The document proposes a book club for Somerset County employees to promote leadership development. It would meet quarterly for 60-90 minutes with a maximum of 15 participants. Each quarterly meeting would focus on one aspect of the county's leadership model - strategic thinking, business results, leadership/management, or personal effectiveness. Employees would discuss assigned books and interact online between meetings. The book club aims to benefit both the county and employees by increasing engagement, collaboration, and leadership skills.

1. SOMERSET COUNTY BOOK CLUB
Submitted to:
The Somerset County Board
of Chosen Freeholders
&
Michael Amorosa,
Somerset County Administrator
PRESENTED BY: COHORT #6 – “Big Hero 6”
Hector Burgos, Michael DiGuilio, Joseph DiNuzzo, Donna Gapas, Jon Gangwer, Heather Mayen, & Antonietta Phelan

2. Summary
 Somerset County implemented the
Building Exceptional Leadership Talent
(B.E.L.T.) program to cultivate future
leaders.
 Tasked the cohort with developing a
professional “Book Club” where the
county’s employees can come
together to develop and improve their
management skills.

3. Objectives
 Promote the Somerset County Leadership Model
 Professional Development
 Networking
 Increase Employee Engagement

4. Structure
 Meet on a quarterly basis for
60-90 minutes
 Maximum of 15 participants
 Register through the Somerset
County Training Manual

5. Strategic
Thinking and
Planning
Business
Results
Leadership
and
Management
Personal
Effectiveness
Each quarter will focus one aspect of the Leadership Model
Somerset County Leadership Model

6. Members will continue to interact
between meetings via the club’s forum
Facilitators will be volunteers from within
the County (i.e. current managers)
Marketing via in-County resources

7. Benefits to Somerset County
 Development of leadership skills
 Increase employee well being
 Allow employees some autonomy for their own professional
development
 Promote County-wide collaboration
 Develop future leaders
 Introduce the four areas of the BELT Leadership Model
 Increase awareness of County-wide services to employees

8. Benefits to the Employee
 Increase employee well-being
 Non-traditional environment to develop leadership skills
 Ownership of development
 Increased accessibility and availability to variety of resources
 Additional elements for use on resumes or in interviews for
advancement opportunities
 Opportunities for networking
 Exposure to the ideas and processes of other County offices

9. Cost
Productivity Time
 60 to 90 minutes per session
 4 sessions per year
 6 total hours of commitment per
year
 Sessions scheduled during the work
day
 Forum participation in between
sessions
 Times will vary by each participant
Monetary
 Books will be physical copies
 Purchased through the Somerset County
Library
 Cost for eight books (first two years),
$130
 15 participants for two years totals
$1,950
 Average materials cost per year, $975
 Average cost per participant per year,
$65

10. Future Potential
• Increased interest as word
spreads
• Multiple clubs running in
quarterly succession
• Participant feedback utilizing
a satisfaction survey
• Development of a standard
curriculum
• Use of electronic resources

11. Current Successes

12. Staff Book Club Successes
 A staff book club is beneficial to “employee development, increased motivation, and
team bonding.” It allows “team members from various roles and pay grades to
share knowledge that may not have otherwise been exposed.” – Andy Baily of Small
Biz Daily
 Getting staff members together to read and discuss books “can be a potent
leadership development tool” which offers members “deep and powerful lessons
about leadership.” – Sandra J. Sucher, Harvard Business School Professor
 “The themes we discuss can relate to the work we’re all doing” – Michaela Dwyer,
Postgraduate Fellow in Ethics at Duke University
A Somerset County Book Club will serve to increase employee
engagement and motivation, foster growth and learning, and provide
a fun and stimulating way for employees to take ownership of their
individual leadership development.