What is Leadership Putnam?
Leadership Putnam is a program sponsored by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce and the University of Georgia’s Fanning Leadership Foundation. It is a program that provides instruction, information and assists citizens in developing leadership skills as well as teaching them about this community. Our Program began in 1990 and has graduated 12 classes.
What does the class consist of?
Leadership Putnam consists of classes, each held in a different location, a tour of county properties and other locations of interest, a weekend retreat, two ropes courses, and a lot of interaction with other members in your community. Each class is diverse in age, race, sex and occupation. A time commitment must be made by both the participant and their family in order to graduate. The classes begin in January and run approximately every Thursday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. for the next 10 weeks. Also included in the schedule are three Saturday classes and a weekend retreat.
Graduation requires that students must not miss more than two sessions. The community tour is optional. However, we encourage all students to take the tour, as it will be difficult for them to discuss parts of our county if they do not have the working knowledge. The weekend retreat is mandatory due to the number of classes covered. The program ends with graduation where guests and spouses are invited to attend.
How much does Leadership Putnam cost for a student?
The cost to produce Leadership Putnam is approximately $500 per student. However, because of the importance of this program, we are able to raise most of the funds by corporate sponsorship. We do require that students or their company make a commitment of $100. All retreat expenses are covered except dinner on Friday night, lunch on Sunday and transportation. In the past, we have car-pooled and shared expenses. If a prospective student feels that he or she cannot participate in the program due to financial constraints, they may contact our office as we have a limited amount of funds that we may be able to support them with. We encourage students to inform their employers that they have been nominated. Most are willing to work with their employees when work and class schedules conflict and many of them will be contacted to ask for their financial support in sponsorships.
How do I join the next Leadership Putnam Class?
Nomination forms are mailed out during the last quarter of the year. To be considered for Leadership Putnam, a person must be nominated by two people within the community. A nomination committee of Leadership Putnam graduates is selected to review the applications and choose the participants.
How has Leadership Putnam affected the community?
Leadership Putnam creates a more educated and motivated community. Several graduates choose to become involved in an organization which works for the cause that they are most interested in, such as economic development within Eatonton Better Hometown. Other graduates have grouped together to renovate the old Eatonton grammar school on Madison Avenue into The Arts Center, which has taken years of work and dedication. Another example of graduates bettering the community is getting involved with the FERST Foundation for Childhood Literacy.
Leadership Graduates
