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The Opp Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for the 2023 Covington County Program of Leadership.

This will be the program’s third year after Opp Chamber Executive Administrator Kelly Brandin was informed of a similar program in Dothan. Nine graduates made up the inaugural leadership class in 2021.

The mission of this program is to build leaders and create ambassadors for Covington County. The deadline for submitting your completed application for this program is Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. The cost is $500.00 covered by employers, unless the participant is an individual.

Applicants for 2023 will convene Jan. 26-27, 2023, in their first meeting. Meetings will be held monthly on Thursdays in January through November except June and July, which is set aside for work on a community project. The 2023 class will graduate in January 2024 on a date to be determined.

Class members will propose and vote on a community service project to be worked on during June and July when the class does not meet. One class member will serve as the facilitator, but all members of the class will plan and execute the service project to completion.

“I have enjoyed every minute of this program. It’s taught me a lot about myself, my community, my workplace, and other people. Don’t let age and less experience discourage you from doing this. I would be fighting for a spot to do this next year. If you’re able, take this leadership class next year. You will not regret it,” 2022 participant Abbe Gwaltney of Covington Charm said.

The nine-month program, organized through the Opp Chamber of Commerce, includes sessions on local history, technology and cultural arts, local and county government, state government, public safety, health and human services, education and diversity, agriculture and forestry and economic development. The program’s goal is to build leaders and create ambassadors for Covington County.

To qualify for the program, individuals must meet the following criteria:

• Be a resident of Covington County or have worked/volunteered for a Covington County business or organization for a minimum of six months.
• Be at least 21 years old.
• Possess satisfactory evaluations from a current employer with support from said business/organization.
• Attend initial orientation, local focus, leadership, and personality assessment sessions and attend all monthly sessions.
• Compose testimonials on the program’s Facebook page.

“The 2022 Covington County Program of Leadership has been an eye-opening experience. I highly recommend this program for anyone interested in developing a more outward-focused perspective. If you’ve ever wanted a behind-the-scenes view of what it takes to make a community work and thrive, this is it,” participant Tyler Wingard of Southeast Gas said.

Members of the Leadership steering committee include Kelly Brandin, Ben Bowden, Melinda Hall, David Harrell, Jay Mikel, Greg White, and Michele Gerlach.

“This program not only taught me how to be a better leader but a better person. This experience has changed the way I see the community around me, and I’m so thankful for having participated,” 2022 participant Jonathon Parrish of CCB Community Bank said.

The 2022 class of the Covington County Program of Leadership is expected to graduate in January 2023.

For more information email oppchamber@gmail.com or call 334-493-3070.