The Leadership Pillar

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Why should Leadership be a pillar in the HomeTown Competitiveness initiative?  The Heartland Center for Leadership Development has devoted more than two decades of research on thriving communities to answer the question: "What's behind success in thriving rural communities?"

And the answer to that questions is "What local leaders say and do."

Leadership ensures community and economic development over time and represents the irreplacable human resource that drives change for the better.

The mission of the Leadership Pillar is to mobilize local leaders. Our job is to offer training and encouragement to potential leaders so that they will step up to responsible leadership roles and to motivate current leaders to continue to serve in the best interests of Washington County.

We have one  resource to help reach our goal:  Awareness Washington County.  Since 1982, AWC  has been an important asset to our community, training well over 500 local residents in leadership skills. AWC graduates represent all segments of our population in terms of geography, age, economic status, and education.  Despite the small size of Washingnton County, AWC has achieved a national reputation among leadership organizations as being on the cutting edge of leadership training.

AWC's goal, like that of HTC, is to build a better community. AWC teaches servant leadership, creating leaders who create leaders who create leaders. Through AWC, participants discover their leadership strengths . Many class members come to the program not believing that they are already leaders. Others have served in leadership roles for many years but want to improve their skills. During the activities and discussions, members learn that they what their personal leadership skills are and when and how to use them.

The nine-month program begins with a two-day overnight retreat in September. Monthly meetings are held October through May, generally at the AWC building on West Joseph Street.

Developing leadership in young people is critical for the future of our community. Awareness Washington County has a program for teens. AWC We the Youth builds leadership skills in young people from all three county schools and home-schooled freshmen and sophomores.

One challenge the Leadership Pillar and all of WCHTC faces is building community capacity. We must enable a large number of people to experience what working in a collaborative manner looks like and how it can benefit the community as a whole.  In order for a community to grow and prosper, the individuals in the community have to work together toward common goals. We need many leaders who understand and care about the community. 

Other information about Awareness Washington County: