a small group of local business people and community leaders discussed
the possibility of creating a program that would inform Terrebonne Parish
residents of issues facing the area with the hope that these participants
would then become more active contributors to and leaders in the parish.
This was the birth of the Leadership Terrebonne program.
Today,
as many as 30 community residents a year participate in the 10-month program
designed to promote the development of community leaders by providing
participants from diverse backgrounds with an understanding of the problems,
opportunities and issues facing the community. Led by a professional facilitator,
participants learn about featured topics from the decision-makers and
agency representatives who are considered local experts during day-long
sessions each month.
This includes presentations by local elected officials, the parish school superintendent, sheriff, hospital administrators and business owners, as well as recognized speakers like LSU's Dr. Loren Scott, who each year, provides an in-depth look at the state and local economy and his projections for the future.
Visits to local school, the parish prison system, LUMCON and non-profit agencies are also important to the full understanding of selected topics, and these tours are often highlights of the program.
Interaction is another key component to the success of Leadership Terrebonne,
not only between participants and featured guests, but between the participants
themselves. Through creative relationship-building exercises, Leadership
Terrebonne
participants learn more about each other, ways that they can work together
for the betterment of the parish, and contributions they can make to existing
community outreach activities. And while a few program graduates have
gone on to become elected leaders of our community, all alumni have come
away from the program with leadership skills beneficial in both their
professional and personal lives.
For more information about participating in an upcoming Leadership Terrebonne class or serving as a corporate sponsor of the program, please call (985) 872-1062.
