The Venango Vision Regional Leadership Program is an investment in the area's
greatest resource-its current leaders, emerging leaders, and future leaders. The program merits support of all organizations and individuals concerned about rural areas of Pennsylvania such as ours.
Our economy and quality of life are changing daily and bringing both problems and opportunities for growth and expansion. Many aspects of everyday life need the attention of dedicated leaders in the community.
Whether it is health care, economic development, or environmental maintenance, issues concerning our region are complex and their solutions are often complicated. Venango Vision's design is to develop leaders who create solutions and excel in providing direction for their community.
Our Focus . . .
The institute will focus on a diverse range of experiences designed to develop and enhance leadership abilities.
• Presentations from leaders across the country.
• Task-based learning involving real-life problems and scenarios facing the Venango County community and its residents.
• Networking with others to build a stronger community.
Our Participants . . .
Participants of the program are people like you. They come from all walks of life. They are homemakers, students, community leaders, health care and human services personnel, executives, and supervisors. They have no specific occupation or organizational affiliation. Participants have diverse interests but share a common commitment: to work together to improve the quality of life in Venango County for generations to come.
Program Overview . . .
The program is a eight-month course that focuses on bringing three generations together: current, emerging, and future leaders. Participants will attend half-day and full-day seminar sessions. Participation fees are as follows:
Youth: $150
Adult (post-high school): $850
Venango County adult residents may apply for scholarships up to $425.
Book List . . .
Quotes
"The Venango Vision Leadership Program is a great way for those of all ages to interact and build on the experiences of others. It was nice to network with other area leaders and collaborate on community projects. The training and curriculum followed was phenomenal and I would highly recommend the program to anyone looking to update and enhance their leadership skills. The program definitely helped me build new customer relationships."
Holly Jarzenski-Berlin (Venango Vision Class 2006-2007)
Sales & Service Manager, Computer Showcase/CSOnline
VACC Executive Board Member
Arts Council Board Member
New Owner of 4 Seasons Creations (National Transit Studios & Art Center)
Junior Achievement Instructor
“I have benefited tremendously from Venango Vision. I learned so much about my community and business in general. I have opened my own catering business as a direct result of the confidence I gained from Venango Vision.”
Kathy Exley (Venango Vision Class 2005-2006)
Oil City Northside Business Association, Vice President
Business Network Professionals (A division of Business Network International.)
Oil City Garden Club
Venango Chamber of Commerce.
“I feel the Venango Vision Leadership was a great opportunity to learn more about the community. It was also a great opportunity to meet some great people & find out what others are doing in the community.”
Cindy McBride (Venango Vision Class of 2005-2006)
Youth Alternative of Oil City, Inc., DirectorFocus on Our Future Collaborative Board
Children and Youth Advisory Board – Venango County
Venango Technology Advisory Committee
Clarion University Rehabilitative Science Advisory committee
I-CAPP
DuBois Business College Advisory Committee – Oil City
“Participating in Venango Vision has been an unparalleled experience for me as a new area resident who quickly became involved in our community. The seminars and speakers provided unique "Cliff-Notes" for quickly learning the region. The networking with caring involved leaders will also support my community participation for a long time."
Elaine Parke-Susko (Venango Vision Class of 2007-2008)
“I am a Venango Vision Leadership Graduate. As a newcomer to town the program was great for me because it gave me a tremendous overview of the region and enabled me to meet the areas’ business leaders… up close and personal. I learned about local agencies and municipalities and met the amazing people that serve our community. I would recommend this program to anyone who has aspirations of becoming an elected official or community leader.”
Randy P. Seitz
President/COO
Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism
“The Venango Vision Regional Leadership Institute helped me ‘get in touch’ with Venango County today. It provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the economic, social, and demographic issues confronting our region. The program also stimulated my thinking with respect to how and in what manner we can tackle some of these problems including unemployment, the out-migration of our talented young people, drug and alcohol abuse and economic decline.”
Ed Bergin (Venango Vision Class of 2007-2008)
Organized and produced grant research and grant writing workshops for Venango County non-profits
Helped Venango County establish the Northwest Pennsylvania ‘Cooperative Collection’ Grant Research Center at the Franklin Public Library
Assist non-profits in writing grants
"I learned more about professionalism in my eight months with the Venango Vision Leadership Institute then I did in my entire business baccalaureate degree at Penn State."
