Leadership Morris Leads on Despite COVID

Excerpts from an article by Christopher Reardon; Reardon Communications Group, with Dr. Joe Nazzaro, Executive Director Leadership Morris     
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Leadership Morris has restarted after nearly a year of suspension due to COVID-19. The Class of ’20 started activities in February 2020 but the program was suspended when COVID hit and all in-person activities were put on hold. The Class of 2021 started with 32 participants. Ten deferred to join the 2022 program but the rest opted for the virtual experience.

The class restarted in late February and completed virtual visits with Morris County Administrator John Bonnani, County Commissioners Steve Shaw and Deborah Smith and County Clerk Ann Grossi for their County Government session; Kasey Errico, director of the Morris County Department of Human Services, Maria Vinci Savatierre, director of the nonprofit Diedre’s House, and Joanne Bjornson, director and CEO of the nonprofit Family Promise of Morris County, for the Human Needs and Services session; and acting Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll and Sheriff James Gannon for Criminal Justice Day. For Media Day, JCP&L’s Chris Hoenig hosted a media panel consisting of Mike Shapiro, owner CEO of TAPinto, Dave Willis, Business Writer/Columnist Asbury Park Press; and Dan Alexander, Digital News Manager Townsquare Media (NJ 101.5FM) following a stirring keynote address from Professor John Soltes of CCM. Healthcare day is planned for June 16th with virtual visits to both area hospitals. Bonus sessions in Leadership theory and practice are also being offered to the class.

While one of the primary goals of Leadership Morris, the building of camaraderie among classmates, has been difficult to achieve remotely, Joseph Nazzaro, the program director, said they are working to overcome the Zoom barrier.

“I’ve encouraged the class to join one another in small teams,” he said. “The goal is to deliver content now and then follow up on the camaraderie in subsequent events once the environment allows.”
For example, Class of ’20 – now ’21 – members will be allowed to join the Class of ’22 next year to enjoy the on-site interaction that is missing from the Zoom sessions. In addition, the Leadership Morris Alumni Association has been active in an attempt to remain engaged. They teamed with Cerbo Parsippany Greenhouses to support Cerbo’s Trees for Troops program this past holiday season, held a virtual comedy night and are planning a golf outing.   ​