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Leadership Sumter County

Leadership Sumter County builds and strengthens the Sumter community through training its leaders for the challenges of tomorrow. The program goals focus on developing informed leaders and channeling their ideas and experiences toward community resources, including issues and concerns, so that they might help direct the future of Sumter County.   Leadership Sumter County participants learn specific leadership skills, gain a broad based exposure to the community, and meet peers in other fields. The friendships and networks formed during the program benefit professional and volunteer activities.  In addition, the community gains a group of trained leaders who have developed a heightened sense of civic concern and responsibility.

Who Can Participate?

The Leadership Advisory Council solicits and reviews nominations for the program. Participants are those who have been identified as having an interest in the community and a sincere commitment to making Sumter County a better place to work and live. Participants are chosen to represent the occupational and demographic diversity in the community. No age limit is observed when selecting program participants.

Note: These forms are in PDF format, and require Adobe Reader to view.

Program Overview

The curriculum includes a retreat in January, one full day session per month from February through September and a commencement activity in October. Each program session concentrates on a specific area of the community using panel discussions, speakers, special presentations and participatory experiences. A homework assignment is to be completed prior to each session which requires approximately two hours of work.

Topics covered include local government, the judicial system, local economics, quality of life, the education system, medical services, state government, cultural diversity, volunteerism and leadership skills.

The cost for Leadership Sumter County is $500 per student, which includes all retreat expenses, meals at the monthly programs, materials needed throughout the year, transportation for the state government session and graduation fees.

Scholarships may be available on a limited basis. For more information, contact the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce at 352-793-3099

Commencement is held in October. Participants and their spouses, as well as alumni, are invited to enjoy a festive evening, receive yearbooks, and celebrate the year's highlights. Diplomas are awarded only to those participants who have missed no more than two programs.

Program Benefits

The benefits for Leadership Sumter County participants include learning specific leadership skills, gaining a broad base exposure to the community, meeting peers in other fields and forming friendships and networks to benefit professional and volunteer activities. In addition, the community gains a group of trained leaders who have developed a heightened sense of civic concern and responsibility.

Leadership development is for large and small business people, community volunteers, professionals, civic/government employees and YOU!