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Area high school students volunteer, gain new experiences

Oxford, MS – A select group of sophomores from area high schools have been active this Spring volunteering their time with More than a Meal and assisting in the coordination of a regional blood drive as part of their involvement in the 2013 Junior Leadership class, a program sponsored by the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce.

“The program attempts to identify young leaders in the Oxford and Lafayette County schools, as well as home schooled and local private schools,” said Pam Swain, vice president of the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce, and program administrator. “Through the program, efforts are made to motivate them and assist them in sharpening their leadership skills, in the hope that they will exert a strong, positive influence on the future of Oxford and Lafayette County.”

Participants in this year’s class from Lafayette High School include: Brent Carson, Peyton Hamann, Linsey Lawrence, Addison Phillips, Bett Roberts, and Donovan Smith.

Participants from Oxford High School include: Marian Amundsen, Drew Baker, Charlotte Bullard, Sadler Bullard, Heidi Davidson, Quinn Elliott, Emily Hankins, Rachael-Catherine Hartnett, Alli Hayward, Meagan Kennedy, Reed Ashton Kevin, Henry McDavid, Anna McGee, Thomas Murphy, Kia Pegues, Dottie Reid, Carly Rock, Sally Rychlak, Alexa Sinha, Isaac Smith, Joseph Whitaker, and Eliza Williams.

Also, participating this year from North Delta School is Robert Rayburn.

The program combines group community leadership sessions with a community project that requires the use and development of leadership skills, Swain said. Students will participate in training sessions geared toward promoting team building, goal setting, community awareness, volunteerism, and communication skills.

The Junior Leadership program began the first week of February with the assignment of group volunteer projects. Throughout the course of the program, students will have the opportunity to meet and talk to medical professionals, government leaders, University professionals, criminal justice professionals, art leaders, local business leaders, and leadership speakers. The program will wrap up the first week of April with a dinner for the participants and their parents; at this time, the participants will make oral presentations, putting their leadership skills to good use, Swain said.

Junior Leadership Program Chair Lolita Gregory, with Mississippi Blood Services, said, “Through these sessions they see the variety of professions and services offered here in Oxford.  Going through this course may give them a better understanding of various jobs and help in making career decisions.”

The program started in 1998 and has successfully graduated nearly 350 participants.

The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce is the most dynamic business organization in our community where businesses and professionals come together to work to improve the business climate and quality of life for our area.  With over 550 members, the Chamber strives to undertake programs and projects which seek a positive business climate conducive to growth of the private enterprise system, raising per capita income and providing strong financial, physical and human resources, for the citizens of Oxford and Lafayette County.  These goals are accomplished through a variety of avenues, including networking opportunities, seminars, events, marketing opportunities, referrals, leadership programs, or other resources available exclusively to Chamber members.

For more information about Junior Leadership or about the Chamber, call 662-234-4651 or go to www.oxfordms.com.

            Oxford, MS‑‑ The Oxford‑Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce kicked off its 2013 class of the Leadership Lafayette program last week with a class announcement event at Chamber After Hours followed by an orientation session the next day focused on leadership training and personality assessments.  The Chamber’s Leadership Lafayette program started in 1988 and celebrates its 25th anniversary with this year’s class.

The 2013 Class includes:  Wes Anderson, Lafayette County Fire Dept.; RoSusan Bartee, University of Mississippi; Anthony Black, Caterpillar; Cal Bowen, Ronnie Windham, CPA; Natalie Camp, First National Bank of Oxford; Sierra Cannon, Re/Max Legacy Realty; Tina Chandler, First National Bank of Oxford;

Justin Childress, Merrill Lynch; Shane Denevan, Baptist Memorial Hospital-North MS; Rick Duke, University of Mississippi; Kate Embry, Dunbar Davis, PLLC; William Gillis, FNC; Kelly Graeber, City of Oxford/Volunteer Oxford; Bill Gulledge, ProMatura Group LLC; Hunter Harrelson, Merrill Lynch;

Kelli Jatta, Camp Lake Stephens; Clayton Kelly, Baptist Memorial Hospital-North MS; Monica Lebron, UMAA Foundation; Michelle Mason, Mechanics Bank; Jon Maynard, Oxford-Lafayette County EDF; Ferriday McClatchy, Ferriday McClatchy Events; Ken Parkinson, Hardy Reed, LLC;

            Demetrica Pegues, Southern Care Hospice; Diana Richardson, FNC; Blake Thompson, The Orchard; Faye Walter, University of Mississippi, Johnny Williams, Caterpillar; and Beth

Ziegenhorn, Yoknapatawpha Arts Council.

