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Leadership Marengo’s 24th group of participants graduated on May 8. The program helps Marengo County residents refine their leadership skills, make connections and become more engaged in the community.

“It allows you to explore Marengo County while meeting others from around the county,” said Catherine Meador, a member of the executive committee for Leadership Marengo.

Leadership Marengo consists of five sessions lasting from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The sessions were held in September, November, January, March and May. Each one focused on a different topic including teamwork and diversity, economic development, education and healthcare, legislature and quality of life and tourism.

Each session also included multiple guest speakers and exercises to help participants enhance their communication, leadership and teamwork skills. Participants toured various places in Marengo County such as the courthouse and sat it on a county commission meeting. During the March session on legislature, Leadership Marengo along with YOUth Leadership traveled to Montgomery to tour the capital, hear from state leaders and sit in on an Alabama House of Representatives session.

“It allows them opportunities they never would have had without participating in this class. And all the while participating in different activities to strengthen their leadership skills,” Meador said.

Leadership Marengo meets in places all over the county for their sessions to encourage people from all over the county to participate.

Meador said that she wants “as many as we can, from the south end of the county to the north end of the county” to join in.

She also said that participants enjoyed engaging with each other, networking and exploring the county.

“It made them want to get more involved after participating,” Meador said.

Twenty-one people participated in this year’s program.

Leadership Marengo will begin accepting applications for the 25th class in August. Applications are available at the Demopolis Chamber of Commerce office, which is the organizing agency of the annual Leadership Marengo program.