The Community Education Center’s Leadership Elk and Cameron program (LEC) recently completed a session on Communications. The class was graciously hosted at the Elk County Emergency Services center in Ridgway. Participants practiced public speaking and interpersonal communication skills. Local author, artist and advocate John Schlimm shared numerous examples of creative communications and advocacy including the upcoming collaborative 988 Coin project with St. Marys Area Dutch Manufacturing students and the Elk/Cameron Suicide Prevention Task Force and his decade-long project, THE SMILE THAT CHANGED THE WORLD (is yours).
Participants also toured the 911 center and learned about emergency communications from the dispatchers and other 911 staff. One participant reflected “The 911 center is very impressive. It made me more aware of the real heroes behind the line!” The day finished up with a trip to Laurel Media, home of the Hound 97.5, WKBI-FM and WKBI-AM. JJ Michaels shared insights on how drastically the radio industry has changed over the decades.
This year’s participant sponsors include: Big Maple Farms Natural Therapies, Cameron County, CNB Bank, Commonwealth of PA/Dept. of Labor and Industry, CEC of Elk and Cameron, Dickinson Center, Elk County Community Foundation, Elk County Heat Treaters, Elk County Housing Authority, Emporium Foundation, Equus Workforce Solutions, Mersen, Ridgway and Johnsonburg Boroughs, and St. Marys Area School District.
For more information or to get involved in future Leadership Elk and Cameron sessions, please contact the CEC (814) 781-3437.
Photo attached: LEC Participants and John Schlimm on tour with the 911 dispatchers.