this concept impacts the quality of life of individuals and groups. The day started with “Existence” by identifying our own personal values and how we can satisfy our needs based on what we value. Participants identified core values in a balance wheel exercise and then moved into a poverty simulation to help imagine how it is to "feel the heat." Next was a session on financial decision-making and how our DISC assessments might affect the decisions we make. Then, Reverend Bill Lee addressed “Relatedness” and showed the benefit of building relationships to meet our own needs and to nourish the needs of others. An Amazon Survival Simulation highlighted the marked improvement in decision-making when working with others as opposed to working alone. Participants experienced the “Growth” portion of the afternoon after realizing once satisfying our own basic existence and relatedness needs; we are more likely to give of ourselves to aid others. There was a session on servant leadership and stewardship and then, working in small groups, we made no-sew fleece blankets as an outreach project. These blankets were donated to the Rescue Mission. Canned food was collected as admission to the program and donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank along with a check for $2,500 to exemplify our concept of "enhancing others QOL to enhance your personal QOL.”
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Education - March 19, 2008
Extreme Makeover
The Education Committee program focused on non-traditional educational opportunities that have the possibility of transforming lives while producing a skilled workforce. The committee chose the theme “Extreme Makeover – Education Edition.” The morning began at VWCC with opening remarks by Dr. Sandel regarding technical education in the Roanoke Valley. We then went to the Rescue Mission to learn about their Learning Center Program from Lee Clark, Director of Development, and Stephanie Lann, Learning Center Coordinator. The activity was enhanced by the personal testimony of Rudy Stump, a successful participant. The group was divided into teams to experience a small slice of the Rescue Mission program. We returned to VWCC for a working lunch catered by Jim Schaal Catering and a presentation from the Workforce Development Program leaders from Goodwill Industries, Kelly Sandridge and Beverly Amburgey. The last activity was introduced by Leah Coffman, Workforce Development Services for VWCC who explained the QuickConnect program. Ted Melnick of Novozymes spoke regarding the program and how it was business-driven to provide the valley’s manufacturing companies with a competent and skilled workforce. The group then broke into teams again to go through the Mechatronics labs at VWCC. Closing remarks were given by Leah as she reiterated the “Extreme Makeover” that non-traditional education can provide to individuals who either have no other options or are hampered by lack of marketable skills. Education is more than a classroom when real life is added to the equation.
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Local Government Affairs - April 16, 2008
On April 16th, the Local Government Team of the 25th class of Leadership Roanoke Valley presented a day long program exploring the many aspects of land use. The program location, Camp Roanoke, was a peaceful departure from downtown and corporate locations. Beginning the day with a moment of silence in memory of the Virginia Tech shootings, the Local Government team worked to create a seamless and engaging day incorporating many different elements of land use. Starting off the day, Paul Mahoney, County Attorney for Roanoke County, introduced the group to the role of local government in land use. Mahoney’s presentation was followed by a panel discussion of three local government officials, speaking on land use within their respective jurisdictions. Dan O’Donnell, Jay Taliaferro and Darlene Burcham provided their interpretation, restrictions and roles on the topic. Following our governmental speakers, a panel of three developers had the opportunity to share their insight on the issue. A casual lunch prepared by Camp Roanoke staff was enjoyed in the sun and on the lawn of the Camp. After lunch, a tour of the nearby Western Virginia Regional Jail site brought home the issue of land use and its impact on everyone, regardless of address. Following the jail tour, a final session on land use was presented by three representatives of citizens groups. Emphasizing how and why we should all get involved, these three speakers brought to reality the reasons why people do and should get involved. In conclusion, each participant and advisor was assigned a building to engage in “Build a Community” began. Bringing home all topics covered during the day, this game tied up the sessions and created dialogue between participants. As a call to action, the team offered their own insights regarding involvement, awareness and participation in the community we all inhabit.
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Community Involvement - May 21, 2008
The Power of One
The Community Involvement program focused on the simple ways in which a person can build community one act and one relationship at a time. The program featured discussions in the morning by Pam Cobler, the executive director of Ms. Wheelchair Virginia, and in the afternoon by Katrina Sherman, a cancer survivor, and her mother, Beckie Sherman. In addition, the participants were split into four groups, and each group was responsible for a simple project to assist the community. The first group toured the American Red Cross and four participants donated blood; the second group helped to label and price merchandise at the Discovery Shop, which raises money for the American Cancer Society; the third group assisted the Foundation for Rehabilitation Equipment and Endowment (FREE) by cleaning wheelchairs to be given to those in need; the fourth group made meals for the family of Sherry Tomley, a fellow LRV participant currently being treated for multiple myeloma. The program included an opportunity for each participant to remember and write a short note to a person that had touched his/her life. Finally, each participant was challenged to "throw a pebble in the pond" remembering that, as leaders in the Roanoke Valley, we each have a great responsibility to the community to care for others and act as examples and, in doing so, to strengthen the community one act and one relationship at a time.