The Greater Cheraw Chamber of Commerce will be holding its 2011-2012 Leadership Cheraw class starting next month. The class will meet the second Wednesday of each month from through May 2012. There will be a social hour for all class participants on Sept. 13.

Leadership Cheraw is an exciting class for present and future leaders in the Cheraw area and has enjoyed two extremely successful years. The first leadership class started in 2009 and the group took on a project to organize the first All That JazzCriterium Bike Race in Cheraw. The race has been a tremendously successful event for two consecutive years. The 2010-2011 class conducted a feasibility study for a small business incubator in the Cheraw/Chesterfield County region. The class presented its findings at a Chamber Lunch & Learn session in May.

The Chamber will be limiting seating to 20 participants, tuition for the class is $350 for Chamber members and $500 for non-members. Participants will explore topics that include are history/tourism, health care, social issues, economic development, education, city/county government, and natural resources/agribusiness.

Dr. Ron Bartley, NETC President, is working with the program and states he is pleased with the previous leadership groups.

According to Bartley, “The two classes have been actively involved in exploring various aspects of the community and how they can work to make the community a better place. Participants told us they learned a lot about the community and the resources available to the citizens of Cheraw and surrounding area. Their excitement has been contagious and we now see past participants in leadership roles in civic clubs, businesses, schools, and other roles in the community. I look forward to having another exciting class and finding out what they want to take on as a project to make like better in our town!”

Business/industries are encouraged to place employees in this exciting class. Individuals also may self-nominate. Applications are available at the Greater Cheraw Chamber of Commerce office. More information is available by calling the Chamber office at (843) 537-7681 or by sending an email request to cherawchamber@bell south.net

All applications must be received in the Chamber office by Aug.15 for initial consideration.