Youth Leadership Rutherford
Photo: Members of the 2011-2012 Youth Leadership Rutherford class visit the Equine Center at Middle Tennessee State University as they learn about Agriculture and Industry in Rutherford County.
Youth Leadership Rutherford is a selective personal development, civic education and community engagement initiative for high school juniors and seniors in Rutherford County. It is directed by the Leadership Rutherford Executive Director and Business Education Partnership Foundation Executive Director. Leadership Rutherford is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to community leadership development.
Youth Leadership Rutherford consists of an overnight weekend (Fri-Sat.) orientation program in September, seven seminar days from October - April and graduation in May. Each day focuses on a major area of community concern and explores issues of leadership within the context of the subject. The goal of each day is to open the minds of participants to the viewpoints that surround each issue and enable young people to become more visionary leaders. The program also includes six independent project assignments, a group project and journaling.
Applications are available in January for the following year.
"Since the orientation weekend in September, I have nothing but praise for the Youth Leadership Rutherford program...It gave me a better understanding of the definition of leadership and a more open mind about the different ways to lead. The individual project cards...taught me how to more effectively manage my time and how to prioritize...which I know will benefit me in the future."
"I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in Youth Leadership Rutherford and commend anyone who receives the honor to be in this program. Along with the activities you are already involved in at school, church, or home, you can always remember the values you've learned with YLR!"
"Youth Leadership Rutherford was a defining experience for me. This program encouraged me to take a leadership role and work wih others to server our community."
"The Business and Education Partnership has been successful in instilling a great love and respect for community and government within its young people. My experiences in Youth Leadership Rutherford can attest to this fact [….] The knowledge and exposure I gained through programs sponsored by the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce and the Business and Education Partnership have served me well in a variety of settings and mediums.
