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Community Heroes Series
From the October 2002 issue of Alabama Living magazine
By Kay
Marshall
What really makes a community successful? Is it the infrastructure,
the schools, the churches, the government? Or is it the concentrated
efforts of the ordinary citizens within each community?
With astounding proof of its success in our area's communities,
Marion County Leadership Conference, provides an outlet and training
resource for community individuals who have shown leadership qualities.
From tiny acorns mighty oak trees grow.
All it ever really takes is an idea, a seed planted, and the motivation
to see it through. That's what typically makes change where change
is needed. That ideal is exemplified in the efforts of Dr. D.L.
Howell, Dr. Sonny Nix, and Mr. Austin Adkins, who started the Leadership
Program  in
1994. The main purpose of their idea evolved around creating an
outlet for networking throughout the county… networking that
was county based, not city based. Since its inception the Leadership
Program has graduated 184 individuals in their once a month, all-day
program.
Classes are made up of between 20-25 people from all across the
county, with classes beginning in September and ending in May of
the following year.
The recruiting of class members begins each August with prospective
participants generally being sponsored by their employer. Individuals
may also go through the program, and many do so purely for the networking
aspects. Participants are chosen from all across Marion County,
and the programs board and coordinator make certain that each year's
class is extremely diversified. "This is such a great way for
people from all points of Marion County to come together",
explained program coordinator, Tyna Vines, "by graduation,
20-25 people, ranging in age from 20-60, and from all areas in our
county know one another on a first name basis, and have established
networking contacts that help each community".
Sponsors, Cost, and Focus.
According to Ms. Vines 1/3rd of all participants in the Marion
County Leadership Program come from county banking institutions.
"Banks are a great supporter of the Leadership Program,"
said Ms. Vines, "with another 1/3rd coming in from community
hospitals and industry," she continued. "The remaining
1/3rd are sponsored by local government, clubs and civic organizations,
and individuals, so it insures that we have all aspects of business
represented."
The cost of enrollment is $250.00, with tuition fees paying for
a Continental breakfast for the participants, Leadership Text and
Manuals, a one-day trip to Montgomery, and a Graduation luncheon
and ceremony.
What do participants learn?
With each years class the topics remain the same. Why? Because
the main topics of Economic Growth, Community Service, Communication,
and Improving Education remain ever vital components within each
of our Marion County communities. Each new class has a predetermined
focus … improving upon solutions within the named areas.
Leadership instructors, Dr. D.L. Howell - retired Ole Miss Business
Professor and current Arbitrator, Dr. Sonny Nix - retired Bevill
State CC Dean (Hamilton campus) and current Work Force Developer
for Itawamba CC (Fulton, MS), and Dr. Ernest Jobe - Professor of
Business from the University of North Alabama, conduct the all-day
seminars with insight and flair, and encourage the participants
to think in a community-oriented way. As well, each year local educators,
government officials, and community business leaders speak to the
classes. The class also visits a Marion County industry, and takes
a trip to Montgomery where participants meet with the Governor,
and our area representatives.
Upon graduating from Leadership, the participants receive a certificate/diploma,
hone their networking skills, gain confidence in their leadership
skills, and are recognized throughout the year in local write-ups
about Team projects.
Making A Difference
Participants are divided into 5-6 "Teams", and are assigned
the task of coming up with a project that has lasting benefit to
our county. The Teams work together, both in and outside of class
time, to pull their respective projects off. This includes raising
money, coordinating the project, and seeing it to completion. The
Teams then present a project report, at graduation, to the entire
class on their success, failure, or efforts at getting their chosen
project off the ground. While most Teams complete their projects,
some are never seen to fruition due to a lack of funds.
For example, Team members during the 2001 year put together a  brochure
which detailed every Marion County Festival. This brochure was meant
to go out to all cities and towns within the county, to aid economic
development potential, to provide visitor information, and to place
in statewide hubs. Unfortunately, without the funds available for
printing costs, projects such as these, which would most certainly
benefit our county, are never completed.
Other projects do get off the ground with astounding success. Just
last month Habitat for Humanity of Marion County, which has its
roots in a Team Leadership project, dedicated their first home (see
the September issue of Alabama Living). Other lasting contributions
to our community with direct ties to Leadership are:
· A Billboard touting Marion County along Hwy 43
· Brochures detailing the advantages of our communities
· Industrial listings
· Educational programs for K-12
With funds desperately needed, the public is encouraged to designate
any taxable donations to the Leadership program. Economic Development
boards are also encouraged to seek out grants to cover the costs
for these brochures. If you, your business, or your organization
would like to contribute to this worthy Marion County program, please
Ms. Tyna Vines, at Hamilton Area Chamber of Commerce - POB 1168-
Hamilton, AL 35570, or phone the Chamber at 205.921.7786.
Kay Marshall
is the Web Developer and writer
for Tombigbee EC
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