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Institution:
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Prairie View A&M University |
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Texas Rural Leadership Program/Leadership Marion County (LMC) |
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| Target Audience: |
A very diverse group of citizens in Marion County seeking to improve their communities through education-based leadership training. Participants selected by residence, area of interest, profession, age and ethnic background. |
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Funding
Source(s):
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Texas
Forestry Service grant, Marion County Commissioners’ Court, City
of Jefferson, Marion County Hospital District, Cypress Valley Education
Center, Southwestern Electric Power Company, Texas Health Department,
local churches and organizations. |
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Program
Description: |
To
create a continuous pool of empowered, well-trained leaders in Marion
County. These leaders will, and have, become involved in city, county
and community government issues, are representatives on state and national
committees, received GED’s and higher-education degrees and will
obtain better jobs. Benefits to members include vision expansion, increased
participation in groups, new partnerships, aligning of resources, sharing
of leadership experiences and promoting 1890 programs. |
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Basic
Leadership Skills:
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Intermediate/Advanced |
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Texas
Rural Leadership Handbook or Student Manual Videos that promote and introduce the program and enhance various class sessions Resource speakers and educational tours R.O.P.E.S. Course, COLORS and other leadership and team-building processes |
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Before
LMC, Marion County had no clear-cut goals, endured a lack of communication
between local groups, suffered from a lack of jobs and had a great need
for industrial development. As a result of LMC, we have passed a half-cent
sales tax increase, created Jefferson Economic Development Corporation
(JEDCO), purchased 300-plus acres for a new Oriented Strand Board Plant,
and obtained a $300,000 grant to secure jobs for 160 people. LMC alumni
created the Minority Coalition for the Advancement of Economic Development,
which created the Marion County Diabetes Coalition and secured a $100,000
memorial scholarship fund, opened the door for a $3 million plus Environmental
Education Center that has aligned industry, colleges and universities
for placement in Marion County. One alumnus, now mayor of Jefferson,
was recognized as “Texas Small Town Rural Leader” this year.
The alumni group also coordinates the Jr. Leadership Academy for eighth-grade
students and is recognized as the top Texas Rural Leadership team in
the state. |
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Paulette
Cooper, Extension Agent, Cooperative Extension Program; 130 Kelly Park
Rd; Jefferson, TX 75657; Phone (903) 665-2421; Fax (903)665-1256. |
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