To be successful, Marion’s first Speed Date Your Local Leaders event on April 30, 2015 will need about 80 community residents to show up and sit at the 16 tables set up for the 16 local leaders who have accepted an invitation to participate. League of Women Voters Marion, together with co-sponsor The Marion Star, has arranged for the Speed Date public meeting to take place at the Marion Senior Center, 2375 Harding Hwy East.
For the community residents who plan to participate with the local leaders in the Speed Date activities at 6:00 p.m., there is the additional treat of a 5:00 p.m. free light supper sponsored by Merrill Lynch Vincent Group that will be prepared and served by the Senior Center staff. Reservations must be made by Tuesday, April 28 at 749-389-6100 or [email protected], or visit the Center’s Transportation Desk.
The 16 community-minded Local Leaders for the Speed Date represent a mix of leadership categories as follows: Local Government – Mayor Scott Schertzer and County Commissioners Ken Stiverson (President),Andy Appelfeller, and Dan Russell; Law Enforcement – Police Chief Bill Collins and Sheriff Tim Bailey; Business – Marion Area Chamber of Commerce President Pam Hall, Merrill Lynch Vice-President, Associate Resident Director Kit Fogle, and Lois Fisher of Lois J. Fisher & Associates.
The Education Leaders will include The Ohio State University at Marion’s Director of Development and Community Relations David Claborn, Marion Technical College Vice-President Vicky Wood, Tri-Rivers School Superintendent Charles Speelman, and Marion City Schools Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Lawson.
Local Agencies/Organizations will be represented by Marion Public Health Commissioner Thomas Quade, Crawford-Marion Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMH) Executive Director Jody Demo-Hodgins, Marion County Developmental Disabilities Superintendent Cheryl Plaster, Marion County Children Services Executive Director Jacqueline Ringer, and Marion County Job and Family Services/Workforce Development Director Roxane Somerlot.
When the Speed Date Activities begin at 6:00 p.m., the 16 Local Leaders will be distributed among 16 tables at which the 80 community residents will be seated. The leaders will first introduce themselves, and then conduct an informal conversation with table mates and answer their questions for 7 minutes When a bell rings, the leaders will rotate to the next table for their next 7 minute Speed Date (the table mates do not move). Host Jeff Ruth of WMRN will keep the 7 Minute Speed Dates moving along. By evening’s end at 8:00 p.m., each leader will have met with all 16 tables.
Speed Date Your Local Leaders provides an informal, very short duration opportunity for local leaders to meet face-to-face with the community residents. Communities that host a Speed Date have found it to be quite popular and helpful to promoting good relationships and understanding between community leaders and residents.
For more information about Marion’s Speed Date event, contact Jo Ann R-Zimmerman at 740-389-5795 or <[email protected]>
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