NEWS

Mercer County Leadership Academy Recruiting Members for 2014

Staff Writer
Aledo Times Record

The Mercer County Leadership Academy is recruiting members for its 2014 professional development program.  The purpose of the Academy is to build skills and provide a vision and organizational tools for community leaders who live and work in Mercer County, IL.  The 2014 Academy has been revamped and will consist of a series of 6 meetings that offer professional development programs as well as pertinent information about Mercer County.  New this year, participants will have a chance to put their knowledge to work on a team project to benefit a local non-profit.  Non-profit agencies that have a project they would like the Mercer County Leadership Academy members to assist with may contact   organizers for information on how to put in their request for support.  The Mercer County Leadership Academy is organized by the Mercer County YMCA and University of Illinois Extension.   

This year’s schedule of meetings will take place Fridays, February 21 – March 28 from 7 - 9 a.m. at Mercer County YMCA Children’s School in Aledo, IL. Here are the topics:

February 21     Orientation/Introductions, Real Colors, & Meet the Generations Training

February 28:    Project Leadership, Review Options and Select Community Service Project

March 7:          Public Speaking, Work on Community Project

March 14:        Fun Facts and History of Mercer County, Tour Mercer County Courthouse

March 21:        Conflict Resolution

March 28:        Work on Community Project

April 3rd Graduation Features Motivational Speaker Dave Leedy

The Graduation will take place on Thursday, April 3 from 5:30 – 8 p.m. It will feature the renowned motivational speaker Dave Leedy and his program “An Offer You Can’t Refuse”.  Teams will also share their Community Service Project Reports and enjoy networking with Leadership Academy alumni.  The event will take place the at the YMCA’s Children’s School, in Aledo, IL. 

The cost to participate in the 2014 Mercer County Leadership Academy is $100.  To register or for more information, contact Sarah Brown, Executive Director, Mercer County Family YMCA, (309) 582-5101 or email sarah.brown@mercercountyymca.org