Governor Bredesen Addresses Leadership Chattanooga
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Members of Leadership Chattanooga, a leadership development program sponsored by the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, had lunch with Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen as part of a two-day trip to Nashville in March. Governor Bredesen addressed the class and answered questions on topics ranging from TennCare to children’s services. Thirty members of the 2005 Leadership Chattanooga class were joined by Leadership Knoxville for the luncheon in which Governor Bredesen asked for each class member’s help in making Tennessee a better place. "As Governor, I need the intelligence and drive and dedication of each and every one of you if we’re going to leave Tennessee a better place for the next generation," he said. |
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Following the address in the Hermitage Hotel, Bredesen responded to questions on local and state-level concerns and spoke about the importance of leaders in every community. "The community should push the government," he said, "not the other way around."
Bredesen also discussed the qualities of leadership among individuals and praised the class participants for their dedication to leadership in their communities. "You earn your money from 9 to 5; leadership is accomplished in your other time," he said.
While in the capital city the Leadership Chattanooga class also had the opportunity to discuss issues with the Hamilton County legislative delegation, Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell, the speakers of the House and Senate, and officials for TennCare and Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development.
Diane Parks, Chamber director of leadership and community development, said it is important to include the Nashville trip in the class curriculum because of the insight it provides. "Giving class participants the chance to visit the capitol helps them gain a better understanding of how legislation on the state level affects local issues," she said. "It also encourages the future leaders to get more involved in issues that are important to them and their communities."
