Leadership Carroll County is accepting registrations for '08 class
Comet staff report

Leadership Carroll County (LCC), an in-depth adult leadership development program, is accepting registrations for its 2008 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, not-for-profits, and much more.

"Leadership Carroll County is open to county residents or any person with civic or business activities in Carroll County," said Ann Brown, LCC chairman. "The vision for Leadership Carroll County is to develop a pool of committed and competent leaders necessary to build community unity and to create a dynamic county.

With two graduating classes and a third class scheduled to begin Jan 23, Carroll County is very fortunate to have over sixty individuals who, because they were interested and wanted to make a difference, now have experienced personal and community leadership development that will make that vision a reality for Carroll County."

"Some graduates have actively pursued political office and others have been directly involved with county-wide committees working to improve or assist economic development, tourism, education, infastructure and leadership for Carroll County," Brown added.

The six-week program will be held on six consecutive Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 23 and concluding Feb. 27. 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.

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.

"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."

For more information or to register, contact any member of the task force: Ann Brown, Janet Ayres, Dan Gottschalk, Todd Ladd, Larry Trapp, Al Jackson, Anita Werling, Vicky Snipes, Hannah Germond, or Susan Scholl, or e-mail editor@ carrollcountycomet.com or call 574-967-4135.