"from left to right, Jeri Armstrong, Chair of YPG and Recreation Supervisor with PVRPD, Dr. Wm. Gregory Sawyer, VP of Student Affairs and Dean of Students at CSU Channel Islands, Chris Thomas, formal NFL Super Bowl winner, and Fernando Mora, Sage Network, Inc."

Practice, practice, practice was one of the many gems shared by Dr. Wm. Gregory Sawyer, VP of Student Affairs and Dean of Students at CSU Channel Islands, at the first ever Chamber Leadership Development Seminar held on Jan. 14 at the Hampton Inn & Suites. Presented by the Chamber Young Professionals Group, this event kicked off the first in a series of semi-annual leadership and professional development seminars scheduled through the Camarillo Chamber.

Dr. Sawyer kicked off the event speaking on the topic of "Making effective business presentations to groups," which helps professionals in presenting themselves and their business, from very short presentations, such as elevator pitches and 20 seconds of fame at Business@ Breakfast, to longer sales and technical presentations.

“It is better to be prepared with no opportunity than to have an opportunity and not be prepared,” stated Dr. Sawyer. He shared three steps to being ready for any presentation; prepare, practice, and presentation (you have to bring you to the presentation).

The closing speaker was Chris Thomas, former NFL Rams Super Bowl winner and Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch. The topic was “Becoming Uncommon in a Common World” and how your perception and ideology are the driving force behind becoming invaluable to others and finding value in your endeavors.

According to Thomas, “strive to be valuable, but better yet, be invaluable. When you are invaluable, you are unforgettable and when you are unforgettable, you are indispensible to others.” Thomas went on to say, “your perception and attitude will shape the quality and depth of your endeavors in life, both personally and professionally.”

There was an opportunity for networking and immediately after the seminar, all attendees were invited to a complimentary mixer hosted by Johnny Rockets of Camarillo.

The next seminar is scheduled for October 2010. Look for more details to come.