By GLENDA CAUDLE: Special Features Editor; The Messenger
"You got to see things a lot of people take for granted," Charley Deal told members of the 2015-16 Obion County Adult Leadership Class.
He was referring to the nine sessions that serve to acquaint Obion Countians with the many positive aspects of industry, business, education, the arts, medical care, media, local government and law enforcement in their part of the Volunteer State.
In addition to those important locally-focused opportunities, members of each year's class begin their adventure with a team building day in early fall, using that time to settle on a class project, as well. They also take a trip to Nashville for Legislative Day, where they meet Tennessee's secretary of state - this year's class was introduced to Tre Hargett - and spend time with the senators and representatives from this area who take their interests and concerns to the state Capitol.
Many graduates of the classes, which started in 1986, with the Obion County Adult Leadership Class of 1986-87, go on to assume leadership roles at both the county and city level, supporters say.
Deal is responsible for the WestStar program that expands such a focus to much of West Tennessee and frequently accepts alumni of Obion County Leadership into its ranks. He encouraged members of the 2015-16 class to keep in mind the experiences they have had as they go about their daily activities.
"Use it to sell your county to other people," he urged. "I challenge you to stay involved and to lead by example. Be vocal, but learn to listen, as well. And be committed to making Obion County even better."
Greg Dozier, a former member of the class and president of the board of directors, used his portion of the Thursday night program to call attention to the TALC Award won by the Obion County Leadership effort. The local organization competed with 80 other such programs to claim the prize as the top Tennessee Association of Community Leadership Programs last October.
Class members Nicole Kincade and Jennifer Slack presented the class project and described the contact effort that allowed the class to contribute $2,500 to help the City of Hornbeak finance a helipad for the town. The class members were also able to give more than $1,400 to the "Backpack" project that provides food for students in Union City and Obion County systems when school is not in session.
Three class members - Laura Waggoner, Tammy Sparks and Ms. Kindcade - were recognized for perfect attendance during the months' long program.
Dozier welcomed those attending, who were treated to a technological photo display of class activities played out on The Venue at Center Point Business Solutions' large screen, and presented plaques to mark the class members' completion of the program. He also offered closing remarks.
Phyllis Rauchle, who has been associated with the program since 2010, when she went through as a student and used the experience to prepare her to become director in 2011, introduced Deal, following an invocation by class member Rebecca Mueller and a meal shared by other class members, their guests, members of the board of directors and special guests.
Class members included Mrs. Waggoner, Mrs. Sparks, Ms. Slack, Matt Sanner, Jason Revell, Regina Pinion, Ms. Mueller, Corey McDaniel, Ms. Kincade, Barry Keathley, Flynn Jowers, Travis Johnson, Rob Holman, Gordon Fox, Bill Dahnke, Wendy Dalton, Damon Chandler and Gordon Bruff.
It was announced that Johnson and Ms. Kincade had been selected by their class to serve on the Leadership Obion County board of directors, joining Michele Barnes, Charlene Burpo, Jennifer Eason, Emily Hall, Amber Jones, Seth Rhenberg, Lolly Bearden, Carolina Conner, Lindsay Frilling, David Harris, Katie Keathley, Holly Turner, Michelle Bing, Lisa Davis, John Fry, Mandy Hinson, Dustin McBride and Donnie Walton.
The Obion County Adult Leadership Class of 2016-17 will begin sessions in late September or early October, according to Mrs. Rauchle. She will begin accepting applications in June at
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