The Camden Partnership: A Study in Synergy
"When properly understood, synergy is the highest activity of all life. It catalyzes, unifies and unleashes the greatest powers in people." Dr. Stephen R. Covey
Stephen Covey, internationally respected leadership authority, teacher, organizational consultant and author of the 15-million-copy bestseller, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, defines synergy as "the ability of two or more people to create a whole that is greater than the sum of the parts." "The relationship which the parts [of an organization or a community, for example] have to each other is a part in and of itself," says Dr. Covey. "It is not only a part, but the most catalytic, the most empowering, the most unifying, and the most exciting part."
The Camden Partnership (TCP) take this definition to heart in its work for Camden County and Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. It was also illustrated in the genesis of the Partnership, which came about in June of 2003.
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"The Camden Partnership is an excellent example of the positives that can come from a community working together. Through the leadership of Walt Yourstone and Jim Wells, the group has the three cities, the county, state and federal agencies and the military pulling together to make sure there is smart, quality growth in the community. Camden County is one of the fastest growing areas in the country and planning for that growth is very important. The Camden Partnership's efforts were invaluable to me during the Base Realignment and Closure process in 2005. They had the research and facts to present to the Pentagon and they also rallied community support for Kings Bay. It has been my honor to work with The Camden Partnership." Congressman Jack Kingston, 1st District of Georgia
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How It Started
BRAC - the very phrase strikes terror, or at least worry, in the hearts of residents inside and outside "the fence" of a military base. An evaluative process that takes place about every five years, BRAC, which stand for "Base Realignment and Closure," has at least one positive effect - it brings people together. That "bringing together" started early here in Georgia, where Governor Sonny Perdue challenged the business community to take the lead, in August 2003, in saving Georgia's military bases. He felt that business leaders understand the economic importance of military bases to the local communities and to the state of Georgia. But how much of an influence on the economy do these bases actually have? One-half million jobs are impacted by military bases in Georgia. By itself, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay uses $90 million worth of goods and services every year. It has a total payroll of $300 million annually. Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay is the biggest employer in Camden County, with approximately 8000 employees.
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