Leadership Beaumont was recognized at Beaumont City Council with a resolution honoring the organization on the occasion of its 40th anniversary. A special lunch is scheduled for this Thursday at the MCM Elegante. Former Mayor Evelyn Lord was the spokesperson to accept the resolution.

A special meeting of the Sabine Neches Navigation District was held to present a resolution of appreciation to Congressman Ted Poe for his support of the waterway. From the time he announced his plans to run for office, the chamber has made waterway improvements our number one discussion item with Congressman Poe. He has been a great supporter and vows to continue to help.

The Advancing New Technologies at Lamar Division led by Louis Wilson and the Communications Division led by Mary Poole had their regular monthly meeting this past week.

A focus group of individuals with a background with workforce development or youth programs were convened on Thursday led by Ann Scoggin and Robert Turner. The Advancing Community Development Division is looking at developing a program of work related to the subject. Eleven experts offered their insights into what is being done and what could be done better. The next step is to expand the group and continue the dialogue to narrow a very broad subject.    

Leadership Beaumont conducted its last community awareness program of the 2012 class year on Thursday, April 5, 2012 on the topic of community development.  The program planning group, Marvin Benoit, Jonathan Castille, Michelle Gussman, Laura Kressman, Doug Landry, Jessica Prince and David Thompson, put together a volunteer fair and launched a volunteer website, volunteerbeaumont.org.  Speakers included Danielle Underferth with the Texas Trash-off,  Karyn Hawkins with the United Way, Major Floiran Estrada and Michael Perez with the Salvation Army and the Boys and Girls Club of America.  Participants in the volunteer fair were American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Club of America, Boy Scouts of America, Buckner International of Beaumont, CASA of Southeast Texas, Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas, Do the Write Thing, Family Services of Southeast Texas, Goodwill Industries of Southeast Texas, Habitat for Humanity, Harbor House Hospice, Junior League of Beaumont, Life Share Blood Center, Nutrition and Services for Seniors, Some Other Place, Texas Trash-Off, The Salvation Army and Unites Way of Beaumont.

Graduation for the 2012 class of Leadership Beaumont participants and Leadership Plus participants will be Thursday, May 3, 2012 at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas.  Also recognized at the May 3 graduation will be SETXYPO, the young professional organization for individuals 21 to 35 years of age.

We are always looking for motivated individuals to participate on the Membership committee. Please contact Dale at 838-6581 if you are interested.