Leadership Gulf Coast
Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Gulf Coast is a program designed to prepare the area's current and potential leaders for the future. The program's goal is to understand real problems and opportunities in our community, and to create a communication network between present and emerging leaders dedicated to the improvement of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Questions about Leadership Gulf Coast may be addressed to:
Leadership Gulf Coast
11975E Seaway Road
Gulfport, MS 39503
228-604-0014
How does Leadership Gulf Coast work?
The program is designed to last for nine months beginning with a breakfast in August and an overnight retreat in September. A variety of topics will be discussed in seven one-day sessions, concluding with an overnight retreat in May.
The one-day sessions will feature experts from diverse fields. Topics to be covered include Military, Government, Human Needs & Health Services, Economic Structure of the Coast, Human Relations, Education, and Quality Of Life.
Who can participate?
Candidates for Leadership Gulf Coast may be nominated by organizations, employers, or individuals. No more than 37 men and women, representing community diversity, will be selected.
Each nominee will be expected to complete and return a detailed application.
An anonymous selection committee will review each application. Participants will be chosen on the basis of community involvement, leadership capabilities, and potential in their respective fields. Attendance at each activity is strictly enforced with only minimal absences allowed for the monthly sessions.
What Can We Expect From Leadership Gulf Coast?
One of the most important goals of Leadership Gulf Coast is creating a continuing flow of strong, community-committed alumni. The networking system developed by the program will be constantly expanded by the graduates. The prestige of the program will increase as Leadership alumni utilize their capabilities and progress into higher positions of authority in our community.
What Is The Cost of Leadership Gulf Coast?
The tuition fee is $1,325.00. As part of the learning process, participants are expected to secure their own funding. It is anticipated, however, that sponsors, employers or other involved organizations may be willing to help with this deductible expense.
The Program
Get-Acquainted Breakfast
This will be the first gathering of the Leadership Gulf Coast Class. An overview of the year's program will be presented. In addition, class members will have an opportunity to visit with each other in an informal setting.
Opening Retreat
This overnight retreat serves as an introduction to the year's program, to various leadership techniques, and to the purpose and operation of LGC study groups. Through a series of group exercises, participants will explore interpersonal feelings and other aspects of face-to-face communication in order to develop strategies for more effective leadership.
Military
This session will provide insight into the role and impact of the military installations along the Gulf Coast.
Government
This issue will explore the ever-changing climate of local and state government. Participants will address problems, frustrations and concerns with our legislative process.
Human Needs & Health Services
Participants will identify and recognize areas of need and focus on health care and social service facilities and programs. This program will examine current human needs and problems on the Gulf Coast.
Economic Structure Of The Coast
A review of our economic base will provide insight into the business profile of the Gulf Coast. Participants will review the role of business, industry, and employment in the Gulf Coast community.
Human Relations
This session is designed to give participants an opportunity to understand and explore intercultural relationships. Participants will examine their own attitudes and learn to communicate more effectively.
Education
This session will focus on education from preschool through college graduation and beyond. Educational resources on the Mississippi Gulf Coast will be discussed and explored.
Quality Of Life
The tangible and intangible ingredients of quality living will be explored and researched. What characteristics make the Mississippi Gulf Coast worthwhile and attractive? What avenues of involvement are available for participants? How does quality of life and economic growth relate? This program will challenge participants to plan a course of action to make an individual and community difference in the quality of life of our community.
Spring Retreat
This overnight retreat will serve as a review and culmination of the Leadership Gulf Coast year. Study groups will report their findings and participants will discuss future trends in economics, business, and demographics.
Graduation
This banquet will serve as the successful completion of the Leadership Gulf Coast program.
Leadership Gulf Coast History
In 1988 a group of community leaders from the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce began formulating ideas for a new program, which would offer developmental opportunities to current and future community leaders. There was justified concern that the Coast needed to create a continuing flow of strong, community-committed people who would take on leadership responsibilities from those who had been serving for a number of years. This group knew that our supply of individuals who possessed the knowledge, understanding, commitment and courage to assume leadership responsibilities was limited. After researching several successful leadership programs that were already established, the group realized we also needed a program that would ensure our future success. Preliminary documents stated the intent of our local program should:
"...ultimately be designed to sensitize our current and potential leaders to the real problems and opportunities in our community, teaching them to consider an array of options in finding solutions and helping them to know each other well, developing a network of relationships that would provide clear communication between and among all segments of our society."
This was an exciting statement and the more involved this group became; the more they realized the benefits of such a program for our Coast. They were more determined than ever to see their efforts become reality. In 1990, Leadership Gulf Coast officially became a program of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber recognized the leadership program as one of its major activities and therefore agreed to supply a staff person, office supplies, and office space to the program. Today, the Leadership program pays the Chamber a nominal monthly maintenance fee for their services.
Leadership Gulf Coast is ultimately governed by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber Board of Directors. However, Leadership also has its own Board of Trustees, by-laws, policies and procedures. The Leadership Gulf Coast Board consists of a cross-section of our community. Each Board member is elected for a three-year term and can serve additional years to fill unexpired terms of less than three years.
The Leadership year runs from June 1st to May 31st. Each year 37 people are selected to participate in the program. One additional position is given to the Chamber in order for a staff person to be able to participate. An anonymous committee selects the participants based on a matrix, which ensures a true cross-section of all segments of our community. Attendance at monthly sessions is strictly enforced with minimal absences allowed. The contents of each session are based on current issues and concerns of the Gulf Coast. The sessions begin in August and end with graduation in May. Upon graduation, alumni are charged with "utilizing their capabilities and progress into higher positions of authority in our community."
The establishment of Leadership Gulf Coast has succeeded in breaking barriers between communities, and it continues to build a unified vision for the Gulf Coast.
