Providing opportunities to enhance civic knowledge and network
Casey Holladay , Guest Writer
For more than 25 years , Leadership Lauderdale has been a part of the culture of the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation ( EMBDC ). With more than 650 graduates completing Leadership Lauderdale , the program has evolved and shifted to meet the expectations and growing needs of those participants . The purpose of Leadership Lauderdale is to provide opportunities for increasing civic knowledge by better understanding how multiple sectors of our community work together . The program also brings its participants into personal contact with the civic , business and political leaders of the day to hear first-hand the opportunities and issues facing our community . Lastly , Leadership Lauderdale inspires participants to focus their talents in a way that will best serve the community . The journey through Leadership Lauderdale not only develops stronger leadership skills , it provides an in-depth look at Meridian and Lauderdale County , allows the class to make an impact on our community through service , and create new friendships . Each month , facilitator Leah Hearn , takes the class through the “ 7 Habits of Highly Effective People .” Participants take these habits and allow them to shape their life both personally and professionally .
The Building Blocks and Go , See , Hear tours provide each participant an opportunity to learn and visit parts of Meridian and Lauderdale County they may not have seen before . These opportunities consist of learning about the city and county ’ s education system , quality of life , healthcare , government , military , and industry . The class also has the opportunity to learn about the needs of the community and how they can give back . The community service groups work to find a need and focus on how to best meet that need within an organization . Leadership Lauderdale is conducted by facilitators who volunteer their time and knowledge to make the class a success . Leah Hearn with Commercial Bank , Derron Radcliff with Mississippi Power Company , and Dusty Culpepper with Community Bank are an invaluable resource to the program . They are dedicated and give of their time each year to ensure each class has the best possible experience .
The EMBDC is proud to have offered this leadership program for more than 25 years . And we look forward to meeting the next class of Leadership Lauderdale .
Casey Holladay is events coordinator for the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation .
42 • MERIDIAN LIFE