Leadership class accepting students: The class, run by the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, gives budding leaders an education about Pueblo.

Oct 02, 2008 (The Pueblo Chieftain - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- XEL | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- The Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce is recruiting for its Leadership Pueblo program, a five-month class designed to give participants a chance to use their leadership skills to give back to the community, according to Juls Bayci, communications director for the chamber.

The annual class will begin with an orientation on Dec. 2 followed by an overnight retreat Jan. 16-17. The classes will begin following the retreat.

There will be a total of seven all-day sessions -- one every three weeks -- focusing on Pueblo's history and future, state and local governments, education, health and human services, resources and the media.

Participants will visit different agencies and organizations so they can learn about the inner workings of these different aspects of the community, said Bayci. During one session the class might visit the Pueblo County Courthouse and in another session it might listen to speakers talking about local education.

The class has graduated three people who have gone on to serve on the Pueblo City Schools Board of Education, according to Bayci. Other graduates serve in city government and local companies. The purpose of the class is to give the participants a chance to make contacts and become more informed, said Bayci.

"People who join this class are already leaders," said Bayci. "Whether they're leaders in their jobs or parents."

"I really learned a lot about communication and a lot about Pueblo," said Teri Borgstedt, a 2007 participant of the class. Borgstedt is a senior account manager at HUB International insurance.

Borgstedt said she grew up in Pueblo but still learned a lot of new things about the area's history.

Fred Arellano, director of Xcel Energy's Comanche plant and a 2007 participant, said he really enjoyed touring Pueblo's different organizations and seeing how they interconnect.

Arellano also said the class was an eye-opener for him because he got to see the large educational and financial needs in the community. It inspired him to encourage Xcel employees to continue their volunteer work. "We really try to encourage other managers to take the class," said Arellano.

Sherri Baca, also a 2007 participant, said her favorite part of the class was visiting the state Capitol in Denver to watch a House session and having lunch with regional repre- sentatives.

"A visit to the Capitol is one thing but to get an inside pass is great," said Baca, director of the Roselawn Cemetery and Funeral Home.

The five-month program costs $550 and scholarships are available. For more information call 542-1704.

To see more of The Pueblo Chieftain, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.chieftain.com. Copyright (c) 2008, The Pueblo Chieftain, Colo. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

More News:   Market Updates | Stock Alerts | All Trading News | Stock Index