Southwest Community Leadership Program
“Every thriving community has great leaders. In order for Grove City to continue to be a family and business-oriented community, we need to continue growing great leaders.”
- Mayor “Ike” Stage, City of Grove City
In 1997, The Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce developed the concept of a leadership program for the Southwest Community that would help identify and equip emerging leaders for service roles in the community.
Hundreds of individuals have completed this program, where they acquired the skills and knowledge to serve as strong community leaders. Lasting relationships have also been forged and serve as building blocks for our community.
Program Goals
- To learn about the needs, processes, issues, and opportunities of community organizations and institutions.
- To introduce leadership styles and skills needed in different organizations.
- To stimulate a higher level of interest in community affairs
- To create an environment for positive team interaction to work toward a common goal
Areas of Focus
Community involvement, education, team building, history of Grove City, ethics, government issues and processes, leadership styles and skills.
Program Candidates
Participants come from all walks of life and represent the diversity of professions, ethnicities, ages, interests, and experiences of our community. Participants should be interested in and motivated to serve their community, such as leading within their own organization or serving the greater community.
Leadership Skills
In our leadership program, participants unite to plan and execute impactful community service projects that address specific needs within our community. This hands-on experience not only allows participants to make a tangible difference but also fosters essential skills in communication, collaboration, and team building.
As they work together toward a common goal, they gain invaluable insights that will serve them in their current and future leadership roles. By engaging in meaningful projects, participants learn the power of teamwork and develop a deeper understanding of their community's needs, all while building lasting connections with their peers.
Program Requirements
- Complete an application and pay the tuition fee prior to the start of class; $350 for GCACC members, and $450 for non-members.
- Participants are expected to attend all monthly class sessions from October through June. Classes are held the third Thursday of the month, 6:30-9 p.m. at various community locations. Dinners are provided.
- Participate in a group community service project chosen by class participants and organized both inside and outside of class. Once the project is completed a synopsis is due with a brief description of the project, pictures, budget, etc.
Founding Organizations & Individuals
Grove City Administration
Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce
Grove City Area Visitors & Convention Bureau
Jackson Township Fire Department
Scott McComb Family
Sherol Saxton Mulligan
Stan & Lynn Smith
South-Western City School District
Southwest Public Libraries
Past Participating Businesses & Organizations
Air Quality Solutions
City of Grove City
CrossLink Community Church
Cutler Real Estate
Donato's Pizza
Fifth Third Bank
Fisher & Douglas, LLP
Franklin County Banking Center
Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce
Grove City Convention and Visitors Bureau
Grove City Family Dentistry
Grove City Rotary
Grove City UMC/Purple Door Church
Grove City YMCA
Hannigan Memorials
Heartland Bank
Howard Hanna (Formerly HER)
Huntington Bank
Jackson Township
KeyBank
Meadow Grove Transitional Care
Monterey Rehabilitation Center, Skilled Nursing & Memory Care
Morley-Parren-Bright Insurance
Ohio Equities
OhioHealth
OIADA
Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Service
School Choice
Sound Communications
Southwest Public Libraries
South-Western City School District
Tosoh SMD, Inc.
UHCAN Ohio
Walmart
WesBanco
World of Bounce