MRS. BEVERLY LEWIS SHARES HER KEYS TO VISIONARY LEADERSHIP - October 12, 2010

 Colby Peel, Chairman of the Chipley Kiwanis Club’s Marvin Engram Memorial Golf Tournament reported that ten teams have registered so far for this year’s tournament.  He stated that there is still time for more teams to register. The date for the 3 Person Team Golf Scramble is Saturday, November 6, 2010. The tournament will be held at Sunny Hills Golf Club, and there will be a shotgun start at 8:00 a.m. Registration is $150.00 per team or $50.00 per person. He also stated that hole sponsorship’s are available. For more information on registration or hole sponsorships call (850) 258-6290.

David Solger, Chairman of the Chipley Kiwanis Club Annual Fruit Sales, reported that orders are now being accepted. Orders will be delivered at the second week of December. These make wonderful holiday gifts. For more information check the web link www.chipleykiwanis.com or ask any Chipley Kiwanis Club member.

 The club’s guest speaker was Beverly Lewis. Mrs. Lewis is an Executive Trainer and President of her company, Life Point. Mrs. Lewis has lived in Washington County for the past 10 years. She grew up in Sarasota, Florida, she went to college in Gainesville, and spent close to twenty years working in Tallahassee. She describes herself as a business and life coach. Her presentation was on the subject of visionary leadership. She stated that recently she had the opportunity to join a group to study the tropic rain forest in Central America. She learned that the rain forest is the most productive

 ecosystem on the planet. The productivity was not due to the soils, but the abundance of light, heat and moisture. The cyclical characteristics of nature were very pronounced. She felt that the current economy was very similar to natural cycles. She believes that the start-up of small business will be the lead to a sustained economic recovery. While she majored in ornamental agriculture in college, she has owned several businesses. She stated that the more agile a business is and includes visionary leadership the high rate of success that business will have consists. She stated that “Visionary Leadership” consists of five components:

          1.  crafting a business statement

          2.  building a culture for your business

          3.  encourage team building

          4.  develop “edge-craft”

          5.  action

Mrs. Lewis stated that your must develop a business statement that needs to communicate what your business does in 30 seconds. Your business statement should be clear and full of passion. Mrs. Lewis’ business statement is “I work with business leaders and entrepreneurs to take the “dis” out of dysfunctional businesses and put “fun” back into functional productivity.”

 By building a culture for your business you are setting a tone for productivity. What is acceptable dress, what can be displayed in the work area? You need to develop an atmosphere of safety, satisfaction, and joy. The work force is devising these qualities.

 Working together to create a culture of trust,  respect, and enhance communication. With these attributes, a sense of accomplishment is achieved.

 Being receptive to innovation, all opportunities are waiting to happen. After a downturn, innovations are rewarded with success. She encourages you to create your own message. She said that you set the example by the way you work. Action is the key to create an atmosphere of team work and through action you achieve productivity.

 The Kiwanis Club of Chipley has been providing support to youth oriented events and programs for 70 years and last year supported 31 organizations throughout the county.  The club meets Tuesdays at Pattillo’s Restaurant in the middle of the Washington-Holmes County Technical Center (WHTC) at Noon.   For an invitation to lunch, contact any Kiwanian or call David Solger, Membership Chairperson, at (850) 638-1276.  Kiwanis will be conducting its traditional holiday fruit sale in November and December.