Community Leadership Workshop 2010

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leadership_workshopThe Federation of Balkan American Association’s "Community Leadership Workshop 2010" at Holiday Inn Hotel in   Somerset, New Jersey has   concluded and will be remembered as a success by those who attended. Held between December 24th and 25th, the event drew students and young professionals from across the Northeast, representing fields of interest ranging from culture and sport to media and governance.

The opening sessions served to welcome the attendees and provide a general overview of the weekend’s offerings and activities. The attendees then separated and filed into distinct break-out sessions dedicated to their specific areas of interest.  Each break-out session allowed the participants to meet and share information and strategies with others in their field.  This included a number of experienced professionals representing each field of interest who were on hand to provide practical advice on how to utilize one’s talents and drives to their utmost, not only to pursue one’s own professional development and success, but also to empower each attendee with the knowledge needed to return to their home community and help organize others and assist in creating opportunities for the flourishing of our Balkan American communities.

At the conclusion of the first day’s events, a party was held in a main conference hall, replete with DJ’ed music, refreshments and traditional Balkan folk circle dancing. The following day continued with brainstorming break-out sessions, where participants were engaged to offer their own ideas and suggestions. This brainstorming lead to each group devising a plan of action for their home community, and culminated in each group offering a presentation outlining their plans for organizing their communities around one or more projects for 2011.  Following the presentations, a certificate awarding ceremony was held, and group photos were taken.  Attendees left the conference in high spirits, encouraged and inspired to pursue ever-higher heights of aspiration and achievement in the new year.