Leadership Rutherford

Selection Criteria

Leadership Rutherford's mission is to create an annual program that identifies and trains future leaders to use their skills and energy in community service to benefit Rutherford County. The vision of the organization is to bring leaders and emerging leaders together to work through community challenges for the success of our county.

The program year addresses issues in the community, such as health, diversity and quality of life, the environment & agriculture, the media, economic development and critical issues. Through interaction with experts and participation in a variety of activities, class members learn first-hand about these regional concerns. Site visits, panel discussions, simulations and other in-depth exercises encourage dialogue, debate and problem solving in subject areas.

Each year, Leadership Rutherford brings together 20-25 select individuals recognized as established or emerging leaders to participate in its ten-month educational program; selection is based on their employment experience and community involvement; other factors taken into consideration are geographic representation, job sector, ethnicity, age, gender and other functions of diversity to ensure that Leadership Rutherford has a group that accurately represents the county. Graduates of the program will be better equipped to effect positive change throughout the county because they have a greater understanding of the area's political, social, financial and institutional structures and have a larger network of resources.

Program Requirements

  • Attendance policy is mandatory for the retreat in August, all subsequent program days, and graduation.
  • Class participants are permitted 9 hours of absence from the programs. Participants may recover up to 4 (four) hours of absence by attending an alternate approved activity.
  • Late arrivals and/or early departures from program events are considered in hourly deductions and apply to the total number of absence hours.
  • Participation and a level of interest and engagement is expected from all class members in order to successfully complete the program.
  • Anyone missing more than 9 hours may return the following program year and make up the hours missed at no additional cost. Those making up the time will graduate at the end of the program.