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By AARON NICODEMUS, Standard-Times staff writer A new non-profit group is being created to develop new leaders in SouthCoast. Leadership SouthCoast was launched last week by 30 business leaders and the chambers of commerce in New Bedford and Fall River. The program will "encourage emerging leaders from all different backgrounds to join together and broaden their understanding of the impact of their decisions on the SouthCoast and its future," according to a release. Mary Lynn D. Lenz, president and Chief Executive Officer of Slade's Ferry Bank, is chairman of the group's steering committee, and Slade's Ferry Bank is a corporate founder. Ms. Lenz participated in Leadership Buffalo a number of years ago. "It's an exchange of ideas," said Ms. Lenz. People who enroll will leave "better informed about how I can make a contribution to the community." She said her class in Leadership Buffalo helped build a groundswell of support with the city of Niagara for a new airport that served both cities. Ms. Lenz said that in her brief tenure in the SouthCoast, she has seen many of the same people in leadership positions throughout the region. "If we want to continue to attract new business, we need to cultivate these new leaders," she said. The new organization is teaming up with UMass Dartmouth's Office of Professional and Continuing Education, which will be the group's offices. Antone C. Vieira Jr., executive director of UMD's Office of Professional and Continuing Education, said Leadership SouthCoast will have several practical purposes. The program will get business leaders from Fall River and New Bedford talking to each other, in the hope of breaking down competition between the two cities. "We're hoping they will see one another as one big SouthCoast family," Mr. Vieira said. James W. Litsey, an attorney with PS & H in New Bedford, was a participant in Leadership Rhode Island. Among the things participants in Leadership Rhode Island did were a ride-along with police over the night shift, he said, and visiting the Rhode Island Legislature to learn how Legislature drafts bills and enacts laws. "It will give existing business and community leaders a fresh perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing their communities," he said. Leadership SouthCoast will serve the communities along the coast of Massachusetts, starting with Swansea and Somerset and then east through to Wareham, including Freetown and Lakeville. Applications are available on line at leadershipsouthcoast.org or by contacting Nancy Vanasse at (508) 999-8778 or Dr. Vieira at (508) 999-8744. This story appeared on Page A5 of The Standard-Times on May 16, 2004. <=== back a page / back to top |