Participants attend a two-day retreat, a one-day mid-year retreat and nine one-day sessions over a ten-month period.
The program begins with a two-day retreat at the DuBose Conference Center in Monteagle, Tennessee. Through various activities, a Strength Deployment Inventory, self assessment and the perceptions of your classmates, you will learn a great deal about your leadership attributes and those of your class mates.
This one-day retreat is a “follow-up” to the opening two-day retreat. Usually held at Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, at this retreat you will review and complete the Strength Deployment Inventory and review information that has been presented to you about the community and each other. You will also hear from two or more community leaders who have played significant roles in the development of Sumner County.
Monthly educational sessions are designed to promote interest and awareness of local issues and challenges, and a rare opportunity to interact with community leaders and State Legislators. Sessions are scheduled on the second Wednesday of each month (October through June) from 8:00am - 5:00pm. Prior to applying to this program, a candidate should discuss time constraints and scheduling with their employer. Participants will take part in lectures, panel discussions, demonstrations, workshops, field trips and special projects.
Participants are required to attend additional activities during the program. Activities range from attending City/County Governmental Meetings to shadowing a Police Officer during their regular shift. Each member must also become familiar with and participate in a human-service- agency program. Class members will give presentations on their chosen human-service-agency organization. For more detailed information about the required projects and activities please email one of the current board members for a copy of the “Content and Program Topics” in the Leadership Sumner Policies & Procedures handbook.
The program concludes with a Leadership Summer graduation ceremony and reception. In order to graduate from the Leadership Sumner program each participant must attend both retreats and at least eight of the monthly educational sessions. Family members and friends of the graduates, as well as city and county leaders are invited and encouraged to attend the graduation ceremony. Upon the completion of the Program, many of Leadership Sumner's graduates go on to further their education and knowledge on a broader scale by participating in the Leadership Middle Tennessee Program.