Marion County Adult Leadership Given South Shore Grant
November 2006

Adult Leadership Program Receives South Shore Grant Misty Krug-Pitchford (left), with South Shore Foundation Board Members Judy Loving (center) and Jodie Elizabeth Jeffrey, views a big check representing the recent $1,500 grant from the foundation to the Marion County Adult Leadership program. The grant helps supports leadership training offered for Marion County residents in a series of sessions annually and through ongoing projects in the county. Mrs. Krug-Pitchford was a co-facilitator for the 2005 leadership training program and is a leadership group board member.

South Shore Foundation renewed its support of the Marion County Adult Leadership program when it approved a $1,500 grant at its last board meeting. In recent years, the adult leadership course of up to 10 meetings has been held in the fall.

Participants study economic development, teamwork, leadership, technology, meet with government leaders, travel to the state capital and Arkansas 4-H Center for a ropes course -- an exercise that helps improve communication within a group.

According to co-facilitator for the 2005 program, Tera Payne, “The leadership program also provides training and motivation to the members so they will be encouraged to become more involved in making Marion County a better place to live and work.”

South Shore Foundation members received letters of thanks for their past support and comments from graduates about the importance of the program and how informative the sessions were concerning Marion County’s strengths as well as its needs. Alumni of the MCAL currently sponsor the Arkansas Scholars™ program in Marion County high schools and the Arkansas Community of Excellence program.

Participants of each year’s program pay $75 tuition, and additional financial support has been given by Entergy, Ranger Boats, area banks, and individuals. The 15 members of the 2005 class were employed by the city and county governments, four banks, a restaurant, a medical office, an insurance agency, and a school. Members of this year’s class are selected by existing South Shore Marion County Adult Leadership members, with a target class size of 15-20.

South Shore Foundation is the charitable foundation of NATCO, a family-owned and operated independent telecommunications company serving portions of Marion and Boone Counties. For more information, call 1-800-775-6682.