Special offer

My Graduation From Leadership Orange

By
Real Estate Agent with Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty
Last night I graduated as a member of the Leadership Orange Class of 2008 "The Class of Change"  

The graduation was held in a mansion on the hill at Club Onteroga in Goshen NY.
  

I want to congratulate all of the members of my class and thank them for taking the journey with me.  Thanks to all the staff, Board of Directors, and planning committees.  

I signed up for the program last year about this time at the urging of many in my brokerage who have gone through the program before.  I had no idea what I was in for in this ten month program that highlights various aspects of life in Orange County. We have visited many locations around the county and I learned so much about the place that I live and work in.  It has been well worth the one day a month for the sessions.  Our class was the 15th to go through the program and as graduates we join an alumni base of more than 400.  We completed a class project of producing a journal that highlighted 15 leaders from the county that represented some of the best the county has to offer.  We raised over $20000 and donated the funds to 15 not-for-profits in the county.  We also participated in 15 public service projects.  We had a blast and learned a lot

The mission statement of Leadership Orange is:
  • To identify current and emerging leaders and provide them with knowledge and skills to foster vision, revitalization, transformation and strengthening of our communities and the County as a whole.
  • To inspire them to be catalysts for positive change, now and for the future.
  • To motivate them to become active participants in the civic life of the County, working cooperatively to solve County problems in order to improve the quality of life in our communities.
Philadelphia developed the first leadership program in 1959 and there are over 500 organizations in the United States. If there is a Leadership Program where you are I urge you to check it out.  If not why not be a Leader and get one going?     

Comments(14)

Barbara Carter
Century 21 Alliance Realty Group - Highland, NY
Serving Your Real Estate Needs in the Hudson Valle

Congratulations Paddy! What a great program to become involved in.

Jun 21, 2008 12:34 AM
Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY
Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

Hi Barbara I don't know if Ulster has one but if they do you should go.  It was great!

Jun 21, 2008 12:37 AM
C Tann-Starr
Tann Starr & Associates, Inc. - Palm Bay, FL

Wow-- that is so cool! Congrats Paddy!

Jun 21, 2008 01:25 AM
Barbara Carter
Century 21 Alliance Realty Group - Highland, NY
Serving Your Real Estate Needs in the Hudson Valle

Paddy- I checked Ulster does have it- I may do that! Thanks

Jun 21, 2008 01:26 AM
Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY
Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

Thanks Carolyn Hope to see you later

You should do it Barbara It was worth it for sure.

Jun 21, 2008 03:20 AM
Susan Jackowski
Lake Norman NC - Mooresville, NC
Lake Norman NC & Hudson Valley NY

Congratulations Paddy! Something else to add to your resume and a wealth of information for your clients!

Jun 21, 2008 05:30 AM
Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY
Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

Thanks Sue J. I think it will help with clients and just in my everyday life.  I know a lot now that I did not know before the program. 

Jun 21, 2008 10:56 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Paddy, I have never heard of the program but it sounds wonderful....A huge congratulations to you, that's a wonderful accomplishment that sets you apart from others.

Jun 21, 2008 12:45 PM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Cool! I did not know of such an organization. Sounds like a real worth while program. Congratulations.

Jun 21, 2008 09:47 PM
Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY
Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

Hi Carole Thanks for the comment.  There is a program in Huntington and possibly other areas on LI You sould check it out! I found this on /google www.leadershiphuntington.org,

Good morning Michael and thanks you.  There is also a Nashville program www.leadershipnashville.org

Jun 21, 2008 11:15 PM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Paddy - Congratulation.  Sounds like it was a great program and I suspect you had the opportunity to get to know the county better and also network.

Jun 21, 2008 11:39 PM
Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY
Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

Yes I did Jennifer.  I met a lot of the movers and shakers of the county and now have access to them through the group of alumni.  Our class won a fund raising challenge set forth by Ulster and Duchess Leadership.  The trophy will stay with us this year but the next year it is up for grabs.  You should check out the program by you. 

Jun 22, 2008 12:13 AM
* Rate A Home
Rate A Home - Saugatuck, MI

Paddy, Congrats, sounds like a positive move, and you know where I stand on positivity! Kudos to you.

Jun 22, 2008 05:08 PM
Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY
Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

Thanks Duane.  I try:) 

Jun 22, 2008 10:02 PM