Today's blog is brought to you by LAMC grad and faithful supporter, Joe Clark. In addition to Joe, several other LAMC graduates were invited to join a delegation of community advocates to share the needs of Madison County.  

Thanks to these LAMC grads and servant leaders for sharing of their time and passion:  Dennis Ashley (LAMC '14), Jessica Bannon (LAMC '04), Tom Bannon (LAMC '96), Marlene Carey (LAMC '08), Sally DeVoe (LAMC '06),  Beth Erskine (LAMC '96), Sandy Montgomery (LAMC '09), Sherry Peak-Davis (LAMC '15), Matt Rust (LAMC '16), Michael Schroyer (LAMC '17), and Beth Tharp (LAMC '06).

Here's a message from Joe:  "The Madison County Chamber of Commerce headed to Washington D.C. last week. Comprised of Republicans and Democrats, the team representing our county was made up of business owners and non-profit leadership. We even had direct competitors along for the visit. Regardless of political views, profit centers or ideology, I am proud to say the group worked together to meet with our representatives and come away with progress. Mission accomplished . . . or at least started!"

#GrowServeLead

After 35 years, people still ask, "Leadership Academy? Now, just what is that?" Good question! Ask all 1600+ grads of our adult and youth program, and you just may get 1600+ answers; and we're okay with that! The program is what YOU make of it. People come to us from all walks of life in all different stages of their life. It's a personal journey that is just that - personal.

Recently, we were honored to wake up to the following editorial from The Herald Bulletin. Click "read more" below to hear their view. Special thanks to The Herald Bulletin for recognizing the commitment of our Leadership Academy of Madison County (LAMC) and Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) alums who are now serving Madison County or the many communities they live, work, and play in. #GrowServeLead

What to Expect:

“Grow. Serve. Lead.”  “Connecting Servant Leaders to Build Better Communities.”  Sounds like a bunch of touchy-feely, mumbo-jumbo, right? 

Well in 2010, I had the pleasure of finding out what was going on behind those catchy tag lines when I attended the Leadership Academy of Madison County.  At first, I wasn’t excited to attend.  I knew very little about the Academy and what to expect, so I was anxious to say the least.

Philanthropy.  It comes in many different forms and looks like so many different things.  An important component of servant leadership is sharing the power of philanthropy with our youth.  

This year, like many others in the past, the Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) Class of 2017 hosted a Dance Marathon to raise money for non profit agencies serving children and youth in Madison County.  Inviting their friends from all Madison County high schools to come out for an evening of fun, over 350 students came together to "give back" to Madison County.  Yes, there was dancing with an amazing dj, but there was also competitive 3 on 3 basketball, a lively dodgeball tournament, and, of course, food!

All for a great lesson in philanthropy and giving back.  Grow.Serve.Lead.

If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room…

Well, for the past six months, I know that I’ve been in the right room.  I had the distinct privilege of meeting 36 amazing individuals from diverse backgrounds who are talented, witty, creative and smart.

I love Youth Leadership Academy (YLA)!   I’m not trying to brag or anything but I think it is one of the best programs in Madison County if not Indiana as a whole. When I found out I got accepted into YLA, I was elated!  It had been a long day at work, I was tired and just wanted to go to bed.  I got a letter that had YLA letterhead on it and I thought surely it was a rejection letter.  I mean why would they want me in their program? But I decided to open it anyway just for fun. The first word I see is Congratulations. I knew at that point I would be in for a great ride. 

New Year's Resolutions.  As we begin the year 2017, it's hard not to go there even though more times than not, they get lost in the daily grind as we get back to work and school.  "Life happens" and all of a sudden our new year's resolutions are a think of the past much too soon.

What if we keep it simple this year?  Sometimes the smallest and simplest things have the most lasting and powerful impact.  The Best Test is one of those things.  As a leader in your organization, your community, your family, how do things stack up when you apply this simple test?

DO THOSE SERVED GROW AS PERSONS? DO THEY, WHILE BEING SERVED, BECOME HEALTHIER, WISER, FREER, MORE AUTONOMOUS, MORE LIKELY THEMSELVES TO BECOME SERVANTS?

Another tie?  Another candle?  What do you get for the person who has everything?  Give the gift that keeps on giving!

It's time for the Season of Giving Gift Fair.  There is no greater feeling than that of helping others.  Call it philanthropy, gifts of time, talent, & treature, volunteerism, service, paying it forward, or even just giving a hug.  Giving to others is one of the most rewarding things we can do.

Join 17 non profit agencies on Saturday, December 10, 2016, to see philanthropy and helping others live and in person. 

#Giving Tuesday.  To quote Quang Vinh, one of our favorite board members, "I don't understand why we have to have a day for everything."  Good point, Quang!  Why DO we have to have a day for everything?  And, what is all this we hear about #GivingTuesday?

#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving.  Since it's founding in 2012, #GivingTuesday has inspired giving around the world, resulting in greater contributions, volunteer hours, and activities that bring about real change in communities.  Join the movement and give TODAY!

Collaboration - it's a buzzword and everyone wants to do it.  At least, that's what they say!  In a community with great needs, it is more important than ever that we lay down the "what's in it for me?" and instead pick up the "what can we do together?"  Each year, at Leadership Academy of Madison County, we facilitate a session about Visioning and Collaboration for our community's future.  Read on to see how one collaboration turned into a Celebration of Youth and Community!

Powerful connections, networking, philanthropy, and fun.  We witnessed them all on Wednesday, August 31st.  A huge thank you to Mark Thacker (LAMC '12) and the entire team Hoosier Park Racing & Casino for being such great hosts!  Over 100 alumni and supporters of Leadership Academy of Madison County came out to meet the Class of 2017.  Check out and share these fun photos from the Meet & Greet!

Nervous, excited, thinking you need to be twenty other places?  You came to LAMC with all different feelings and energy levels, wondering how and if you'll fit in.  Who ARE these people?  Do I know them?  Do I want to get to know them?  What will this "Leadership Thing" be like?  

Believe me, we've heard it all.  We get nervous too!  More than anything, though, we're excited.  Excited to get to know you.  Excited to see how tyou will receive the training and experiences we offer and how you will connect.  Excited to see what GREAT things you will do in and for Madison County.  We're just plain excited!  GROW.SERVE.LEAD.

Wondering who is in the class this year?  Come on out to Hoosier Park on Wednesday, August 31st.  We'll be there from 6 to 8 pm and we'd love to see you!  Join us as we welcome:

Fresh off the heels of an amazing start to our 20th year of YLA (that's our youth program to those of you who may be new to us), we’re taking a leap into the world of blogging!