Commitments

The program year begins with an overnight retreat (Friday-Saturday) the second weekend in September at Fit Farm in Castalian Springs.  Class members learn about different types of leadership, leadership attributes and individual leadership styles through a series of ice-breaking exercises, team-building activities, a personality analysis and self-assessments.  Gathering around the campfire for social hour is a highlight of the Fall Retreat.  Casual attire is the rule.

The Mid-Year Retreat is a full day program held on a Saturday in early January.  Classmates review highlights and takeaways from the first four months of the class year, discuss their independent reading assignments and observations made while attending meetings of the board of education, county commission and city council, and participate in facilitated exercises to enhance their leadership skills.

Program days, which are designed to promote interest and awareness of local issues and challenges, provide a rare opportunity to interact with community leaders in government and educational, business, civic, and nonprofit organizations.
 
Class members make site visits throughout the county during program days where they observe, learn about, and discuss the challenges and opportunities related to the day’s thematic subject.  Program day highlights include facility tours, panel discussions, workshops, Q & A sessions, and presentations by leading educators, innovative business executives, first responders, elected officials and healthcare professionals.

Program days take place on the second Wednesday of the month from October – December and February – May.  The Mid-Year Retreat substitutes for the January program day.  Program days typically run from 7:30 am until 4:30 pm.
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Participants may miss only one program day during the year.  We encourage candidates to review the program day requirement with their employers before submitting applications to Leadership Sumner.

Business casual is appropriate dress for most program days.  Closed-toe shoes and slacks are required for Law Day. Professional attire is mandatory during State Government Day.  In respect for those who make themselves available to Leadership Sumner during program days, we ask class members to restrict their cell phone use to designated break times only.

Between the Fall Retreat and the Mid-Year retreat, participants are asked to complete a few additional requirements on their own schedule. Attendance at the meetings listed below may certainly be done in groups with other class members.

Attend at least one each:

• Sumner County Commission Meeting – 3rd Monday each month; Sumner County Administration building in Gallatin
• Sumner County School Board Meeting – 3rd Tuesday each month; Sumner County Schools Education Central Office in Gallatin
• Municipal Board meeting – See local government website for meeting patterns and locations
• Law Enforcement ride along – Class members will be provided contact information at local LEO offices to arrange a ride along shift with a patrol officer.