TOTAL: Tipton Organized to Advance Leadership

"The greatest wealth of a community lies not in the amount of its treasures but in the quality of its leadership"

What is TOTAL?

The Total Leadership Program in Tipton County is a joint project of the Covington-Tipton County and South Tipton County Chambers of Commerce. The program, designed for both adults and youth, provides a learning experience to help develop community awareness and leadership skills. The program focuses on current issues and concerns facing communities in Tipton County.

What is the Benefit?

TOTAL provides a better understanding of the community. Participants will become motivated to discover their own leadership traits and become better informed, committed and qualified individuals who can contribute unique knowledge and skills to Tipton County.

Objectives

Adult. To identify and select highly-motivated emerging leaders; systematically inform, challenge and educate participants about community opportunities and needs; create a network among the participants and existing community leaders; and to identify organizational and individual opportunities for community involvement.

Youth. To identify, train and nurture potential leaders who might otherwise not be recognized; to further enhance and develop communication, decision making skills and varying approaches to leadership; to encourage initiative and creativity; to have an increased awareness of community needs, opportunities, problems and resources; to become responsible, ethical leaders committed to active community involvement.

Program Timeline and Information. The program begins in September each year and concludes in April of the following year. Sessions include: Leadership Development/Teambuilding, Criminal Justice, Quality of Life, Education, Economic Development, Health Care, and Government. Participants are required to complete a community project.

Who Can Participate?

Adult participation in TOTAL is open to any person living or working in Tipton County. An Advisory Board reviews applications solicited from all walks of community life to select a class of interested, motivated and concerned individuals who have a desire to offer their time and talents to improving their community. Criteria includes: sincere commitment, motivation and interest to serve the community; demonstrated commitment by past community activities; possession of potential or existing opportunities for advancement to top leadership positions within their own organizations, which may in turn, play a significant role in the community; and, occupational commitment to remain in Tipton County or not likely to be transferred within the immediate future.

Youth participation is open to any high school junior (11th grade) from Brighton, Covington and Munford High Schools, as well as, Tipton Rosemark Academy who are residents of Tipton County and who have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Final selection is made by an Advisory Board and is based on involvement in school and community organizations and activities; offices held; and, honors and awards.

Tuition. Adult tuition (2008) is $350. Youth tuition (2008) is $150. Costs include meals and transportation to and from program locations during sessions, program materials, etc. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from each session.

Applications. Adult applications are available at the Covington-Tipton County Chamber of Commerce or the South Tipton County Chamber of Commerce. Youth applications may be obtained at the area high schools listed above.

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