AUBURN - After five years, Leadership Cayuga program director Rosemary Oaks-Lee is moving on to new challenges.
Oaks-Lee presided over her final graduating class of county leaders Wednesday evening. She leaves in August for Manlius, where her husband, the Rev. Leon Oaks-Lee, will become pastor of the First Baptist Church.
Oaks-Lee plans to tackle her new home on the same path set by Leadership Cayuga, a program in which participants learn every nook and cranny of the community in which they live or work.
"I intend to look around and see who are the decision-makers, what is the history," she said.
Twenty-three members of the Leadership Cayuga Class of 2005 graduated Wednesday.
John C. Nicandri, senior vice president of Seneca Falls Savings Bank, received the 2005 Community Leadership Award at Wednesday's graduation.
"You don't have to dominate; be a leader who listens," Nicandri told the assembled graduates. "Be passionate and stay the course."
Leadership Cayuga participants travel throughout the county learning about various agencies, employers and organizations. Some stops for this class were Nucor Steel Auburn Inc., Wells College, Auburn City Hall, Auburn High School, the Cato Recreational Center, Unity House, Willard Chapel and Auburn Correctional Facility.
"I gained a greater appreciation for what we have here," said Kim Emperato, office administrator with Cuddy Financial Services. "I made some excellent friendships, too."
Networking is part of the goal of the program, run through the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce. Participants also complete a project tied to a community issue.
Caitlin Tarver, a senior at Auburn High School, participated in a project that made recommendations to the county Legislature on how it should seek public involvement for a referendum on hiring a county manager.
"It was really hands-on," Tarver said. "It was one of my first experiences working in a meeting-style to make decisions."
Sue MacDavitt, assistant manager at Tompkins Trust Co., studied the impact of having two correctional facilities in the area.
Touring the prison, she said, was a "once-in-a-lifetime chance that most people won't get, unless they do something bad that lands them in there."
MacDavitt said the tours opened her eyes to what there is in the area.
"They brought us everywhere from Owasco Lake to Wells College," she said.
"You get so used to being in your own circle, and this let us really spread out. Even if you think you know everything, you don't."
Oaks-Lee plans to tackle her new home on the same path set by Leadership Cayuga, a program in which participants learn every nook and cranny of the community in which they live or work.
"I intend to look around and see who are the decision-makers, what is the history," she said.
Twenty-three members of the Leadership Cayuga Class of 2005 graduated Wednesday.
John C. Nicandri, senior vice president of Seneca Falls Savings Bank, received the 2005 Community Leadership Award at Wednesday's graduation.
"You don't have to dominate; be a leader who listens," Nicandri told the assembled graduates. "Be passionate and stay the course."
Leadership Cayuga participants travel throughout the county learning about various agencies, employers and organizations. Some stops for this class were Nucor Steel Auburn Inc., Wells College, Auburn City Hall, Auburn High School, the Cato Recreational Center, Unity House, Willard Chapel and Auburn Correctional Facility.
"I gained a greater appreciation for what we have here," said Kim Emperato, office administrator with Cuddy Financial Services. "I made some excellent friendships, too."
Networking is part of the goal of the program, run through the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce. Participants also complete a project tied to a community issue.
Caitlin Tarver, a senior at Auburn High School, participated in a project that made recommendations to the county Legislature on how it should seek public involvement for a referendum on hiring a county manager.
"It was really hands-on," Tarver said. "It was one of my first experiences working in a meeting-style to make decisions."
Sue MacDavitt, assistant manager at Tompkins Trust Co., studied the impact of having two correctional facilities in the area.
Touring the prison, she said, was a "once-in-a-lifetime chance that most people won't get, unless they do something bad that lands them in there."
MacDavitt said the tours opened her eyes to what there is in the area.
"They brought us everywhere from Owasco Lake to Wells College," she said.
"You get so used to being in your own circle, and this let us really spread out. Even if you think you know everything, you don't."
The Citizens' Say
There are No comments posted.