Applications are open for the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber’s Leadership DeKalb program, which empowers local community leaders.
Program Director Leigh Fuson said the program is open to anyone who wants to learn more about leadership and the workings of DeKalb County. Fuson said the program shows off the county’s ins and outs, as well as what goes on behind the scenes.
“It just really brings to light the things that makes our town run, whether it’s economics or government,” Fuson said. “And so, the Chamber is invested in our economic development in the county, and so we definitely want to promote this program to just get people involved.”
Fuson said people interested in being a part of the program should reach out to the Chamber Office. The nine-month program meets once a month throughout its duration, with classes beginning this month .
Fuson said the program carries a large alumni network, many of whom teach classes and give back to the program each year. She said these alumni may share about their businesses or give leadership tips to those enrolled.
Fuson said participants are able to discuss some of the challenges faced by DeKalb County, be it funding or government issues. She said navigating those problems helps people develop their leadership skills.
Fuson said each year, the Leadership DeKalb class is given the chance to impact the community. She said previous classes have had a lot of success.
“We’ve been able to accomplish a lot of things within the county, whether is’s starting a new nonprofit group or helped build something in the county, or helped something in a school,” Fuson said. “We’ve been able to visit different places and find a need throughout the time in Leadership DeKalb, and they’re able to work together as a class to come up with a class project that they complete after they graduate.”
Fuson said the program has a new theme each month. For instance, participants may visit the schools during education month or visit first responders in emergency services month.
Fuson said the program also focuses on tourism, so participants are able to check out various attractions through fun activities.
“We get to visit some of the places that the people that live here don’t normally go to because they think it’s just for the outsiders,” Fuson said. “Or maybe they don’t even know it exists, so we get to experience some things that maybe somebody that lives here might kind of overlook.”
Fuson said people have left the program and been able to strengthen their businesses through networking. Others have went on to run for public office. Fuson said some participants have gone on to lead nonprofits, churches, and organizations.
Fuson said there is a tuition fee for Leadership DeKalb, but many applicants are sponsored by their employers. Scholarships are also available for those who are not sponsored. Fuson said roughly 12 people are in the program each year.