Flagler County Chamber of Commerce - Happenings


Latissa Richardson Flagler County Chamber Leadership Flagler XVI

SESSION 1: SIMSOC
March 1, 2008

Participating in the SIMSOC on Saturday was definitely an experience that I will never forget. I walked away with only a smear of an insight about what it takes to keep a society running and functioning smoothly. I know that I didn’t even see the “main part” or “tip of the iceberg” as they say, but just in the little experience I had, I learned that those in charge of our communities and such really have a HUGE responsibility.

Of course I knew that a community was made up of different classes, however, it is amazing to see how everyone living in the same community/society experiences it in so many different ways merely based on their social class.

Every ‘positive’ choice made by our community leaders for one thing always has a ‘negative’ effect on something or someone else. Its all about balance and that is where the hard part begins.


Raven Sword Rice & Rose Law Leadership Flagler XVI

SESSION 1: SIMSOC
March 1, 2008

SIMSOC was a great experience for me although I found myself in the disenfranchised group. I was really excited about the society after reading the accompanying materials. Many of the themes discussed in the materials, i.e. declining civic involvement, trust, and bureaucracy, resonate today, especially in light of this exciting election season.

I had all these ideas of how we could make this society work for each group. Boy, was I was ready! Little did I know that our "society" wasn't quite ready for me nor did I anticipate that I would be apart of a group that did not have access to any resources. It did not even dawn on me that there would be such a group. My group really wanted to participate and be productive and be a part of the society. From our perspective, the other groups did not do enough to help us reach that objective. It was also really interesting how other members of the society perceived my group.

Unfortunately, all my motivation to achieve dissipated as the day progressed. However, my group really bonded. We kept a team first mentality, perhaps to our detriment. One of our members did leave and he jumped two socio-economic class levels.
If there was just one thing that was reaffirmed for me was that all the good intentions in the world do not always work. Each part of the hand has to do its job to make the whole hand work.


Cyril Stubbs Abundant Life Ministries Leadership Flagler XVI

SESSION 2: County Economics
March 5, 2008

The County Economics Session was very informative and enlightening. It provided me with an opportunity to gain a better understanding of our county government and some of its processes. Also, I was able to meet and interact with some of our community leaders who provided me with some invaluable information. In addition, being able to hear and understand the areas of concern Flagler County faces was paramount. Concerns such as local taxes, spending of tax payer’s dollars, industrial and economic Development, homeowner and property tax issues, allowed me to visualize that we must concretively seek opportunities for the continuance of growth and development in our community.

I believe that should leaders and citizens resolve to an ideology that is able to provide a increased level of quality living for all citizens we can be a community that will be a model for others to emulate.


Lorie Bernhard Boy Scouts of America Leadership Flagler XVI

SESSION 2: County Economics
March 5, 2008

This week’s session on Economic Development provided a great deal of information about our community’s businesses. We heard from the Center for Business Excellence, Enterprise Flagler, Enterprise Flagler International Committee and the City of Palm Coast. Each organization provides great resources to our residents as well as companies. The impact that each group has on maintaining and bringing in new businesses to our county is amazing.

We learned about The One Stop Career Center and its services that they provide to residents looking for jobs and companies looking to hire. The upcoming Trade Missions scheduled will help to grow our current businesses by giving them opportunities to build relationships with other countries that could use their services. The many new businesses opening at the Town Center and goals for bringing new companies and people to the county will keep Flagler as one of the top counties for growth in the nation. It was great to see how each entity within Flagler work together and depend on each other to make all of these positive changes.

We also had the opportunity to tour two of the county’s largest employers and learn more about how they influence the area. Both Palm Coast Data and Sea Ray Boats provide many jobs to our residents and are looking to add many more employees over the next several months. Profitable, growing companies like these add value to our community and keep it strong.

With each session that I attend through Leadership Flagler is it clear that our community is unified and will continue to grow.


Cyril Stubbs Abundant Life Ministries Leadership Flagler XVI

SESSION 6: Ropes Course
March 29, 2008

Successful team building events in the field should also be reflective in the office. For those participants of Leadership Flagler XVI, the Camp Winona Ropes Course provided an opportunity to experience growth as a team and individual levels, exploring risk, leadership, communication, problem-solving, and coaching. The challenges called upon every member of the team to participate, and presented unending opportunities for self-discovery and team growth.
The High Ropes Course emphasized risk-taking, trust, and coaching. The challenges allowed us to expand our comfort zones and recognize fears that may block our personal achievements. Each moment was rich with new discoveries about ourselves and each other.
Overall, this course provided me an opportunity to develop a greater compassion, understanding and appreciation for the performance, strengths and limitations of others.

Jim Wolverton
Chiumento & Guntharp, P.A.
Leadership Flagler XVI

SESSION 7: Arts & Culture
April 2, 2008

The role of art in a community was highlighted by local artists, actors, and non-profits. Flagler County has many passionate artists and others who are looking to ensure artists have a venue to share their creativity. Presently the Flagler Playhouse in Bunnell has a full schedule of musicals and the Flagler Auditorium presents traveling shows as they tour the area. Local non-profits are fundraising to construct new places for artists where they will not only be able to display art but will be able to create art in a multi-use center. Another focus of the artists in the area is keeping the youth involved and programs funded in the local schools. There are many options for community artists now and for years to come.

“Art is Art. Everything else is everything else.” - Ad Reinhardt