Leadership McMinnville marks milestone of 20th graduating class
Leadership McMinnville is celebrating a major milestone this year with the 20th anniversary of the program. The program is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and is designed to help develop community leaders and encourage volunteerism.
In celebration of the event, the Chamber plans to play off that theme for its annual banquet in January, which will be called ’20 Years of Leadership.’ The Chamber also plans to have a Leadership McMinnville reunion some time in the spring. Around 350 people have participated in Leadership McMinnville over its 20-year history, many of whom have gone on to take leadership roles in the community.
According to current Chamber president Alicea Weddington and Leadership McMinnville alum Sandra Haynes, the program began in 1986 with the first class graduating in 1987.
‘Actually it was started by Don Collette of McMinnville Electric System,’ Haynes said. ‘He was in Murfreesboro and heard they had started a Leadership Murfreesboro class, and he thought, ‘Boy this is something that could be great for McMinnville.’ So he came back here and he and Jane Flatt, she was his administrative assistant at the time, sat down and made a plan on how this could work here. Then he took it to the Chamber board and said, ‘This is something that we really need.’
Haynes said Collette’s presentation was quite effective.
‘He came to the Chamber board absolutely prepared,’ Haynes said. ‘He gave every Chamber board member a packet of information on how this could work.’
The Chamber board was duly impressed, a committee was formed to set up the program, and Leadership McMinnville was born.
Though the program used to follow the school calendar, the classes now begin with a retreat in January, then meet once a month through November with graduation in December.
Monthly meetings include classes on a variety of subjects, such as a legislative day, which deals with city, county and state government, rural development, human needs and services, health care, judicial and law enforcement, quality of life, education and economic development and infrastructure.
Weddington says the goal of the program, evident in its name, is to create leaders.
‘First and foremost it’s to get people involved in the community,’ Weddington said. ‘To get them to learn about local government, about how the city and county works, about the workings of human needs and services organizations, and all the organizations that are out there who are looking for people to volunteer.’
Haynes agreed.
‘The goal is for each participant to learn about the community and choose something that they want to get involved in,’ Haynes said. ‘To see some way that they can make a difference.’
Each Leadership McMinnville class takes on a major project, the Autumn Street Fair, which has become a major event and fundraiser in the community. The project is also a way to promote team building, which has become an important aspect of the program.
And the program obviously works. Haynes, who was a member of the second Leadership McMinnville class, said that experience is the main reason she began, and has continued, to be strongly involved in the community as well as in local government.
‘There’s no doubt in my mind,’ Haynes said. ‘I would never have even considered running for Warren County Commissioner if I had not been through Leadership McMinnville. I wouldn’t have known how to get started, who to talk to.’
The program has also expanded its Youth Leadership program, which is now set up more along the lines of the adult program.
There is an application process for those who wish to attend Leadership McMinnville. The cost is $450 and organizers try to keep the class size at a maximum of 20. Many local businesses sponsor employees but individuals can apply as well. Applications are available at the Chamber or online at the Chamber Web site at www.warrentn.com. This Friday, Nov. 30, is the deadline for applications this year.