Representatives of the three Whitley County school corporations recently met in a town-hall format with current LWC class members. The engaging dialogue focused primarily on budget issues and other challenges and opportunities facing the corporations. One LWC class participant stated "I learned a great deal from the school board panel. It was helpful to gain a better insight into how processes are handled. The panel has given me a greater knowledge base to make more informed decisions and have a more informed opinion!" while another class member offered the following; "I was so amazed at what I learned. Very eye opening. I really want to go to a school board meeting and be more involved now." Each Leadership Whiltey County session incorporates an awareness segment featuring local information pertinent to our community or the class. Pictured are, from left, Jorell Tucker, LWC alumni and board member of Whitko School Corporation; Don Armstrong, Whitley County Consolidated School Board of Trustees; Mike Sturgis, Smith-Green Community School Corporation.

The Old Settlers Day Association and Northeastern REMC’s Operation Round-Up recently made scholarship donations to the Leadership Whitley County program.    The funds will be utilized to provide tuition assistance for class members in the ninth class of LWC which kicks-off September 15.  Income from the Old Settlers Day Festival is distributed each year to various worthwhile organizations in Whitley County.  This is the first time the OSD Association has supported the county’s unique servant leadership program.

Operation Round-Up is a program implemented by Northeastern REMC that allows co-op customers to support worthy causes in their community.  The voluntary program allows REMC customers to “round-up” their monthly electric bill to the next highest dollar.  This is the second time Operation Round-Up has generously granted funds to the LWC program.

Jim Brock (left) of the Old Settlers Day Association stands with LWC Program Director Kelley Sheiss following the presentation of two partial scholarships for LWC particpants

By providing tuition assistance, these local organizations are helping to mold better leaders for business and community.  Leadership Whitley County thanks them for their support.   To date, 149 individuals have participated in LWC.  The incoming class will have 20 participants, the largest group in over five years. 

Cindy Materna (left) of Northeastern REMC recently presented LWC Program Director Kelley Sheiss grant funds awarded from the Operation Round-Up program