Leadership Cattaraugus
Begins with Retreat

The Leadership Cattaraugus class of 2009 began their training with a retreat on March 23 and 24 at Jamestown Community College.

John Stevens, board president and Class of 2004, and Jodi Fuller, Class of 2006 and curriculum committee member, led a discussion involving attributes they considered essential to leadership. Among the characteristics were self confidence, empowerment, ethics/integrity, collaboration, perseverance, and vision.

The group also developed a list of critical issues. Since 2004, each class has comprised a list of issues they feel are critical to the growth and stability of the region. The Class of 2009’s critical issues included unemployment, health care, taxes, technology infrastructure, transportation, relocation of young people, aging infrastructure, lack of education for professional development, health insurance, lack of amenities, lack of activities for youth, generational poverty/welfare, affordable housing, decreasing population, aging population, slow in value change toward race/gender, gangs, limited cultural activities, lack of knowledge of international affairs, funding, dropout rate, affordable child care, lack of nursing homes, escalating teen pregnancy rates, and increase in crime/drug abuse.

During the two-day retreat, the group also listed the county’s treasures. These include things that residents may overlook or may not be aware of or think of often. The top rated items, which make Cattaraugus County home, are quality of life, cost of living, recreational activities, natural resources, low crime rate, higher educational opportunities.

The class of 16 will continue to meet monthly through December. The program includes monthly workshops on government services, education, tourism and economic development, the justice system, leadership training, health and medical services, human services, board member development, and a day dedicated to the critical issue of the cohort’s choice. Workshops take place on the last Tuesday of each month from April to December. Graduation will be held in December.

Leadership Cattaraugus is a joint initiative of the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce, Jamestown Community College’s Cattaraugus County Campus, the ReHabilitation Center and St. Bonaventure University, with the goal of “growing” future civic leaders.

Founding Partners in Leadership Cattaraugus include Alcas Corporation, Cattaraugus Empire Zone Corp., Cooper Power Systems, Cytec Industries, Dresser-Rand, Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce, The Iroquois Group, Jamestown Community College, Olean Advanced Products/AVX, Olean General Hospital, The ReHabilitation Center and St. Bonaventure University.

For more information, contact Jesse Gugino at 716/376-7572, leadershipcatt@mail.sunyjcc.edu, or any member of the organization’s board of directors, including Marjorie Litteer, Pete Sunderland, Tina Zerbian, John Stevens, Dave DiTana, Bill O’Dell, Rob DeFazio, Pete Dandrea, Mike MacWilliams Dan Antonioli, and John Sayegh. More information can also be found by visiting www.leadershipcattaraugus.org.

Pictured from left, Sandy Sherman, Amy Schneggenburger, Tammy Hinman, and Bret Marvin meet during the Leadership Cattaraugus Class of 2009 opening retreat March 23 and 24 at Jamestown Community College’s Cattaraugus County Campus.
(Photo courtesy of Leadership Cattaraugus)

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