Athens, Ga. (Sept. 7, 2006) – Thirty-one employees from Bartow County government, private and non-profit organizations recently kicked off an annual eight-month leadership training program at the University of Georgia’s Fanning Institute.

Leadership Cartersville-Bartow, held August 25-26, brought together both new and established community leaders to encourage team building, provide networking opportunities and offer leadership training.

“The kickoff gives participants an opportunity to develop personal relationships with one another so that they can begin to have honest conversations about the challenges facing their communities,” said Dionne Rosser-Mims, leadership development specialist at UGA’s Fanning Institute.

The group participated in team-building activities such as the ropes course as well as individual personal assessments.

“We kick off the program here on the [Fanning Institute’s] ropes course because we learn to trust each other and form bonds,” said Angela McClure, vice president and chief operating officer for the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber of Commerce, which sponsored the two-day program.

Participants will learn more about their community throughout the eight-month program by exploring topics such as economic development, government, health and wellness, education, and community service.

But it’s the kick-off at the Fanning Institute that “gives participants a history with each other,” said Danny Bivins, a public service assistant at the Fanning Institute. “After being here, they’re more likely to go back to their jobs and pick up the phone and talk to each other when they have a problem or an idea.”

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This article was posted on Thursday, September 7th, 2006 at 9:09 am and is filed under News.