Past Participants Comments
Ray L. McKinney, Jr. 2001-2002 Alumni Chair
When this year's class of Leadership Southeast Georgia 2001-2002 first
met in September 2001, we were given the challenge to develop a group project
that would allow us to utilize the information, networks, and friendships
that were developed during our program year. During the year, we took part
in six weekend sessions across the region that taught us about the strengths
and weaknesses of each of the counties in RAC12. By the end of the course,
we had built friendships that allowed us to learn from one another's fortunes
and misfortunes in order to make Region 12 stronger so that all of the
communities could benefit.
Kathy Bradley 2000-2001 Participant
I gained a deeper appreciation for the natural beauty of our corner of
the state. From the timberlands of Long County to the marshes of the Golden
Isles, from the banks of the Ogeechee to the shrimp boat docks in Darien,
there is a diverse and pristine beauty to our home that cries out to be
tended and preserved. Nobody else has a Sapelo or a Cumberland. Nobody
else has a Savannah. We have to do whatever it takes to make sure that
we always will.
I gained a knowledge of the importance of cooperation between governments,
city with county, county with county. No community exists in a vacuum;
no community can be all things to all people. Each one must focus on what
it does best and do that; it must be willing to encourage and support its
neighbors in doing what they do best. When the ports in Savannah and Brunswick
expand their capacities and welcome more of the worlds goods, everybody
benefits. When the tax base in Camden County is diluted by too much commercial
timberland, everybody suffers.
I gained a better understanding of what makes someone a leader. It takes
more than being bright and accomplished and capable, though everyone in
the class was all those things. What makes a person a leader is, as one
of our group offered, recognizing ability in others and being willing to
get out of the way and let them use it. Leadership is confident and fearless,
but it is also unassuming and unselfish.