LEADERSHIP

WHY DO WE NEED LEADERSHIP NEVADA COUNTY?

In a nutshell, Leadership Nevada County is needed to develop leaders who can transform our community.  This program can help in the transformation by providing enlightened, educated, empowered and motivated community leaders.  It has become clearer that leaders of all constituencies within our county must work together competently to help our communities meet the challenges of the future.  People from across boundaries must talk and work together to solve problems and to steer our area toward its preferred future – its vision.

WHO CAN APPLY?

Anyone may apply; however, an official Leadership Nevada County application form must be used.  The anonymous selection committee will choose a maximum of ten (10) individuals from the applications to participate each year.  Candidates not selected for the current year may be reconsidered for future classes; it will not be unusual for several applicants to be deferred to future years.  The applicant must not be an opposed candidate for public office during the selection time.  The cost for the program is $200.00 for the year and is payable by the participant, their employer or another community sponsor.  There are a number of scholarships available each year.

WHAT IS LEADERSHIP NEVADA COUNTY’S ORGANIZATION? 

It is a program of the Prescott Nevada County Chamber of Commerce and the Prescott Nevada County Economic Development Office conducted under the corporate charter of the Nevada County Industrial Development Charitable Foundation.  A board of directors, comprised of local civic leaders, educators, and specialists in selected fields, oversees the program and coordinates such matters as curriculum, programs, speakers and potential participants.  An anonymous selection committee appointed by the Board President selects the participants each year.  Participants are selected from the pool of applicants.  Applicants will be selected in a manner that ensures the greatest possible diversity in each class.  Areas of diversity will include but not be limited to:  age, race, gender, occupational background, educational level, length of residency and geographic residency.

WHAT IS THE PROGRAM?

The program consists of a kick-off introduction of participants at the previous class’ graduation banquet, a two-day retreat, ten one-day sessions, and a graduation banquet.  The program runs for one full year with one session meeting each month.  Included are programs on leadership skill development, strategic planning, communication, personality theory, history, business and economic development, law enforcement, cultural diversity, education, health and human services, local government, state government, quality of life and more.

WHAT ARE THE MEETING TIMES AND WHERE?

The introduction of participants will be held at the banquet for the previous class.  At that time the new class will be presented to the media and the alumni.  The retreat will be held on a Friday and Saturday.  Each one-day session will start at 8:00 am and end at 5:00 pm (with two exceptions).  Sessions will be held at various locations suitable for the theme of a particular session’s topic.  It is essential that the applicant be able to commit the time required to attend the sessions.  Participants will be given a list of dates at the retreat so that they can schedule work and vacation around the sessions.

REAL COST OF THE PROGRAM

Participants are expected to take their commitment to the program seriously. The real cost of the program is approximately $600 per person. Since each participant only pays $200 the remaining $400 per person has to be raised through contributions of money or in-kind services. The organizations that invest in the program do so because they believe that a well trained leadership pool is necessary to help our community grow. The Leadership Nevada County Board of Directors wants to be faithful to that charge.

TENTATIVE PROGRAM CONTENT

Retreat – Thursday & Friday – 2 Day

• Personality and Type Workshop
• Local Demographics Workshop
• Dealing with Change Workshop
• Communication and Team Building Workshop
• Service Project Planning
• Entertainment

History – 1 Day

• History of Arkansas
• Tour of Nevada County Museum
• Nevada County – Prescott History
• Tour of Area Historic Sites

Leadership Skill Development – 1 Day

• Ropes Course – Leadership and Team Building

Health and Human Services – 1 Day

• Panel of Local Physicians
• Tour of the Health Clinic
• Overview of County Health
• Tour of Day Service Center
• Tour of Nursing Home and Rehab Center
• Overview of the Dept. of Human Services
• Visit with Wadley Regional Medical Center
• Overview of Split Rail Group Living Facility

Cultural Diversity – 1 Day

• Cultural Diversity Workshop

State Government – 1 Day and Evening

• Picture with the Governor
• Tour of State Capital
• Visit House Chambers
• Visit Senate Chambers
• Visit Secretary of State
• Little Rock Attraction
• Supper

Local Government – 1 Day

• Visit with County Judge
• Visit with Tax Assessor
• Visit with County Clerk
• Visit with County Treasurer
• Visit with Mayor of Prescott
• Visit City Manager
• Visit Mayors of Other Nevada County Cities

Business and Economic Development – 1 Day

• Visit with Local Economic Developer
• Tour Local Industrial Park
• Visit with Local Chamber Director
• Agra-Business Development
• Presentation by Arkansas Department of Economic Development
• Tour of Local Industries

Law Enforcement – 1 Day and Evening

• Attend Court Session
• Visit with Judge
• Visit with Sheriff
• Tour County Jail
• Visit with Police Chief
• Visit with Prosecuting Attorney
• Tour Arkansas Law Enforcement Academy
• Supper
• F.A.T.S. I Training Exercise

Education – 1 Day

• Visit a Local Preschool
• Tour Nevada Schools
• Visit with Nevada Superintendent
• Tour Prescott Schools
• Visit with Prescott Superintendent
• Visit with UAHT Chancellor
• Tour UAHT

Quality of Life – 1 Day

• Community Beautification Committee
• Visit with Various Civic Clubs
• Downtown Development
• Picnic Lunch at White Oak Lake State Park
• Outdoor Recreation
• Arkansas Game and Fish Presentation
• Barge Tour of White Oak Lake

Service Project – During the Year

The class will be divided into groups of 4 to 5 participants.  Each group will complete a service project in the community prior to graduation.  The project must be an original project (not a continuation of an existing project) and it must benefit the community.

Book Report – During the Year

Each participant will be required to read one approved book on leadership prior to graduation.  They must complete the two-page book report form on their reading.

Homework – During Year

Each session will require a limited amount of homework (no more that 1 – 2 hours) to be completed during the course of the year.  An example is that participants are to attend one hour of a Quorum Court meeting and one hour of a City Council meeting prior to the Local Government Session.