Class of 1999-2000

Gateway to Community Service For Youth

Mission Statement:

“Educating and motivating youth to lifetime community service in Hancock County”

Problem Analysis:

Lack of service opportunities
Items brought up at Social Issues Day
Decline in volunteerism
Recruiting practices

Action Plan:

Complete appointment of board of directors and hold retreat
- Elect officers and create curriculum
Develop brochure describing the program and inviting applicants
Recruit speakers/presenters, locate meeting places.
Distribute brochure and advertise program
Meet with local service agencies that are interested in participating
Finalize planning, begin reviewing applications.
Make final selections of participations and notify them

Group Members:

Sandy Abel
Teri Dunlavy
Rob Jackson
Hope Moran
Dorothy Swanson-Glancy

Public Information Access- Virtual Courthouse

Recognizing the Problem:

Hancock County did not have access to the latest technology for County officials, or resident

Analysis of the Problem:

Interviewed County Officials
- All believed that county needed electronic GIS as well as “Virtual Courthouse”
- Reduces phone calls
- Saves money from mailings
- Forms available online for residents/businesses

Action Plan:

Offer offices access to Internet
Offices to develop “wish lists”
Technology training
Communicate needs to task force
Obtain funding

Group Members:

Tim Higbie
Ann Johnson
Nancy Simpson

With another program year completed, the Leadership Hancock County Board of directors will turn toward the coming year, which begins in September.

The board's Curriculum Committee has been meeting to discuss possible changes to the program. One goal is to introduce more study of leadership concepts and traits. Look for those changes to be in place by the time the Team-Building Retreat begins in September.

One major change that's already in place: A new, tech-heavy Scavenger Hunt for the retreat. As part of a community project undertaken by 2018 class members Jason Wells, George Plisinski, Stacey Wixson and Diane Petry, members of the 2018-19 class will use an app called "GooseChase" as part of the longtime team-building exercise.

The LHC board also will install new officers soon and will be writing a budget for the 2018-19 academic year.

Founded in 1996, Leadership Hancock County was conceived as a pipeline of sorts for emerging leaders. Since then, more than 400 people have gone through our program. On that roster of graduates are CEOs, political leaders, educators and key managers in dozens of organizations.
Our program works to foster leadership skills in promising students in an immersive, eight-month study of our communities and the qualities that go into making strong leaders. Along the way, enrollees learn how to work as part of a team, and they gain valuable insights into how to communicate effectively and contribute to their organizations in impactful ways.
If you or someone in your organization is on a leadership track in your organization, we'd love to hear from you.