Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
All organizations, whether business, government, nonprofit or civic, are always looking for leaders with the skills to take on projects, communicate and implement strategies and recognize future opportunities.
Developing those skills can happen within an organization or, in some communities, through a local leadership development program.
The Martin County Alliance for Economic Growth is launching a new leadership program this month. The Legacy program has spots for 15 adults and the first class will be Oct. 18. Registration deadline is Sept. 13; the fee is $300.
Jessica Potts, executive director of the Alliance, said the Alliance saw a need for future leaders to grow their knowledge of the county’s economy, tourism, history as well as learning about local opportunities and challenges.
Potts developed the program after talking to local economic development officials in neighboring counties that have leadership programs and working with consultant Lee Lewellen, former director of the Indiana Economic Development Association.
The class will meet monthly from October until April, with a different topic each month. At the first class, participants will complete a leadership assessment and do team building activities. They will also discuss their capstone project, a group project to identify an obstacle or opportunity in the county.
A local leadership program is fairly new for Martin County. The county’s Purdue Extension office launched a program in 2019-20 and after stopping during the pandemic, it didn’t return.
“As a county, we need a program like this for future leaders to understand local government, to know what’s happening at WestGate and in local tourism,” Potts said. “This first group will be our influencers and trendsetters in getting this off the ground.”
To learn more about Legacy, call the Alliance, 812-295-4800.
Orange County
The Orange County Community Leadership meets on a different schedule, running from March to December, but has a similar focus with an emphasis on networking, gaining skills and learning about volunteer opportunities.
Skylar Whiteman, executive director of Orange County Economic Development Partnership, is a graduate of the program. After learning from a co-worker what a great experience the program was, Whiteman registered for the 2023 class. For Whiteman, who was working in long-term care at the time, the experience was truly life changing.
“I had no idea that when I finally said yes in 2023 that it would be part of what led me to pursuing a new career. Once I got into the program and started learning more about our county, I realized that I could make a different kind of impact on my community and the Leadership Program helped give me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone,” Whiteman said. “I think it’s a great way to learn more about how you can become involved and what interests you. I highly recommend it!”
Enrollment for the 2025 class will begin in January. The program is a partnership between the Orange County Service Council and Purdue Extension.
Leadership Lawrence County
Leadership Lawrence County launched in 1986 and is organized each year by the Bedford Chamber. Sally Miller, Bedford Chamber membership and communications director, said the program emphasizes learning via networking and getting out into the community.
Class trips include visits to the Indiana Statehouse, NSWC Crane, the county jail and tourism sites such as Bluespring Caverns and the Gus Grissom Memorial at Spring Mill State Park.
Miller said local employers have been strong supporters of LLC by selecting employees to attend.
The participants cross all sectors and are often a mix of longtime and newer residents.
“Most of them want to be more involved in their communities and Leadership Lawrence County is a great introduction to local nonprofits, who they serve and what their needs are,” Miller said.
Another point of emphasis is the role of local government.
“The Chamber sees networking as important. We have seen how this has connected nonprofits with people who are eager to get involved. We’ve seen partnerships happen with businesses supporting nonprofits,” Miller said. “People who take the class are better equipped to vote, to answer questions from people in the community and to know what nonprofits we have to help people in need.”
The deadline to register for the 2024-25 class is Sept. 13 and the first class is Sept. 27. A $400 registration cost covers meals and transportation to off-site meetings. Contact the Chamber for more information or email Sally at [email protected].