Registration is open for 2007 Leadership Carroll County class
Result of Crossroads initiative
By Susan Scholl

Leadership Carroll County (LCC), an in-depth adult leadership development program, is accepting registrations for its 2007 class that will begin in mid- January.

The curriculum will include both personal leadership development topics as well as information about the county and current issues. Some of the topics to be explored will be communication skills of leaders, teamwork, serving on boards, county demographics, local government, notfor

profits, and much more.

"Sometimes we think leaders

are born, but this program proves that anyone who has the desire to make a difference can, said LCC graduate Andy Cougill of Delphi. "I've never been the type to take charge, but now I feel energized to step forward and accept new responsibility. I highly recommend the leadership program to anyone who wants to give back to their community."

The six-week program will be held on six consecutive Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 24 and concluding Feb. 28. The first session will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Camp Tecumseh YMCA Center. Each session thereafter will be from 12 noon to 5 p.m. In order to become better acquainted with the county, the program sites will rotate to different communities

within the county.

Leadership Carroll County is a

result of the Carroll County at the Crossroads strategic planning effort that occurred two years

ago. Identified in those planning sessions was the need for leadership development within Carroll County.

The purpose of the leadership program is five-fold: 1) to identify and expand the leadership base who will assume active roles in Carroll County; 2) develop leadership capacity by providing the necessary training; 3) increase involvement in government, supporting agencies and civic organizations for the benefit of the entire county; 4) influence change in the county through enhanced leadership; and 5) build a spirit of unity in the county.

"As we met each week, I was amazed at the knowledge that each person brought with them," said Sandy Simpson of Flora, a LCC graduate. "I learned so much from each person and I learned a lot about Carroll County. This was a very valuable experience that each of us can take out into our communities and strive to make our county better."

Leadership Carroll County is open to any county resident, or any person with business or civic activities in Carroll County. There is a registration fee of $100 that will cover a portion of the expenses and lunch and snacks at each session. Participants will receive a notebook of leadership materials. A few half scholarships are available.

Continuing leadership development opportunities will be offered to participants who complete the program.

The first Leadership Carroll County class was held earlier this year with 27 participants.

For more information or to register, contact any member of the task force: Todd Ladd, Ann Brown, Ralph Walker, Janet Ayres, Dan Gottschalk, Larry Trapp, Al Jackson, Anita Werling or Susan Scholl, or call 574-967- 4135.