Leadership Marion County seeks members for 2008 class years ago
Applications for the next class of Leadership Marion County now are available at city and economic development offices in the county.
"Leadership Marion County is a program that has been making an impact on Marion County communities for about 20 years," said LMC board secretary Trayce Warner of Florence. "The curriculum is provided by the National Leadership Program. It is well defined and fits our county."
Warner said each class is made up of about 12 students. They meet from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month. Each meeting takes place in a different community and lunch is provided. This year classes will begin March 6 and meet until Aug. 10, the date of graduation.
"Students learn the importance of each community, its issues, and leaders," said Warner. "The program builds county promotion by familiarizing the students with what we have to offer and ways to be a leader for Marion County. There is a real bonding that occurs among classmates and old community rivalries fade away."
Each class is taught by a facilitator who comes in well-versed in one area of instruction, called a "capacity." Capacities include servant leadership, vision, personal mission, steps to a performing community, consensus, and other lessons needed to work with others and develop leadership skills.
"When I went through graduation last year and looked at the names in the program of previous class members, I was so impressed," said Warner. "I expect there were 100 or so names of people who have gone through this training and are now active leaders in our communities, in government, in PRIDE and chambers, and in economic development groups.
"It really is a good investment," she said.
Tuition for the course is $175. An individual may apply and pay the fee himself or he may ask an employer, a city, or an organization to sponsor him. Each applicant needs two letters of recommendation to accompany his application.
Applications are due Feb. 10 and may be sent to Leadership Marion County president Jackie Rice, 101 N. Thorp, Marion.
For more information contact Rice at 620-382-3800.
