Leadership program directors to meet in South Carolina for first time

Published: September 23, 2009

image by: Leadership South Carolina

CHARLESTON – Leadership South Carolina will host the 2009 Annual Meeting of State Leadership Directors Sept. 30-Oct. 3, the first time the Palmetto State has hosted the event.

During four days of meetings, directors of leadership programs from 11 states will discuss issues facing their regions, including unemployment, the economy and workforce training.

Directors from states as diverse as California, Michigan, Kansas and Louisiana will attend meetings at the Mills House Hotel in downtown Charleston and at the Sand Dunes Club on Sullivan’s Island.

Guest speakers include Margaret Seidler, an organization development consultant and master trainer whose practice includes leadership development, team building and conflict resolution; and Linda Hoke, who directs the Council on the Southern Community and the Southern Growth Policies Board alliance with the Southern Consortium of University Public Service Organizations.

Leadership South Carolina executive director Helen Munnerlyn said the group also will discuss the importance of developing and identifying emerging leaders and how those leaders help improve the quality of life in their states.

“This meeting provides an opportunity to showcase Charleston and our state and learn how other states do things,” Munnerlyn said. “Though we face challenges, it’s good to have something positive to say about South Carolina.”

Leadership South Carolina is supported by the Clemson University Institute for Economic and Community Development at the Sandhill Research and Education Center in Columbia.

The program was established in 1979 to provide gifted and highly motivated South Carolinians an opportunity to advance their leadership skills while broadening their understanding of issues facing the state.

Each year, individuals are selected through a competitive process. Selection is based on an applicant’s demonstrated abilities as a leader and on their past records of service in a leadership capacity.

The 46-member Class of 2010 met for the first time Sept. 9. During the nine-month program the class will meet with statewide experts in a variety of fields to explore quality of life, economic development, education and social issues.

The class will meet business executives, community and government leaders and others who will encourage them to pursue positive change in South Carolina.

The class will graduate in April.

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