Leadership Wilson Group Projects
"Never Doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret mead
Your Leadership Wilson class will be selecting topics identified as major problems/issues/opportunities facing our county. As leaders, you will want to address these topics and seek permanent solutions.
Project Outcome
Each team will define a project resulting in a tangible end product that will be completed by the end of the program year. Additionally, at year-end, each team should be able to articulate the group leadership skills gained and applied, and the process used to complete the project.
Project Purposes
To provide opportunities for participants to obtain “hands-on” experiences and information about the community, and to channel their individual interests to promote positive change that enhances the lives and well-being of the citizens of Wilson County;
To provide an opportunity for class members to apply leadership skills and new information toward an end product;
To provide a continuing, small-group experience for class members; and
To provide an opportunity for class members to become involved with people in the community as collaborators in a common effort.
Project Criteria
Teams will have considerable latitude in choosing a project. Projects should be, however, consistent with the general purposes and values of Leadership Wilson, and teams should choose an area new and challenging to most, if not all, members of the team. Projects may not be solely religious in nature, have a primary purpose of soliciting funds for a community organization, or advocating for a partisan or non-partisan political purpose, or provide a direct benefit to an organization employing a team member or having a team member on its board. Projects should be original in nature or at least with a new twist.
The following criteria should be used to assess all project proposals:
Is the project oriented toward action on the study group’s part?
Does the project address a pressing need in the community?
Is the project well defined?
Can the project be completed by graduation?
Project Team Membership
Project teams will consist of six or seven people (five teams). Class members will be assigned to teams by Dorie. Time, effort, energy, and creativity are the principal resources that the individuals will bring to these teams.
Approval and Accountability
By consensus, a proposal outlining the chosen project must be submitted to the Executive Director by December 31 or before. The Director may ask for project updates at any time.
Project Ownership
All products become the property of Leadership Wilson, Inc. Copyrights or patents should be filed in the name of Leadership Wilson, Inc.
Publicity and Funding Issues
Any press releases, advertising copy, brochure designs or other promotional materials or publicity using Leadership Wilson’s name must be submitted for approval by the Executive Director in advance of their public use. Leadership Wilson does not fund projects. Teams are encouraged to design projects that do not require raising funds. Any fundraising (including in-kind requests or requests to team member’s employers) must be project related and must be cleared in advance with the Executive Director. Teams must not commit to spending money that is not secured.
Project Presentation
Project Teams will present their project at the annual Leadership Wilson Alumni Luncheon, held in late March.
1996:
Recreational Outlets in County for Youth
Newspaper Tabloid on Family Services
County Growth Impact Fees
Commercial Building Guide Book
Image of Education in Wilson County
Evaluation tool for Leadership Wilson Program
1997:
Parent to Parent Workshops
Helping Hands License Plate program
SRO Phone Crisis Line
Historical Driving Tour
Skills for Entry-level Jobs
1998:
Fund-raiser for Adult Reading Council
Web page Linking Towns
Welcome Sign for Lebanon
Research for a Juvenile Detention Center
Planning City Park in Mt. Juliet
1999:
[Requested projects from community]
Asset Building in Wilson County (CU)
First Wheels (DHS)
Emergency Housing for Homeless/Transients (Help Center)
Tracking GED Graduates (AEDC)
Assets for Youth in County (STARS)
Public Awareness Campaign for Youth Emergency Services (YES)
2000:
Bike Trails
Promotion of ARTRAIN Visit to Watertown
Disaster Relief Plan for Property Owners
Network of Social Services Agencies
Needs Assessment of Health and Social Services Agencies
Continuation of 1999’s Asset Building in Wilson County
2001:
Relocation Information on Website for Wilson County
Update Website for Wilson County Schools
Operation Job Fair
Directory of Important Numbers for Senior Citizens
Planted Trees at Schools in all three Municipalities
2002:
Quarterly Tourism Brochure/placemats with Events
Volunteer Fairs at local Businesses
Career Counseling in Schools; Chat with a Professional
Hispanic Awareness – CPR Classes in Spanish
Develop a Tri-chamber Beautification Foundation
2003:
Formed a Diabetes Support Group
Envision Wilson – Creating a Community Vision
Affordable Housing Brochure
Volunteers in Public Education (VIPe) – a talent pool for teachers
Power Point Presentation for Teen Court
2004:
VISION 2015
Core Team – Provided Methodology and Support for Project
Health and Social Services
Education
Infrastructure
Business & Industry
Recreation
2005:
UNITED WAY AGENCIES
Drive to Survive Video
Empower Me Daycamp – Fundraiser
Provided Safe Kids I. D. Kits
HelpSource – database of charitable and governmental agencies
Extreme Makeover at Youth Ranch
2006:
EDUCATION
Speakers’ Directory
Adult Learning Center Addition
Assist Junior Achievement with Database
Business/school Partnerships
Handbook for Teen Lifeskills
2007:
CHILDREN & YOUTH
Backpack Program for Watertown
Children’s and Teen’s areas at Lebanon Public Library
Express Wilson County: Get on Board
Benefit for HomeSafe
School Bullying
2008:
The Vial of Life
Play it Forward
Restoration of the Courthouse Clock
Recruitment of TN Technology Center in Wilson County
Wilson County Pet Finders
2009:
The IKE Program
Hope Builders – Brooks House
Awareness for the Community Help Cener
Book of Many Colors – PSA
MJ Senior Citizens Ctr.
2010:
Nivens Home for Veterans
Brooks House Fundraiser
Charis Health Center Awareness
Empower Me Daycamp
MJ Community Help Center
2011:
Power of One
College Fair for Students with Disability
911 Awareness
Homeless Students
Senior Needs
2012:
Get Fit Wilson – Health Fair
Move Across Wilson – Get Up, Get Fit, Get Healthy
Guiness Book of World Records – 100 Meter Relay
2013:
Drain the Vein – Blood Drive in all High Schools
Celebrating Beauty – Special Needs Beauty Pageant
Wilson County Help Quest – Database for Services
The Open Book Society – Adult Learning Center
Leadership Wilson Alumni Luncheon
2014:
Anti-Bullying Video
Wilson Vision – Feeding Hungry Children
Think Before You Press – Teen Texting
Volunteer Wilson
Jere’s Ride
2015:
Continuation of Jere’s Ride
Collegiate Connections Internship Fair
Live It Forward – Organ Donation
TN Achieves Mentor Program
Fill the Bus
2016:
Internships for WilsonCounty College Students
Bocce Ball Court for SpecialOlympics
Jere’s Ride
Empower Me Day Camp – Path to Freedom
Empower Me Day Camp - Grand Opening
National Jr High Rodeo Championship
2017:
Back Pack Program
Leadership Road Advisory Committee
High School Student Norms regarding drugs and drinking
Internship Wilson
Skilled Labor Workforce Forum
2018:
Help Center fundraiser at the CU Football game
Adult Recreation – Elmer Elkins Softball Fields
Sharing Change – increase awareness to sign up
Suicide Prevention Hotline
Books for Break – collect books for children
2019:
Adult Recreation - Elmer Elkins Funding
Wilson County Day of Kindness
Music and Memories at Tuckers Gap
Children’s Music
Internet Safety for Parents