Leadership Oak Ridge - About Us - Experience

Beginning with the 2009 program year, the Leadership Oak Ridge program starts in February and ends in October. With eleven sessions, including a Graduation Celebration, class members actively participate in community issue discussions. For example, in 2009 sessions have featured topics such as:

• Oak Ridge’s Regional Neighbors & Partners
  Who and what impacts Oak Ridge’s success?
• State Government/Trip to Nashville
  What are the leadership challenges in state government?
  How do decisions in state government impact you?
• Residential Development
  What are the opportunities and challenges?
• Team Building & Leadership Development
  What is your leadership style and how you can work best with others
• Oak Ridge Economics 101
  What “churns” the Oak Ridge economy?
• Quality of Life
  What makes Oak Ridge special?
• Education
  Education—important 60 years ago; critical today!

In addition, a two day retreat kicks off the 10-month commitment so class members can interact in an informal environment. Each session includes an application element to demonstrate an example of leadership. And, class members are required to participate in out-of-class assignments to garner more information and experiences. The last session prior to graduation is committed to class members reporting to each other about their experiences and what they plan to become involved in – where they plan to “make a difference.”