| 316 W. Commerce St. | Hernando, Mississippi | 38632 | 662-429-4414 | fax 429-0952 |  |
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Leadership DeSoto is a program sponsored by the DeSoto Council and directed toward individuals in DeSoto County who demonstrate leadership potential. Leadership DeSoto provides participants an opportunity to learn more about the community in which they live and work and to better understand the opportunities and challenges facing DeSoto County.
The Program
Leadership DeSoto is s seven-month long program beginning in November with a two-day retreat on a Thursday and Friday. All participants are required to attend both days, which include an orientation session and a ropes course.
The class meets once monthly, December through May, following the opening session. Topics covered in these sessions include healthcare, education, economic development, and local and state government, including a trip to Jackson to meet with key legislators. A graduation program is held in May to celebrate the completion of the program.
In addition to attending regular meetings, participants are required to work on a community service project. The large class will be divided into five or six small groups, each of which will meet, develop, and complete a project which addresses a community need.
Participants
Candidates for Leadership DeSoto may be nominated by organizations, employers or individuals, or they may self-nominate. The class is limited to 30 men and women representing diverse vocational disciplines and geographical distribution.
Each applicant will be expected to complete and return a detailed application. A selection committee will review each application. Participants will be chosen on the basis of community involvement, leadership capabilities, and potential in their respective fields. Participants are required to live or work in DeSoto County.
Expectations
Participants are required to attend the opening and graduation sesions, and may miss no more than one monthly meeting. Participants are also expected to share responsibilities in the planning and implementation of the group project.
One of the most important goals of Leadership DeSoto is to create a continuing flow of strong, community-minded alumni. These alumni should have a strong sense of the needs of the community and have the knowledge and skills necessary to address those needs.
Tuition
Tuition for Leadership DeSoto is $700 per participant. This fee covers expenses such as meeting fees, lunches, and other items. A limited number of scholarships covering half the cost of tuition are available.