Leadership Rutherford
Mission and History
Leadership Rutherford is a personal development program designed to motivate participants to develop and enhance the quality of their leadership in addressing pertinent community needs. The purpose of the program is
- To identify potential and existing leaders in business, government, and the community to help them prepare for voluntary responsibility in the community.
- To provide these leaders with a practical and sophisticated understanding of major problems and opportunities facing the Rutherford County area.
- To facilitate access and improve the communications network between emerging leaders and current leaders within the community.
- To stimulate increased participation and commitment in the community.
Under the direction of the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Rutherford began its first program in 1985. The program was designed to sustain and supplement the high quality of local leadership, which continues to be the key ingredient in making Rutherford County the outstanding community that it is today. Leadership Rutherford is a private not-for-profit organization existing solely on tuition, private donations and fundraising activities.
Program Information
An active Chair, Council and Executive Director guide committees of past participants and current council members who are responsible for the program curriculum, participant selection, community placement and fundraising. The program consists of a retreat in September and eight topic oriented one-day seminars. The retreat provides structured exercises and presentations, which explore theories of leadership and personal power, as well as decision-making through group dynamics. The one-day seminars focus on major areas of community concern and explore the issue of leadership within the context of the day’s subject.
Each session is designed to present a wide range of options and perspectives to encourage thoughtful discussion through lectures, panel presentations, and a variety of group activities. Participants are given the opportunity to explore controversial issues with leaders representing a broad range of community interests about the selected topic. The program is modified each year to address current community issues. Following are examples of program issues and topics that might be covered:
- Leadership in Action – The Shaping of Rutherford County
- Business and Economic Development
- City and County Government – Organization and Services
- Law Enforcement, The Courts and Public Safety Administration
- Human Needs and Services in Rutherford County
- Quality of Life in Rutherford County
- Leadership Skills and Training and Motivation
- State Government – How to be an Effective Citizen
- Industry and Agriculture – Growing, Changing Rutherford County
Class participants are required to attend the opening one and one-half day retreat in September and all of the Wednesday day-long meetings to be entitled to graduate from this program. A total commitment of time is required to achieve a complete education in each subject area and is not negotiable. Varied individual assignments, which must be completed outside the classroom time, are also required. All group and individual projects relative to program topics are requirements of graduation.
