Leadership class deadline nears

By Tom Bailey Jr., Commercial Appeal
August 24, 2007

A breakfast to recruit applicants for the next Leadership Collierville class drew about 80 people to Town Hall on Thursday morning.

Republican state Sen. Mark Norris offered advice to the fledgling leaders who may wonder if they have time to commit to the class.

"The answer is you don't have time not to," Norris said. "For the sake of your soul and for the sake of the community's soul."

The organization will accept applications for the Class of 2008 through Aug. 31. The class will be limited to 25 to 30 people.

Among the 80 people gathered were several of the 285 alumni who have graduated since the program started in 1994.

Two Class of 2007 grads shared their experiences.

Maureen Myers said her whole family -- her husband and two children -- have graduated from either the adult or youth Leadership Collierville.

Bob Riley said he participated in Leadership Collierville after living in town seven years and not knowing much about the place.

Riley said he was particularly impressed to learn how sophisticated the police and fire departments are. "Far beyond anything I expected," he said.

Norris has been a member of two different leadership classes, Leadership Memphis and WestStar, which is for West Tennessee leaders.

"What you will learn is there are different ways for all of us to serve," he said.

"You don't have to run for public office."

Not only does the town need informed citizens that Leadership Collierville creates, it also needs a pool of potential new leaders for the next generation, Norris said.

He described it as strengthening "the herd."

Norris offered his keystones for leadership: accepting responsibility; learning to observe and observing to learn; keeping an open mind; being comfortable with admitting you don't know something; looking for new opportunities and not squandering opportunities.

He also advised the audience to "first do well and then do good."

Before trying to assume a leadership position, be a servant, he said. "Lead through service to the community."