Green Bay, Wis. (Aug. 30, 2008) – Leadership Green Bay has instilled a sense of community ownership and belonging in its more than 800 graduates over the past 24 years, and now as the program prepares to welcome its 25th class, those principles are highlighted brighter than ever.

“We’re thrilled that this is the 25th graduating class,” said Jeanne Agneessens, manager director ofof Leadership Green Bay, a program of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. “We have succeeded annually to attract a high caliber of caring, talented individuals to our leadership program.  Many of the graduates go on to volunteer on non-profit boards and committees which helps strengthen our community."

“We strive to annually have the caliber of caring, talented individuals every year.” With the application and interviewing process recently finished, the excitement surrounding the silver anniversary of the leadership program is mounting.

Since its beginnings in 1985, Leadership Green Bay (LGB) has helped cultivate leadership skills in its participants the tools necessary to lead and help their community. Whether it is a small group, a company, or even the entire city of Green Bay, Leadership Green Bay graduates are equipped, equipping them with the skills to succeed while makingmake their workplaces and the community at large, home a better places.

The program was built around educating leaders about opportunities and challenges in their community. Through the nine-month program, the 40 participants devote days to particular topics to obtain a more in-depth understanding of the area they call home – diversity, government and human services are a few of these. The class is then are divided into groups of eight and tasked with creating a project to address an issue or challenge in the Green Bay area. These projects do not cost the community anything, but are expressly designed for theto benefit the area. Over the past 25 years, LGB participantsthere have completedbeen 103 projects – from brochures and videos about the area, to the creation of the train depot at Bay Beach, to the installation of the restroom area in St. Francis Park to projects that have included installing public works of art and the recently installed Zachary Taylor statue in Leicht Park.

“They learn by doing,” said Agneessens. “When the graduates are done, they’ve become much better leaders. It’s really great to see people get thatreach success and want to give back to the community.”

With the welcoming of the 25th class of Leadership Green Bay, the program is growing stronger than ever, with applications increasing, new alumni events in the works, and national recognition. To celebrate the program’s milestone, Mayor Jim Schmitt has declared the week of Sept. 15-19 as Leadership Green Bay Week.

Media opportunities:
• The week kicks off with the Alumni Leadership Green Bay Golf Outing on Monday, Sept. 15, at Northbrook Country Club. Contact Eric Urben at (920) 676-3447 for registration information.
• LGB participants will participate in an Adopt-A-Highway cleanup on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 3 p.m. This will occur at LGB’s stretch of the highway on the curve of Hwy 172 and Hwy 43 south.
• On Wednesday, Sept. 17, LGB will host a recognition luncheon/press conference at the Bay Beach Train Depot to celebrate the community leaders who’ve impacted the greater Green Bay area as a result of their involvement in the program. All attendees must register with Dawn.Esterling@baylake.com.

On Thursday, Sept. 18, the 2009 Leadership Green Bay Class kicks off its season with its class retreat at the Best Western Lake Front Hotel in Manitowoc.

For more information on the 25th graduating class of Leadership Green Bay, the events during Leadership Green Bay Week or the program in general, contact Jeanne Agneessens at (920)593-3412 or lgb@titletown.org.

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Established in 1882, the mission of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is to promote economic and community development. Chamber programs include Advance, Partners in Education, Leadership Green Bay, Brown County Teen Leadership, Current--the Young Professionals Network, Good Government Council, the International Business Development Consortium and the Small Business Council.
For more information about the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and its programs, call 437-8704 or visit www.titletown.org.
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