Twenty Spartanburg County residents are embarking on a new journey to improve the community by utilizing the skills they have developed through their participation in the 2013 Grassroots Leadership Development Institute. A graduation ceremony was held at First Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, September 17, 2013, with over 130 present to show their support. The celebration marked 10 years of the Institute, which has produced over 220 leaders who create positive social change in their communities at the grassroots level. These leaders serve their neighborhoods and communities by working with fellow residents to draw support for common goals and by encouraging others to act collectively to increase opportunity for themselves and their communities. Session topics included: developing leadership and organizational skills, strengthening communication ability, leveraging community assets, and strategic thinking and planning.
The Grassroots Leadership Development Institute is a special initiative of The Spartanburg County Foundation. This seven month leadership training program is designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skill-set, and resources to be effective in leading change at the grassroots level. Participants meet one Saturday a month to increase their ability to make a positive difference in their neighborhoods and in the greater Spartanburg community.
For the past seven years, the City of Spartanburg has joined the Foundation as a sponsor by sending several of the City’s local neighborhood leaders through the Institute, thereby increasing their ability to bring about significant change in their neighborhoods.
The 2013 Grassroots Leadership Development Institute graduates are: Walter R. Belton, Erin Carson, Halcott R. Carter, Ruth Davis, Marlanda V. Dekine, Kerry S. Easler, Ashley Eison, Katrena Foster, Paulette Fuller, Bobby D. Hardy, Jr., Jason L. Jackson, Stephen Keenon, Dr. Greg Moore, Kathy Pool, Lauren Rogers, Timothy Shelton, Bridgette Sims, Sandra Watson, Saville Williams, and Ethan Wofford.
Tuesday’s program featured remarks from Dr. Russell Booker, superintendent of Spartanburg County School District Seven, class reflections from 2013 graduate Marlanda V. Dekine, and alumni reflections from 2010 graduate and Grassroots Leadership Alumni Association chair, Antiwan Tate.
For more information regarding the Institute, please contact Tara Weese at The Spartanburg County Foundation at 864.582.0138 or tweese@spcf.org.
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