By Sarah Mahan

The Selma Times-Journal

Leadership Selma-Dallas County has been working for twenty years to promote leadership and community service opportunities in Selma and the surrounding community.

In a breakfast held at Vaughn Regional Medical Center next Friday, the leadership program will welcome its 20th class of residents interested in becoming more involved in their community.

Beth Taylor, the current director of Leadership Selma-Dallas County, said the program is a wonderful opportunity to not only become more familiar with Selma but work towards bettering the community.

“The adult leadership program is in its 20th year. I believe it has made the Selma citizens that participated more aware of things that are going on in their community and better ambassadors for our community,” Taylor said. “People love to down Selma, and we try to emphasize that things are working in Selma — and working well. It’s also a wonderful networking opportunity.”

Fran Pearce, a former director of Leadership Selma-Dallas County, agreed that networking is a huge advantage the program offers.

“The networking is probably the strongest benefit that comes from the program.  So often people feel that they are the only ones that really care about our area, but once a part of the Leadership Program they are encouraged and inspired about the opportunities and possibilities that are here,” Pearce said. “We just all need to get busy working together. No outsider can do for us what we can do for ourselves.”

Members of Leadership Selma-Dallas County attend a weekend retreat followed by a monthly class that focuses on different aspects of the community.

“We try to expose [our members] to everything possible,” Taylor said. “We focus on one particular area or field per month, which includes economic development, education, agricultural and industry, criminal justice, government, and community services.”

Taylor emphasized the need to expand the current number of members in the program. “We do have a small class this year, and we need new people. We want people to be interested in joining the leadership family by joining the program next year,” she said.

“Our members are not all necessarily from local business. We try to keep a diverse group.”

As new leadership members are welcomed next Friday, Taylor encouraged any leadership alumni to attend the Class XX Opening Breakfast — held Friday, July 26 at 7:30 a.m. at Vaughn Regional Medical Center.

“All leadership alumni are invited to the breakfast. We are looking forward to our 20th year,” Taylor said.