John Grimm serves as chairman of the Leadership Development Committee of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce. He was also a participant in the 1991 program.

In our businesses, most of us have the opportunity to attend seminars and programs that are designed to teach us more about our trade or profession. But it is a rare opportunity to attend a program that is focused solely on the city in which we live and work. Leadership Cape is such a program. Sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Cape is designed to identify and motivate emerging leaders, regardless of age, and to develop their potential for community leadership roles by exposing them to the opportunities, realities and challenges of the community.

Leadership begins with education. Leadership Cape educates participants by inviting community leaders and experts from Cape Girardeau organizations and institutions to participate in the class sessions with the purpose of stimulating and provoking new thoughts and ideas. Panel discussions and group interaction are key elements of the program. Leadership Cape consists of seven sessions held every other Thursday morning beginning with a continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and concluding around noon.

Leadership Cape '92 will have its first session Jan. 23. Allan Maki, executive director of the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority, will give an inspirational talk about leadership and the qualities it takes to be a good leader. Following Maki's speech, participants will board a bus for a tour of Cape Girardeau, which will be narrated by Assistant City Manager Al Stoverink. The tour will focus on city development and planning. The first session will conclude with a tour and luncheon at Biokyowa, hosted by plant manager Joe Gambill.

In February, Leadership Cape '92 will continue with programs on health (Feb. 6) and government and politics (Feb. 20). Speakers from the health field include Jim Wente, Southeast Hospital; Edythe Davis, St. Francis Medical Center; Ron Wittmer, Doctors Park; and Gary Johnson, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri. Among those who will speak on government and politics are Gene Huckstep, county commissioner, and David Limbaugh, city councilman.

Other topic areas and dates of Leadership Cape '92 are:

March 5 Education and finance

March 19 Media

April 2 Legal and law enforcement

April 16 Tourism and entertainment

A sampling of some of the issues that will be addressed and discussed include: What is the structure of our local and state governments? Who is responsible for what? What are the future plans and projections for this community? How can the media work together more effectively? Why is there so much duplication of services between the two hospitals? How do we get a handle on escalating medical costs? How do we combat illiteracy?

Leadership Cape would not continue to be a successful program each year without the efforts of the Chamber's Leadership Development committee. I'd like to thank the committee members who have been instrumental in putting the 1992 program together. They include: Laurel Adkisson, Jeanne Goodman, Kevin Greaser, Steve Green, Lee Langston, Kristy Mehner, Jon Rust and Kim Swartz.

It is truly going to be an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in taking a more active role in the community and we encourage your involvement. There is no age limit; however, class size will be limited to 25 to allow for greater participation and involvement.

If you are interested in being a participant in Leadership Cape '92, applications are available at the Chamber office, 601 N. Kingshighway. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10. Tuition cost is $225 and covers all expenses for meals, notebooks, handouts, and all other costs incidental to operating the program.

For additional information please contact the Chamber of Commerce office at 335-3312 or any of the committee members listed above.