Founded in 1982, LEAD Athens has a rich history and has yielded more than 700 alumni from all cross-sections of the community. President John Quincy Adams said “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."
Each year, 30 community leaders are chosen to participate in the LEAD Athens program, a program of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce. It is specifically designed to develop effective leaders committed to building a vibrant community. The vision of LEAD Athens is to inspire members of the community to exceed both their individual and collective potential as leaders.
Participants in the LEAD Athens program are chosen through a nomination and selection process. Once chosen they participate in monthly sessions learning about different aspects of leadership within the state of Georgia and the Athens area. Throughout the course of the year, the group is split up into teams and tasked with coordinating a team community minded project. Team projects in the past have been the revitalization of the Athens Farmer’s Market, igniting the Little Free Libraries you see around town, and the cleanup and curriculum development for the Clarke Middle School’s ropes course to name a few.
Each month, participants gather for the following sessions:
STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: The participants learn about statewide economic development and take a field trip to the Georgia Resource Center in Atlanta to gain insight.
LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/INDUSTRY: The participants find out how local industries, both large and small, contribute to the local community with field trips to designated industries.
HUMAN SERVICES/NONPROFITS: Participants get an overview of social services agencies. Field trips and simulated interactions make this session the class favorite.
HEALTH CARE: Local health care services are examined through tours and presentations.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT: The inner workings of the local Athens-Clarke County government are explored through observation, interaction and field visits.
STATE GOVERNMENT: The session is held at the Georgia Capital so the class can experience the legislative process. Field trip includes face time with local legislators, state officials, lobbyists and group picture with the governor.
EDUCATION: Diversity of educational opportunities in Athens is explored as provided by educational institutions. The class finds out what it takes to create an educated workforce for Athens.
ARTS HISTORY, MUSIC AND CULTURE: This “quality of life” field trip offers a perspective on tourism, historic preservation and education.
The hope of LEAD Athens is exactly as President Adams said years ago. We hope each graduate of this program, inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more.
If you would like to nominate someone for the next class of leaders, please visit http://www.athensga.com/lead-athens/ for more information.
The LEAD Athens steering committee collects applications throughout the year. Selections for the upcoming year are usually finalized in the early summer.
From http://onlineathens.com/business/2015-08-15/mannheimer-vision-lead-athens-inspire-community
