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Leadership training available through daylong simulcasts
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Top-notch leadership training from global presenters such as Laura Bush and Desmond Tutu is usually limited to major metropolitan areas. Day-long seminars packed full of inspirational messages normally cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, not to mention the cost and inconvenience of travel. That kind of training is just not usually available in small rural communities.
But don't tell that to Lena Koebel, Area Account Manager for Mid-Plains Center for Enterprise. She has been offering a seminar right here in McCook to local residents for the past two years, with plans already in place to host a third one in May 2015.
The seminar is a full-day simulcast of a Leadercast conference. Last year, the live event took place in Atlanta, Georgia, but local participants gathered at the Weeth Theatre on the McCook Community College campus, where they were able to hear and see live speakers on a large screen. The conference has been offered for the past two years through the Center for Enterprise, and it has sold out each year. Limited to 60 participants, the conference has a price tag of only $69.
A $500 grant from McCook Community Foundation Fund, as well as financial support from others, has helped the Center For Enterprise keep the costs down. The McCook Community Foundation Fund committee has prioritized leadership development as a goal and the Leadercast simulcast seemed a perfect fit for providing local residents with the opportunity for personal development.
Leadercast focuses on building leaders worth following. The theme for the 2014 conference was "Being a Beyond You Leader". Presentations encouraged participants to make an effort to share the valuable attributes they have developed in themselves with those around them. Instead of being afraid of being replaced or losing status, great leaders look beyond themselves and share their knowledge and experience in order to help others also succeed.
Feedback from the local participants has always been very positive, according to Lena. Many of the 2013 participants also attended in 2014.
Planning for the event is a year-long process, both on the global level and on the local level. It is always held on the first Friday in May, which is also MCC's commencement date. "The college has been very supportive in allowing us to continue to offer this program on the campus. They feel it is very important for us to provide this type of opportunity to the community," Lena said. Since it is live-feed, a lot of technical support is required to host a successful simulcast.
The 2015 conference will be May 8 with a theme of "Be Brave." Speakers will encourage participants to make tough decisions and continue to hold strong ethics in the face of controversy. "With the number of repeat attendees we have had in the past, we fully expect to sell out next year's conference as well," Lena said.
For more information about the Leadercast conference, contact Lena Koebel at the Mid-Plains Center for Enterprise at (308) 345-8124. The McCook Community Foundation Fund exists to inspire investment in the quality of life for the people of southwest Nebraska. More information about MCFF is available by calling (308) 344-9363 or by visiting their website, www.nebraskahometown.org/fund/McCook.