Weakley County Chamber of Commerce

If you would like an application for Leadership Weakley County, please click here: Word PDF.

NOTE: The application is provided in Microsoft Word 2000 format and Acrobat PDF format. To save either file to your harddrive, right-click the link and choose "Save".

Leadership 2008 pictures (PDF)
Leadership 2008 Final Project Presentation (PDF)

Leadership Weakley 2008 Program Schedule:

January 17 - 6pm, Introductory Reception
January 24 - Leadership Orientation
February 7 - Quality of Life Day
February 21 - Economic Development Day
March 12 - State Government Day / Nashville
March 27 - Education Day
April 10 - Agriculture in West TN Day
April 17 - Local Government / Tourism Day
April 29 - Graduation / UTM Ballroom

NOTE: all sessions begin at 8:30am

The History of Leadership Weakley County

Leadership Weakley County was originally organized in 1989 as Leadership Martin.

The program was sponsored by four Martin civic organizations: The Business and Professional Women's Club, the Pilot Club, Kiwanis Club and Rotary Club, along with the Weakley County Chamber of Commerce.

Two representatives from each of those organizations comprised the volunteer Board of Directors, which developed the program format. Members of this founding board included Larry Alexander, Otha Britton, Phyllis Pritchett, Barbara Dressel, John Rainone, Mike Ripski, Robert M. Smith, Suezane Speight, Sherre Weeks and Bob Wiseman.

The first series of six class sessions began in the spring of 1990 with a class of nine participants. It soon became evident that a countywide program would be more beneficial not only to the county, but the citizens of Martin as well.

The leadership program evolved from that point into Leadership Weakley County, which is now recognized as one of the strongest and best programs in the state. Class membership is limited to around 20 each year, quite an increase from that small class of nine just years ago. The Weakley County Chamber of Commerce now coordinates the program. A 14-member Board of Directors, consisting of alumni, plans the class sessions. They serve two-year rotating terms.

In 1993, the board considered starting a youth leadership group. Financial and personnel constraints did not make this feasible, so the decision to include one high school student from each of the high schools was made. These students have been some of the most outstanding participants. Leadership Weakley County was one of the first programs to integrate high school students into an adult program.

The leadership program was first funded through contributions from the sponsoring civic organizations and tuition of $250 per participant. The program has been strongly supported by local businesses and industries, which has allowed the Board of Directors to keep the tuition affordable. Tuition for high school students is $125 and is usually sponsored by civic organizations in the students' respective hometown.

In 1999, the Leadership Weakley County Class decided to select as their project the implementation of a Youth Leadership County Program. They secured a financial donor and called the program Community First Youth Leadership of Weakley County because of the donors being the Community First Bancshares, Inc. (Weakley County Bank, City State Bank, and the Bank of Sharon/Community Bank of Greenfield). The program would allow twenty (20) students from the area high schools to participate and would be limited to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors for the first two years then Sophomores from then on. The program went into effect January 2000.

Innovative class projects have included "welcome" signs on the main streets and highways entering the five incorporated Weakley County cities; a promotional brochure used by the Chamber, compiling a directory of community service organizations; a brochure outlining the services of the Weakley County Health Department; a gun safety program for first and second graders; a gang awareness video and other worthwhile accomplishments have benefited the community. The Class of 1996 and 1997 worked on and completed the Governor's Award for Community Economic Preparedness.

Leadership Weakley County continues to be an enriching experience to those who are willing to make the commitment required to complete the program. The reward of participation is ongoing, both to the community, which has a perpetual group of interested and informed citizens.