ESCANABA — The call for applications for the 2020 Delta Force Leadership begins now!

Delta Force is entering its 19th year and has added value to those who participate as well as to those around them. Delta Force graduates are exposed to the inner workings of our community, to the decision-making processes involved in leadership, and to the resources around them. They also develop a foundation of the principles of boards, teamwork, and the values, actions and responsibilities that go along with leadership.

Rather than attempting to identify all the reasons why Delta Force is important, let me simply share the thoughts of 2019 participant, Hillary Ebbesen, Peninsula Federal Credit Union, and her impression of the program.

“When asked to give a testimonial about my experience with Delta Force, one consistent word began to stick out more than anything else and that is in fact; experience. What an experience this was. What a privilege to have had this experience. What an eye-opening experience. How wonderful it is to now have this new experience and knowledge to be able to share.

“I have found that my opinions about Delta County are a lot like political elections… many people say if you don’t vote, you can’t be opinionated in the matter. My opinions within Delta County about a variety of things either right, or wrong were not validated until I became educated in Delta Force. The opportunity to get an inside look into so many different categories was a wake-up call as to how much I did NOT know. It sparked a lot of new-found passions and cleared up a lot of unanswered questions I didn’t even know I had.

I am so thankful for people within this community that have devised this program and have fine-tuned each small detail of every day. Their passion to share about our community is quite literally changing the future for Delta County. Knowledge is power and I know I will be taking the new education I’ve received within Delta Force with me forever.

“To see collectively each moving part and to feel the passion in each and every person we met along the way is at the very least; encouraging. Delta County is home for many of us and I’m not sure that there is a better feeling than knowing the amount of commitment, dedication, and drive to make Delta County so wonderful comes from the very people who live here.

I will cherish my Delta Force experience and encourage anyone who has involvement within Delta County to be a part of this amazing program. These past eight months have truly given me a new outlook and an overwhelming amount of respect for everyone involved in Delta Force, in Delta County and the organizations that make it so great.”

Thanks, Hillary, for describing perfectly the experience facilitators hoped to create for Delta Force Participants.

We all benefit from trained and enthusiastic leadership in our community, so please consider sending valued employees or members of public boards or commissions to the program that begins in mid February. Contact the Commerce Center at 786-2192 for additional information about Delta Force.

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Vickie Micheau is the executive director of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce