Fourteen individuals participated in the Leadership Cumberland of 2018. Upper Cumberland Federal Credit Union had three staff members that graduated on August 14, 2018. The program is designed to help develop community leaders and is sponsored by the Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce. Through seminars, workshops, tours, and other means, participants get a first-hand look at how the city, county, and state work as a corporate entity.
The schedule of sessions included the following topics: Know Your Community, State Government, Education, The Economy, Public Safety and The Justice System, and History and Heritage. Each class is responsible for a project that will best represent the community and the class for the year. The class project for 2018 was raising money for the program Shop with a Cop. It is a program where Law Enforcement Officers take local children in need to purchase school supplies and clothing. The staff had the following comments about the program:
“Leadership Cumberland is a wonderful program and anyone that has the opportunity should definitely participate. I have lived here my entire life, but I learned so much about our community and county that I gained a whole new respect and outlook. There is so much opportunity that I don’t think everyone realizes is offered right here in our hometown, and it is my wish that this program is an ongoing program.” ~ Mary Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, employee since 2002.
“I really enjoyed all of the Leadership Cumberland sessions. I thought all the homework assignments were interesting and the history and heritage session was a wonderful end to a very informative class. Thank you to the Chamber for continuing to offer this program.” ~Amy Beasley, Chief Financial Officer, employee since 1997.
“The most informative sessions were the economy and the day we went to schools especially the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT). I think that anyone who ever gets the opportunity to tour that facility should take the tour. They offer so much that I don’t think the community realizes. I think this is one of the most interesting programs I have personally experienced and I encourage anyone who gets the opportunity to participate.” ~Angela Conatser, Branch Lead and Loan Officer, employee since 2004.
