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Leadership Sullivan Class of 2018

Joseph Abraham - Sports & Life Editor
Posted 4/19/18

Leadership Sullivan, in sponsorship with the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is celebrating its 19th graduating class!

The mission of Leadership Sullivan is to develop informed …

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Leadership Sullivan Class of 2018

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Leadership Sullivan, in sponsorship with the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is celebrating its 19th graduating class!

The mission of Leadership Sullivan is to develop informed and committed leaders from all segments of the community who will apply their collective experience and skills to serve, strengthen and improve the quality of life for all people who live and work in Sullivan County.

This group of emerging leaders have spent the last several months training to address the challenges facing their communities. This included taking classes in tourism, agriculture, education, media and communications, healthcare, government and politics, as well as economic development.

In addition to the education components of the program, each Leadership Sullivan class is required to complete a community service project.

Aware that Sullivan County is ranked 61st of 62 counties in the state for health, the Class of 2018 discovered that the County and other not-for-profit organizations are currently working to create awareness promoting exercise and recreation for our County's population through the use of the O & W Rail trails. The Class decided to focus on a project to create further awareness of that trail system.

The project involved cleaning and restoring a portion of three trails in preparation for spring and summer use. The trails chosen were Liberty (2.6 miles), Parksville (3.2 miles), and Hurleyville (3 miles); the exact location to be restored is determined by the municipality and/or entity which controls those sections of the trails. The Class also coordinate clean up dates through the various town and/or town partners.

The Class was excited to take part in the project as it allows all class members to build positive relationships with various town, county, and local officials and individuals who are also passionate about improving the quality of life for people in Sullivan County.

In addition, the Class was able to tap into some newly learned skills from their communications classes by reaching out and marketing their project through a variety of media outlets.

Class of 2018 Vice President Michele Babcock had high praise for the Leadership Sullivan program.

“I am honored that I was selected to participate in the Leadership Sullivan Program,” Babcock said. “I have learned about the many great assets in the County, including its natural beauty, educational, historical and community based resources, tourism and healthcare opportunities, agricultural products and local businesses. This program provides the education to create informed leaders who can work together to improve the quality of life and economic development in the County.

“Our class members bonded quickly and based on our diverse backgrounds we all provide different insight into how we can make a difference in the County,” Babcock added. “This program fosters building long-term relationships and continued community involvement. I would highly encourage others to participate in this program.”

Class of 2018 members

President: Campbell Lumbila (Center for Discovery)

Vice President: Michele Babcock (Jacobowitz and Gubits, LLP)

Secretary: Chelsea Abplanalp (Jeff Bank)

Backup Secretary: Erin Mason (Wayne Bank)

Historian: Heidi Reimer (Sullivan County Department of Community Services)

Backup Historian: Melinda Stratton (Jeff Bank)

Dr. Ellen Cooper-Festa (Self employed), Kenneth McTighe (Orange and Rockland Utilities), Lisa Merritt-Smith (New Hope Community), Dina Sturm (Town of Bethel), Samantha Virgil (New Hope Community) and Joseph Walsh (Sullivan County Department of Community Services).

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