“I am very excited about this year’s program,” said Mary-Kathryn Herrington, Leadership Lafayette Chair and Marketing and Tourism Director for the Oxford Convention & Visitors Bureau.  “They are a remarkable group, and we anticipate the work they will do through their

projects will enrich our community. We are also eager to see them use their skills to get involved in different facets of the community beyond the program.”

This eight-month course, which runs from January through August, is designed to ensure the continuity of leadership in the Lafayette‑Oxford‑University community.  The class training builds community leaders through shared knowledge, skills and experience.  The Leadership Lafayette program emphasizes on developing leadership skills through activities promoting community awareness, team building and project development.

Objectives of the Leadership Lafayette Program are to: 1) Identify potential community leaders; 2) Develop individual leadership potential; 3) Acquire knowledge about community and current issues in Lafayette County; 4) Create dialogue and rapport among participants and current community leaders; 5) Provide opportunities to network with alumni of prior Leadership Lafayette programs; 6) Promote a sense of “community” through shared efforts benefiting the local community.

“The Leadership Lafayette steering committee has been diligently working on details of the program, planning the sessions, speakers and agendas,” said Pam Swain, Leadership Lafayette program administrator and Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce.  “These volunteers have been through this program and similar programs and have spent countless hours ensuring that each session is of value and interest to the class.”

The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce is the most dynamic business organization in our community where businesses and professionals come together to work to improve the business climate and quality of life for our area.  With over 570 members, the Chamber strives to undertake programs and projects which seek a positive business climate conducive to growth of the private enterprise system, raising per capita income and providing

strong financial, physical and human resources, for the citizens of Oxford and Lafayette County.  These goals are accomplished through a variety of avenues, including networking opportunities, seminars, events, marketing opportunities, referrals, leadership programs, or other resources available exclusively to Chamber members.

-END-

2013 CLASS PHOTO

Pictured front row, left to right:  Kelly Graeber, Monica Lebron.

Middle  row, left to right: Faye Walter, Sierra Cannon, Clayton Kelly, Kelli Jatta, RoSusan Bartee, Beth

Ziegenhorn, Demetrica Pegues, Natalie Camp, Tina Chandler, Diana Richardson.

Back  row, left to right: Justin Childress, Blake Thompson, Shane Denevan, Hunter Harrelson, Bill Gulledge, Rick Duke, Cal Bowen, Jon Maynard, William Gillis,Kate Embry, Michelle Mason, Ferriday McClatchy, Ken Parkinson, Wes Anderson, Johnny Williams, Anthony Black.

As the holiday season approaches, shopping lists grow and so do the opportunities to boost the local economy.

The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce  kicks off the holiday season with its 12^th annual Shop Oxford initiative, an effort focused on encouraging shoppers to shop local this holiday season.

“When you shop inOxford, you keep tax dollars right here at home to be invested back into the many services and improvements that make our city such a great place to live,” says Janice Antonow, City of Oxford Alderman.  “Sales tax is the largest single revenue source in the city’s budget.”

What many holiday shoppers don’t realize, or think about, is that when they travel to surrounding areas such as Tupeloand Memphisto pick up items on their shopping lists, they contribute their tax dollars to communities other than Oxford.  The goal of the Shop Oxford campaign is to inform the public about the benefits of shopping in town and keeping tax dollars local.

“It is important for folks to stay in Oxford and shop because they know where their tax dollars are going,” says Amanda Hyneman, a manager and buyer for Neilson’s Department Store. “They are also supporting their neighbors and friends, folks their kids go to school with, they go to church with and who in turn will support their businesses.”

The Chamber publishes an annual “Gift Ideas for Under $50” to show the various ideas that are available in town at a reasonable price.  The list can be found online at www.oxfordms.com or on the Shop Oxford Facebook page.

In addition to the list of holiday deals, Hyneman suggests additional reasons to shop in Oxford.  Since no traveling is involved, shopping in Oxford saves both time and gas money, she says.  Exchanges and returns are easier if the gifts are purchased in town.  And because most students go home for the holidays, traffic is light and there are more parking spaces on the Square.

In this year’s Shop Oxford campaign, the Chamber of Commerce is stressing the importance to “shop local.”  Both Hyneman and Diane Falkner, owner of Mimosa Flowers and Gifts agree that the shopping inOxford is superior.

