Overview
The purpose of the LF Program is to provide leadership training and inspire a network of emerging leaders thru an educational experience that increases all participants’ knowledge, awareness of community institutions and involvement with community leaders, volunteers and resources.
The mission of Leadership Forsyth is to strengthen our community by enhancing individual and collective leadership potential. Our goal is to broaden the volunteer leadership base, identify and train future leaders, and promote a network of informed, motivated community leaders. Through this educational experience, the participants become better able to involve themselves in community life and better prepared to lead Forsyth County to a better future. LF does not attempt to create a consensus of opinion or to promote any specific issue.
Our program has graduated over 400 participants and consists of an evening orientation, one two-day retreat, nine one-day sessions, periodic study group sessions, a class project and a graduation. Meetings and activities are distributed over a ten-month period beginning in August.
LEADERSHIP FORSYTH PROGRAM FACTS:
- Graduates since 1989: Over 400 graduates include: judges, bankers, legal and medical professionals, business and Chamber of Commerce member’s and staff, non-profit organization’s employees, volunteers and board members. Additionally, clergy from our community, city and county government employees, Board of Education administrative staff and teachers, a State Representative and a State Senator have benefited from this program.
- First LF employee: Vicky Clair, Administrative Director, hired April 1, 2003
- LF Graduates Within the Community: Of the over 400 graduates, over 70 percent have gone on to participate within the county on non-profit boards or service as participants in various civic and community volunteer organizations.
- LF Graduates Class Projects: Class projects that have benefited the community, not only in monetary value, are projects such as the Fun Run, chartering of the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, facilitating the start-up of Hands On Forsyth, and the Forsyth Cares Concert with net proceeds donated to United Way agencies and other non-profits, in conjunction with the Forsyth County YMCA the construction of The LF Pavilion, and in the southeast and the first in Georgia a universally accessible Tree House on Sawnee Mountain, and the beautification of the outdoor Garden & Activities area of the Forsyth County Senior Center, all benefiting Forsyth County citizens.
- Alumni Program: Alumni have had the opportunity to be involved through our Leadership Link events, on-going community projects involving regional issues, voter’s registration, United Way agencies, Senior Center, youth mentoring, leadership education and development.
Youth Leadership Program: LF oversees the high school Youth Leadership Program as well. LF facilitates the Youth Leadership sessions during the program and this year we have added the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens for the students. We are also implementing the YLF II in the near future.
- A Community Collaborative Effort: Our Board of Directors represent businesses and organizations from across the county, such as the judiciary branch of our county government, local hospital, volunteer and non-profit organizations, as well as a number of private businesses. We also rely on the resources at the local level to lead our instruction for the day, such as our local governmental branches and their outlining departments.