Leadership Otsego County – Gaylord/Otsego County Chamber of Commerce

Leadership in Otsego County: A Challenge for the Future

After having spent nine months enrolled in the Gaylord/Otsego County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Otsego County class, we feel that we have received a very thorough overview of how our county operates on many different levels.

And while we, as students, have seen numerous programs, services, and natural resources that distinguish us from our neighbors, we have observed that the greatest asset Otsego County has going for it is the incredible group of people who live here.

Over and over during this experience, we have been shown real-life examples of how different people and different agencies have joined forces to advance a common cause.  Whether it was the various arms of the 46^th Circuit Court system working together to ensure a smoother flow of justice or the University Center offering a vast array of educational resources under one roof, we Leadership Otsego County students have learned a very important lesson.  If we want to get anything done in this county, we need to seek out as many positive partners as possible.  More than trees, hills, rivers, or golf courses, Otsego County boasts some amazing people.

As we have made innovation and creativity an important part of our own lives, we have learned that we cannot accomplish our goals alone.  Nor, should we really want to.  Great results come from sharing ideas, exploring alternate viewpoints, and “passing the ball”.  One of the precepts from our ropes course experience that we strongly believe in is that more joy and satisfaction comes from involving a team in a project than going it on your own.  In Otsego County, we have an unusually high number of people who have bought into this belief and practice it on a daily basis.

But this is where we start to become greedy.  As terrific as Otsego County already is, we know that we can be better.  We know that there are still scores of winning ideas out there that haven’t seen the light of day yet.  We know that we need to not only nurture, but actually go out and recruit the next generation of leaders.

We believe this is our most pressing collective concern.  We understand that we need more quality jobs in this county.  We’re aware that we must absolutely protect our natural resources.  It’s plain that we must strive to maintain and grow our valuable tourist industry.  However, none of these individual goals can ever be realized, unless we have the motivated, dedicated, and educated people to champion these causes.

That’s why a program such as Leadership Otsego County is so vital.  If one were to look for an example of positive collaboration, one need not go any further that this very class.  During this past year, over 100 people, from every walk of life, have given of themselves to this program for the benefit of the next generation.  Over 100 people have put their lives and their jobs temporarily on hold for the next generation.  Over 100 people have put their own unique stamp on the same overarching goal.  All for just eight students!  These 100 people get it!  And, with the utmost sincerity, we wish to thank them.

Upon the graduation of this class, more than anything, we feel an overwhelming sense of obligation.  No longer can we say, “We didn’t know.”  No longer can we claim that we are too busy to help.  No longer can we find excuses for not being part of the solution to any problem that faces our community.  No longer do we want to take the path of least resistance.

OK, now back to the greedy part.  We want more people to get this.  We want more people enrolled in this class.  We want the most diverse, the largest, and the most driven group of Leadership Otsego County students any chamber of commerce has ever had.  We want this …year after year after year.

But why?  Why do we feel so strongly in this call?

The answer is simple and utterly selfish.  The reason we want all of these things is because our children live in Otsego County.  Our children will inherit the fruits of our labor.  Our children will have to fix the things we didn’t fix.  Or worse, the things we broke.  Our children will be formed by the schools, the churches, and the families of Otsego County, so we must ensure the highest quality opportunities imaginable.  Our children, even though they don’t realize it now, are counting on us to care enough to make an effort for their future.  These children are our future!  And we must lead them.

This is the challenge of leadership in Otsego County.  This is what we eight students of Leadership Otsego County are now ready to undertake.

Thank you,

Jim Berigan, Rose Boone, Michael Burrington, Justin Kowatch, Holly Matewicz, Jonathan Mays, Matt Peason and Adam Slosar

The 2005/2006 Class of Leadership Otsego County