Leadership Marion County begins 2009 class sessions

Tina Groening leads a discussion on 21st Century Leadership during the opening session of Leadership Marion County last week.

The 2009 Leadership Marion County class sessions got under way Thursday, Feb. 5, as the five participants spent the morning at Tabor College in Hillsboro.

With instruction from former class members Tina Groening and Nicole Suderman, the first half of the session was an introduction to 21st Century Leadership.

?It is your responsibility as a servant leader,? Groening said, ?to listen generously, suspend judgment, care about people, focus on each person and recognize that all people have value and can contribute to the group.?

She also said a servant leader is responsible for paying attention, facilitating from the chair, question to help understanding, thinking creatively and believe in the group process?that the group can create a greater purpose.

One exercise class members were asked to do was think of a person who made an impact on their life and what qualities that person had.

The class members, representing Peabody, Florence, Marion and Hillsboro, had answers ranging from their spouse to a good friend to business acquaintances.

Jim Elliott, vice-president for advancement at Tabor, invited the class to lunch on campus and then gave a brief overview of the college.

Elliott also talked about his experience in a leadership group and what a positive influence it had on him.

He spoke about the college and how it offers a Christian education, designed to bring out the best in its students.

The next class will be an all-day trip to Topeka to experience a legislative session.

Other classes will include trips to Peabody, Tampa, Ramona, Marion, Goessel, Marion, Florence, and Lehigh.

The purpose of the program, leadership officials said, is to inspire others to maintain involvement in the social, business and political fabric of Marion County.

The class members are: Kristi Darnall, Florence; Teresa Huffman, Marion; Shane Marler, Hillsboro; Connie Omstead, Florence; Gregory Winn, Florence; and Patty Decker, Hillsboro.