William Reese BSBCC IT (Venango Vision Class of 2007-2008)
Mass Media Arts Journalism and Communications Studies graduate student at Clarion University
Graphics Designer, Artist, Electronics Engineer, Jack of all trades and master of none ... yet
“Venango Vision has provided me the opportunity of a lifetime... to network and socialize with proven community leaders; to build relationships with future leaders; and the skill set and abilities to become a better leader. Venango County is a better place because of the difference Venango Vision graduates make in our communities. I am proud to be a Venango Vision alumnus!”
Ashley Stroup-McCauley (Venango Vision Class of 2005-2006)
Office Administrator, Venango Area Chamber of Commerce
"The Venango Vision Leadership Institute provided me with the opportunity to work with other community members in learning about the strengths of Venango County and how we can leverage them to promote the area and work together for success, individually and corporately.”
Susan R Williams, Executive Director
Venango Area Chamber of Commerce
“Networking-I got to know members of the class and now I feel comfortable going to them to work on projects and to also send consumers to them for interviews, help, info., etc. I am helping to organize the National Letter Carriers Food Drive and am working closely with others as well as an individual from the class. The class has allowed me to be more comfortable in a leadership setting; such as speaking to groups, and organizing meetings. I received a wealth of information from the speakers that I can use in my job. I t has made me analyze my own leadership style and be more sensitive to other styles of employees. It helped me to be a more caring leader by trying to understand why a client/employee does what they do. I also gained knowledge of what services are available in Venango County and what our local government and agencies do. I also learned the proper way to introduce speakers, obtained great resources such as books to read, Robert Rules, etc. The program also gave me the opportunity to create a personal vision statement.”
Mary Jeanne Gavin (Venango Vision Class of 2006-2007)
Coordinator for Community Services of Venango County
RUFES Board Member
Junior Women of Venango County
Member of Newcomers Club
Council Representative for Good Hope Lutheran Church
Hasson Home and School member and past President
“I'm not sure I can quantify the benefits of the Venango Vision program. I met and came to know well community leaders and people interested in being a leader in the community. I learned about personalities and planning and how to really make the team concept work well. I have cemented relationships with people I consider friends and newsmakers and community leaders. I have formed a working relationship with Youth Alternatives allowing me to know the challenges, the ups and downs of serving our youth, especially those suffering from lack of attention. I have learned first hand outside the news environment that where the rubber hits the road there are hundreds, thousands of good people doing good things everyday in this county. I have formed relationships with people who share my view that Venango County is a great place to live and work...who have a vision for what can be instead of what it was. I have learned a little humor goes a long way and eases the tension of bringing about change. It's the people, people with positive attitudes and clear vision, willing to think outside the box. The networking was wonderful. The relationships are real. The vision is tangible. The spirit is here and now. A worthwhile program...you bet. The best leadership course I have ever experienced.”
Mark E. Heim (Venango Vision Class of 2006-2007)
News Director
WKQW Radio in Oil City
Venango Vision Board
- Jeffrey Clark, Valley Grove School District
- Courtney Cox, UPMC Northwest
- Robert M. Cross, First United National Bank
- Pamela Evans-Waters, Specialty Fabrication & Powder Coating
- Tom Friedhaber, Friedhaber's
- Jerri Gent, Clarion University-Venango Campus
- Butch Hargenrader, Pepsi Bottling Group
- Sonja Hawkins, Oil City City Council
- David Hurr, Central Electric Cooperative, Inc.
- Mike Klapec, Klapec Auto Body
- Stephen Kosak, Kosak and Associates
- Hope Lineman, Clarion University-Venango Campus
- Linda Lusher, Galaxy Federal Credit Union Marilyn Neely, Pathways Adolescent Center
- Chris Reber, Clarion University-Venango Campus
- Ronald Shoup, Community Member
- Shana Smith, National City
- Lance Titus, Northwest Savings Bank
- Lance Hummer, C\VERA
- Susan Williams, Venango Area Chamber of Commerce
We look forward to working with you to build strong leaders and a stronger community. For an enrollment application, please contact:
Clarion University-Venango Campus
1801 West First Street, Oil City, PA 16301
877-VENANGO
www.clarion.edu/venango
Hope Lineman, Coordinator of Continuing Education
Phone: 814-676-6591, ext. 1273
Fax: 814-676-1348
E-mail: hlineman@clarion.edu
Clarion University is a member of
Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education
It is the policy of Clarion University of Pennsylvania that there shall be equal opportunity in all of its educational programs, services and benefits, and there shall be no discrimination with regard to a student's or prospective student's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation/affection, veteran status or any other factors that are protected under local, state, and federal laws. Direct equal opportunity inquiries to Assistant to the President for Social Equity, 207 Carrier Administration Building, Clarion, PA 16214-1232, 814-393-2109
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