Three members of Carroll EMC’s leadership team, Kim Billings, Kelly Jimenez and Taylor Key, graduated from Georgia EMC’s inaugural Co-ops Lead program designed to equip participants with the necessary tools and knowledge to become more effective leaders within their electric co-ops and local communities.
A demonstration of the cooperative difference and principle number five, education, training and information, the four-month Co-ops Lead program allowed participants to enhance their leadership skills by identifying their personal strengths, learn best practices for community engagement and planning, and develop techniques to market the community for economic growth.
“Electric co-ops that offer community involvement opportunities and contribute to local causes have a competitive edge when it comes to employee recruitment and retention, as well as economic development,” said Dennis Chastain, President and CEO of Georgia EMC. “Programs like Co-ops Lead help ensure cooperatives have a pipeline of employees who understand the fundamentals and importance of community development to grow successful communities for many years to come.”
In addition to the curriculum, Co-ops Lead gave participants the opportunity to network with fellow EMC leaders from other cooperatives in Georgia. Together, they discussed and shared solutions for common community issues and identified mutually beneficial ways cooperatives can collaborate with their local communities.
Graduates from this year’s program consisted of 20 participants from 11 electric cooperatives across Georgia. At their graduation ceremony held in May, each participant delivered a presentation showing how they plan to build on the knowledge they gained in Co-ops Lead in their own EMC and community.
“I am honored to be a part of the first cohort of Co-ops Lead,” said Kim Billing, Manager of Member Services for Carroll EMC. “It has equipped me with confidence and vision to lead with purpose and make a meaningful impact in my community using my unique combination of strengths.”