Searcy Leadership Institute Celebrates 2010 Graduation

The 2009-2010 Class began their 9 month long journey in September 2009 with an overnight retreat. Searcy Leadership Institute opens doors for local business men and women and community leaders with the desire and ability to shape its future.  Through face-to-face meetings with local and state leaders and on-site visits to local institutions, agencies and organizations, participants explore major issues and unique challenges facing the Searcy and White County region.
The mission of the Searcy Leadership Institute is to foster the development and provide requisite training of potential community leaders. Searcy Leadership Institute’s purpose is to identify, educate and expose a select number of candidates to economic social and political issues affecting the community.  Specifically, the program is designed to:
-  Broaden the volunteer leadership base.
-  Identify and train new and emerging leadership for effective voluntary participation in community affairs.
-  Provide avenues of communication between emerging and established leadership.
-  Be a source of qualified and trained leadership for public and private agencies, organizations, planning bodies and commissions.

This class provides an opportunity for individuals to learn about the issues facing the community from the leaders in several areas.  The eight sessions  each year are similar, however the issues facing each sector are always changing.  Classes learn about the current issues facing Healthcare, Education, City, County and State Government and Economic Development.  They hear from leaders in the community and tour local businesses, industry, educational, governmental and healthcare facilities.  Class members travel to Little Rock to meet with our Legislators (State Senator John Paul Capps and State Representatives Monte Betts and Jonathan Dismang) tour the State Capitol and have their photograph taken with the Governor Mike Beebe.

With this year’s graduation, SLI celebrated its 14th consecutive class.  We have been fortunate to have volunteers anxious to participate.  Alumni of the program have continued their volunteer experience by assisting each new class member in a mentoring role.  Over 200 people have graduated from the program and have been educated on the economic, social and political issues affecting the community.  If you or someone you know would like to participate in the program please contact the chamber office.  Classes begin September 09-10 and then will meet the second Tuesday of each month October-November and January-May.  Applications are now being accepted for the 2010-2011 class, please contact the Chamber for details or click here to download a form. 

Front: Patrick Reilly(chair), Danny Games (Sponsor) Robert Hare, Deborah McFarlin, DeWayne Gaines, Melissa Ritter, Amy Tuggle, Andrea Pickens, Ketty Murray & Dr. Linda Thompson (Committee Members)  Back: Brian Landers, Donald Lytle, Danny Nixon, Janet Benight, Amy Daniels, Judge Michael Lincoln(Committee) and Carol Sisk.  Not pictured: Kathy DeVore