“Oxford offers a variety of gifts for everyone,” Falkner says.  “Our city is known around North Mississippians a shopping destination.”

Hyneman says, “If you can’t find what you’re looking for in Oxford, you probably don’t need it.”

Additionally, a “Top 10 Reasons to Shop Oxford” list was compiled by local committee members, consisting of local shoppers, retailers, and business owners. The top 10 reasons to Shop Oxford this year are:

10.       Friendly, familiar faces.
9.         Relaxed shopping atmosphere.
8.         Special order possibilities.
7.         Eliminate shipping costs.
6.         Saves time.
5.         Safe environment.
4.         Individualized attention.
3.         Saves gas.
2.         Your tax dollars are benefiting your community.
1.         Even Santa knows…The Best Gifts Come from Oxford!

The Shop Oxford campaign began in 2001 when Antonow and her fellow board members recognized a problem with Oxford revenue, which decreased in 2000.  The problem had to be addressed since one third of Oxford’s revenue comes from sales tax; therefore, the Chamber of Commerce launched the first Shop Oxford campaign.  In order to continue the support of the local economy, the Chamber of Commerce encourages all members of the community to Shop Oxford this holiday season.

Shop Oxford also maintains a Facebook page (Shop Oxford) and a Twitter feed (OxfordMSChamber) which publishes daily specials at local Chamber members stores, as well as new inventory announcements, extended shopping hours, and much more.

The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce is the most dynamic business organization in our community where businesses and professionals come together to work to improve the business climate and quality of life for our area.  With over 550 members, the Chamber strives to undertake programs and projects which seek a positive business climate conducive to growth of the private enterprise system, raising per capita income and providing strong financial, physical and human resources, for the citizens of Oxford and Lafayette County.  These goals are accomplished through a variety of avenues, including networking opportunities, seminars, events, marketing opportunities, referrals, leadership programs, or other resources available exclusively to Chamber members.

Oxford, Miss.—Emerging community leaders ofOxford andLafayetteCounty once again have an opportunity to participate in the annual Leadership Lafayette program offered by the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce.

The eight-month program, beginning in January 2013, is a series of training sessions and activities, designed for emerging community leaders.  It is intended to assure the continuity of leadership in Lafayette-Oxford-University community and assist already established community leaders, who seek more effective ways to contribute to the community.  In addition to the sessions, class members will also participate in a community based project.

“LeadershipLafayetteis a great opportunity for community leaders to engage in their community through networking, education and group projects. Each session is coordinated by alumni of the program who put considerable thought into making each year the best it can be,” said Mary-Kathryn Herrington, Leadership Lafayette Program Chair and Tourism Manager for the Oxford Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The objectives of the program include identifying potential community leaders, developing individual leadership potential, acquiring knowledge about community and current issues in Lafayette County, creating dialogue and rapport among participants and current leaders, and promoting a sense of “community” through shared efforts benefiting the local community.

Each month will involve an all day session between the hours of8:15 a.m.and5 p.m.  These sessions are packed withinformation aboutOxfordandLafayetteCountyand the needs of the community. Participants will acquire knowledge about current issues that surround them, as well as focused leadership training.

Leadership Lafayetteparticipants will be selected by a steering committee on the basis of completed applications received by Friday, December 7, 2012.  Preference will be given to candidates who, in addition to their potential for leadership, would contribute to the overall diversity and strength of the class and have available time to commit to the program and future community service.  Program participation is limited to 25.  The program requires a tuition fee of $300 upon acceptance.

The 2013 Leadership Lafayette Steering Committee includes: Mary Kathryn Herrington, Oxford Convention and Visitors Bureau (Program Chair); Wayne Andrews, Yoknapatawpha Arts Council; Kenny Ferris,  OCVB; Ashley Frye, La Rousse Salon and Spa; Denson Hollis, The University of Mississippi Foundation; Gwen Knight, FNC, Inc.; Dawn Lipscomb, Baptist Memorial Hospital-NM; Torie Marion, Justice Network of Mississippi; Robert Mason,  FNC, Inc.; Susan Peterson, The University of Mississippi; Megan Prescott, City of Oxford; Kimberly Taylor, FNC, Inc.; Ryan Upshaw, The University of Mississippi; Pat Ward, The Orchard Church; and Whitney Webb, The University of Mississippi.  All steering committee members are past graduates of the program.  Pam Swain, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce, serves as the Program Administrator.

Individuals interested in the program are encouraged go to the Chamber’s website and view the application at www.oxfordms.com or call the Chamber at 662-234-4651.

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