Learn what Goochland is all about

 

An exquisite finish to the GLE dinner with Supervisors prepared by the GHS Culinary Arts Students

Goochland Leadership Enterprise, GLE, began educating citizens about the county 30 years ago. In the intervening decades, hundreds of Goochlanders have participated in the program gaining deep insight about the workings of local government, and how to get involved with organizations that build and enrich the community. Some graduates have gone on to hold elected and appointed offices, many have and do fill leadership roles in community organizations, while others are informed citizens.

Interacting with people from all walks of life and all parts of the county that they might not otherwise encounter gives GLE participants perspective on Goochland as a whole, not just their individual “flight paths”. It also dispels incorrect preconceived notions.

Matthew Wenzel, who recently succeeded Pete Williams as GLE Planning Committee Chair, first learned about GLE after moving here in 2017, but his travel schedule made participation difficult at that time. Early encounters with “official” Goochland, which Wenzel and his wife found welcoming compared to Henrico, made him want to learn more about the place he now called home.

He signed up for the 23^rd class, which formed as the world crawled out of the pandemic, with neighbors, who carpooled to classes and had lively discussions about the sessions on the way home.

After completing GLE, Wenzel and fellow class members met with Williams to discuss ways to enhance the program. According to Wenzel, Williams’ superpower is his ability to listen and implement constructive feedback. This led to Wenzel’s increased involvement in planning GLE sessions and succeeding Williams.

The next class, the 28^th, is forming and kicks off on October 14 with orientation, a pictorial tour of the county, and its history.  The program consists of twelve classes, held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at various locations around the county. GLE graduates, some relative newcomers, others lifelong residents, lead and organize sessions.

Topics include Goochland history; fire-rescue; Constitutional Officers; education; agriculture and natural resources; ways to get involved with local organizations; dinner with the Board of Supervisors catered by the Goochland High School Culinary Arts Department; meeting with our delegation to the state legislature in Richmond; and a graduation dinner. It’s not too late to join.

Go to https://goochland.ext.vt.edu/get-involved.html for the brochure and application. Follow Goochland Leadership Enterprise on Facebook.