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Leadership Barry County

Linking the community together

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Welcome to Leadership Barry County

Our Mission is to Develop and Link Leaders for Stronger Communities.

What is the cornerstone of leadership?

Leadership Barry County believes that the answer to this question is connection—it is the neighborhoods and communities of Barry County. The mission of Leadership Barry County is To Develop and Link Leaders for Stronger Communities. While this statement is brief, our work is broader and deeper than ever before.

Our roots reach back to 1989 when the W.K. Kellogg Foundation issued a grant to Michigan State University extension offices for leadership and local government education. Out of that grant, Leadership Barry County became the pioneer rural leadership program in southwest Michigan. The foundation of our work is an annual program for people who work or live in Barry County. Each year, a new class engages in this program to better understand community needs and resources, as well as key aspects of leadership. Important parts of this program include behind-the-scenes tours of Barry County, the state capitol building in Lansing, and our local courts and jail. Class members dive deep into topics such as diversity, communications, building consensus, and local and state government structure and financing. The capstone is a service project that is entirely planned and executed by the class.

Growth doesn’t stop with the program. Over the past 28 years, our network has grown to almost 500 program graduates. These alumni are offered continued opportunities to keep learning and connecting throughout West Michigan. Leadership Barry County also provides broader services to the community, such as workshops on running for public office and serving as a point of connection between non-profit organizations and potential board members. 

If you would like to recommend someone for the program, or if you are an alumni looking for resources or an opportunity to be more involved in the work of leadership, contact director Jillian Foster at the Barry Community Foundation: (269) 945-0526 or email jillian@barrycf.org.

News

1 week ago
How to Channel Employee Activism and Lead with Social Advocacy

This article from Inc. Magazine has great ideas for how to start social advocacy for your company.

The changing tide of employee activism as a force for good.

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3 weeks ago
Photos from Leadership Barry County's post

Here is the latest edition of The Leadership Link, a newsletter of Leadership Barry County. This month we are featuring Shauna Lea Swantek, a 2009 alumni of the LBC program!

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2 months ago
Dare to Lead Podcast | Brené Brown

Wanting to work on your leadership skills? Check out this great podcast, Dare to Lead by Brene Brown.

Conversations with change-catalysts, culture-shifters and more than a few troublemakers who are innovating, creating, and daring to lead.

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2 months ago

Happy Friday leaders!

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2 months ago

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1 year ago
Linking Leaders is the Heart of Leadership Barry County

There is still plenty of time to get signed up to join the 2020 class of Leadership Barry County! It starts on January 31 and ends April 16 and is comprised of nine sessions covering a variety of subjects including; communication, diversity, change management, and a tour of Barry County. We hope you will join us. ... See more

This program is designed to enhance leadership skills for individual growth, organizational improvement and increased community effectiveness. Barry County MI

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1 year ago
Photos from Leadership Barry County's post

The latest edition of The Leadership Link is here!

We are still accepting applications for LBC 2020. For more information or to apply visit www.leadershipbarrycounty.org.

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1 year ago
Leadership Barry County

When was the last time you thought about West Michigan? #ReThinkWM and attend the free happy hour event with employers. Learn about local businesses, network with employers, and meet locals. Find more info and register at https://goo.gl/H92xqv ... See more

Are you thinking about moving back to West Michigan and Barry County? Come check out this event out on Wednesday, November 27 at the Walldorff. You can learn about opportunities for living and working in this amazing area! ... See more

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1 year ago

Are you thinking about moving back to West Michigan and Barry County? Come check out this event out on Wednesday, November 27 at the Walldorff. You can learn about opportunities for living and working in this amazing area! ... See more

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1 year ago
Leadership Barry County's cover photo

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  • Home
    ▼
    • Board
    • History of LBC
    • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Development
    ▼
    • Leadership Barry County
    • Youth Quest
    • Other Learning Opportunities
    • Rotary Student Program
  • Photos
  • Alumni
  • Giving
  • Contact