Are you choosing to be a leader or a follower? That will be the question of the day at the Nov. 18 Valley Industry Association luncheon at the Valencia Country Club, with presentations by members of the 2014 VIA Leadership Program.

With a business school approach, over the course of seven months every year the VIA Leadership Program involves about 10-15 employees at a time from local companies, and features a variety of speakers, from legal and HR experts to local officials and more. Topics include ethics, managing meetings, work/life balance and more.  The program also features a team project focused on team building, personal development and research to help improve VIA. During the Nov. 18 luncheon, attendees will firsthand what people learned in the program, learn about the business community surveys they conducted this year and weigh in through an audience survey.

The luncheon will also feature a keynote address by Terry Mayfield, Division Manager with Landsberg. Co-chair of the 2014 VIA Leadership Program and a past participant, Mayfield has presented more than 1,300 keynotes, workshops and seminars focused on leadership, management, sales and personal performance.

“I’m very excited for the business community to get a taste of what the Leadership Program is all about,” VIA President and CEO Kathy Norris said. “Over the past several years, this has developed into a fantastic resource for professionals in our community.”

VIA is also collecting non-perishable food donations at the November and December luncheons to help local nonprofit organizations that supply food to needy families. To thank those who contribute, VIA will enter each donor’s name into a special drawing to be made at the Dec. 16 luncheon.

Reservations are required for the luncheon. Members who reserve by Thursday, Nov. 13, pay $45. After Nov. 13, the cost is $50 if seats are still available. The cost for non-members is $65. “No shows” or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance will be billed. There is a $10 surcharge for attendees without a reservation. The luncheon starts at 11:45 a.m. The Valencia Country Club is located at 27330 N. Tourney Road. The luncheon is sponsored by the City of Santa Clarita, LBW Insurance and Financial Services, Poole and Shaffery, Mellady Direct Marketing, SCVTV, KHTS AM-1220 and The Signal. Reservations can be made by visiting www.VIA.org/Calendar or calling the VIA office at (661) 294-8088.

The Valley Industry Association of Santa Clarita represents business interests throughout the Santa Clarita Valley, providing members the opportunity to network and collaborate on a broad range of business issues. More information about VIA is available at www.via.org.