Leadership group launches its 23rd annual program year

GILFORD — Leadership Lakes Region, the non-profit professional development organization, recently launched its 23rd annual Program Year. The event, Orientation Day, took place at Gunstock where the 25 class members from 14 area towns were briefed on the organization’s purpose and procedures over a catered breakfast.

Welcoming the group were Tom Day, Gunstock general manager, and former GM Greg Goddard now of the Leadership Lakes board. Goddard and fellow graduates Paula Glaude, Rachel Templar and Jennifer Kelley planned the day’s program with Coordinator, Jennifer McLean. Leadership guest speakers included Danielle Cyr, Marketing Manager for NHIS and Chief Anthony Bean Burpee of the Gilford Police Department. Both speakers are Leadership Lakes’ graduates with Bean Burpee also serving on the Board.

Scheduled activities for the new class were Zip Lining, Aerial Treetop Adventures and a walking history tour of Gunstock. Post-luncheon guest speakers were Warren Bailey, popular radio and media icon of the Lakes Region and the “founding father” of what has become the highly successful holiday Childrens’ Auction and Allan Beetle, co-owner of Patrick’s Pub which has been a financial mainstay of the Auction for many years. Their topic for the class was “giving back” and how one or two individuals, armed with a positive, caring idea can change an area, a town or an organization as they have done, with support from throughout the Lakes Region and beyond, for the Lakes Region’s children. This Orientation Day, sponsored by Gunstock, allowed the new class to bond and get to know one another; a critical component of the success Leadership Lakes Region has enjoyed since 1998.