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Leadership Greater Jackson Program

Learn to Lead

Leadership Greater Jackson is a nine-month leadership development program designed to educate participants about major community issues and alternate approaches to solutions to community problems.  Each month, the Leadership Greater Jackson class meets to explore different aspects of leadership and various challenges facing the community.

Leadership Greater Jackson strives to help grow and enhance leadership qualities through an extensive curriculum, community service projects and interaction with the community’s foremost leadership.  A class of approximately 40 participants are selected by a committee of program alumni, who work to ensure that the individuals chosen reflect the diversity of the community-at-large.

Selection Process

Class members are selected based on their leadership abilities, career accomplishments, volunteer activities, contributions to the community, and commitment to help shape a better community. Because the program is limited in size, many qualified individuals must be deferred. Those not accepted in a given year may be considered again for the subsequent year if they wish.

Leadership Greater Jackson does not discriminate because of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, or national origin. The process of selection begins each spring with an appeal to the public for nominees. Self-nominations are encouraged. All nominees are sent application forms. These applications are given to a Selection Committee, which closely examines them and performs the difficult task of selecting a representative cross-section of leaders as members of the upcoming class.

Membership Requirements

  • 90% attendance at monthly meetings: September 2019-May 2020
    • Class Orientation – Thursday, August 28th
    • Fall Retreat – Friday/Saturday, September 5th-6th – Mandatory
    • History & Economic Development – Wednesday, October 16th
    • Cultural Differences – How to Make it Work – Monday/Tuesday, November 5th-6th – Mandatory
    • Criminal & Civil Justice System & the Law – Wednesday, December 11th
    • Mid-Year Retreat – Friday/Saturday, January 17th-18th
    • Education – Wednesday, February 12th
    • Human Needs, Health, & Services – Wednesday, March 18th
    • Quality of Life – Wednesday, April 8th
    • Closing Retreat – Friday/(Saturday), May 8th and/or 9th
    • Graduation – Thursday, May 14th
  • Mandatory attendance at Orientation
  • Mandatory attendance at Opening Retreat
  • Mandatory attendance at Cultural Differences: How to Make It Work
  • Tuition Cost: $2,000

Testimonials

  • John Maxwell once said “Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.” The Leadership Greater Jackson program has influenced my life in many ways including challenging me not to accept the current norm but to envision a better future.
    Christopher M. Bell
  • Experiencing the Leadership Greater Jackson program woke us up! My classmates are still an integral part of my life and missions. The program taught us how to be effective and instrumental in order to affect change in our greater metro area. I am forever thankful.
    Heidi Flynn Barnett
  • The gift Leadership Greater Jackson gave me was an introduction and a connection to a wonderfully diverse group of leaders from every sector of our community all devoted to improving the quality of life in the place I call home. Being a part of this dynamic network has made me a much more effective leader.
    Kenneth D. Farmer
  • Youth Leadership Jackson allowed me to meet new people from various parts of Jackson. I gained insight into how to present a business proposal and learned about the judicial system.
    David Caddle, St. Andrews Youth

Applications for LGJ are accepted year-round, but they are due no later than July 5, 2019 for the upcoming September class.