Debbye ValVerde, executive director for the local Chamber, said the course, which teaches leadership skills through a series of courses and tasks, has kept its students busy over the last five months.

“I’ve been with the chamber for 16 years, and this program was going long before I became a part of it,” said ValVerde. “The program itself has been a part of the Big Spring Chamber for at least 25 years, maybe even more.

“The class has evolved over the years. We’ve started asking our participants to be a part of the community by going to local government and school board meetings, and we get their input from what they see and what they have gotten out of the meeting. They go on police rides and through the Boy Scouts COPES Course, and it really bonds the group. They get to know each other better and become a team.”

ValVerde said the program not only teaches it’s class members how to lead, but how to have a positive impact on the community.

“That’s what this is all about. It takes teamwork to be a leader,” said ValVerde. “You can’t have a room full of chiefs and no Indians. You have to be able to work together toward a common goal, and that takes a great deal of teamwork.

“Each year we ask them to do a community project, and last year the class put a bench in the Heart of the City Park, similar to the ones Keep Big Spring Beautiful provided for the courthouse square. The class had to fund it, whether they got sponsorships or paid for it themselves. It teaches them how to get out there and get other people and businesses to help support worth while projects.

“We'll be putting a slightly different twist on things this year. We will have different presenters for the Leadership Skills portion of the program,” she added. “To start the class we will have Vicki Stewart, and also working with us is Federal Bureau of Prisons Warden Rodney Chandler, who will be presenting three of the classes this year. We look forward to working with the different speakers and providing a variety of leadership training through the skills portion of the program.”

With classes set to begin Aug. 14, ValVerde said there are plenty of people in the community that could benefit from the course.

“Applicants must we willing to commit to one full day — the second Thursday of each month — for ten months,” said ValVerde. “Those persons who have demonstrated management and leadership ability, have shown an interest in community affairs and have time and talent to offer the community are invited to apply.

“Tuition fee is $400 for chamber members and $600 for all others. Tuition includes transportation for tours, meals, leadership skills book with binder and information. Applications are available at the Chamber Office, and we will be glad to fax or e-mail it. The deadline for applications is July 21 and the program is limited to 25 participants.”

For more information contact the Chamber office at 263-7641.

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it