Leadership Athens County – Flagship (LAC) is a place-based and asset-focused leadership program, aimed at developing a corps of informed citizens to provide dynamic community leadership. LAC brings together emerging leaders to inform, connect, and inspire community-minded individuals to engage in service. LAC also helps participants develop and understand their own leadership style.
Over a 9-month course, LAC participants are challenged to question their understanding of Athens’ economic, political, social, and cultural landscape through discussions of current issues and conversations with community leaders. They learn about a complex array of topics including poverty, food insecurity, regional employment, economic development, housing, transportation, arts and culture, history, health care options, behavioral health, prisons, natural resources, and education – all while making important personal and professional connections.
Many of our 300-plus alumni still live and work in Athens County and – importantly – they call on each other (and us) to help solve problems, brainstorm new ideas, and feel connected to their community. These relationships and shared experiences provide fuel for future partnerships and co-creations.
Our Curriculum
Co-Created. Connected. Educated. Engaged.
Co-Created
From the retreat in September through graduation in May, participants engage in challenges to develop their individual strengths. Self-assessment and reflection are part of this process. Importantly, participants also engage with one another to co-create leadership development. Utilizing team challenges and feedback exercises, the participants help each other recognize and embrace their best qualities.
Connected
If it is all about who you know, LAC participants clearly have the advantage. The class increases participants’ networks in three distinct ways.
First, the class forms connections with each other. The opening retreat sets the stage for creating a cohesive team atmosphere. The class continues to grow and bond over the nine months that they spend laughing, sharing, and learning together. The connections grow stronger through leadership partner pairings and events.
Second, the class enjoys introductions to current community leaders throughout the county. Industry experts, business leaders, public officials, elected representatives, social watchdogs, academic thinkers, and many more lead the class in discussions about the resources and challenges in Athens County.
Third, the connections continue to grow after graduation with the Leadership Athens County Alumni Network. The alumni network creates opportunities for ongoing networking, collaboration , and support.
Educated
One comment we hear is, “I’ve lived in Athens all of my life, and I had no idea that this was going on!” This curriculum takes participants out of their own daily lives. It exposes them to innovative people and remarkable places in their own backyard. The county is our classroom. We travel to various locations throughout Athens County to discuss issues, tour facilities and meet with leaders on their turf.
Engaged
A phrase we often hear is, “so what are we going to do about this?” It is not unusual to see participants exchanging contact information with the speaker for collaboration. There is an amazing synergy created when leaders meet face to face to share their knowledge, resources, and challenges with each other in the spirit of creating a better community.
Applications are now open!
Flagship programming will take place from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM on the third Thursday of each month. Sessions will take place throughout Athens County as noted and includes on-site visits and tours, speakers, case studies and discussions, and group activities. Attendance is required at all sessions and all activities within session. This is the schedule for Flagship 2025.
| Date(s) | Theme | Location 1~ | Location 2~ |
| September 19-20, 2024 | Opening Retreat** | Hocking Hills | NA |
| October 17, 2024 | Outdoor Recreation, Arts, Culture | Stewart | Chauncey |
| November 21, 2024 | Healthy Communities | Nelsonville | Athens |
| December 19, 2024 | Infrastructure | Glouster | Athens |
| January 16, 2025 | Mid-program Retreat | Athens | NA |
| January 23, 2025 | Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging | Athens | NA |
| February 20, 2025 | Economics | Athens | Albany |
| March 20, 2025 | Housing | Millfield | Athens |
| April 17, 2025 | Food Access | Athens | Chauncey |
| May 15, 2025 | Closing Retreat | Nelsonville | Various |
| May 15, 2025, 5pm | Graduation | TBD | NA |
~Subject to change with adequate notice
**Attendance required for opening retreat, including overnight.