Each week, Marion Technical College shares MarionMade! stories of our many wonderful people, places, products and programs in the greater Marion community. To read more positive stories of Marion, or to share some of your own, visit us at marionmade.org and on social media.
For 35 years, hundreds of local leaders have gained new insights into Marion’s strengths and worked to strengthen it through the Leadership Marion! program. The Marion Area Chamber of Commerce (MACC) celebrated the tremendous impact with a reunion this summer.
“You learn so much, whether you’ve lived in Marion for five months or 25 years. I’ve lived in Marion my whole life, but when I went, I learned so much,” said Heidi Jones, MACC president and past participant. “I learned about many businesses, and our reach. So many products are known around the world. We may be a small town, but our reach is mighty!”
“I’ve been in this community for more than 30 years and I was surprised at what I didn’t know was happening in my own community,” Marion Police Chief Jay McDonald said. “You also get to learn what other people are doing next door to you that you had no idea they were doing.”
The program was founded in 1991 by a group of local citizens concerned about a lack of emerging leadership in the community. Since then, more than 600 people have completed the program, each sponsored by a local employer or organization. Over a year, participants learn about Marion’s history, present strengths and challenges and future direction. They tour a variety of businesses, industry, nonprofits and educational resources.
“The longevity of the program speaks volumes. People keep sending up-and-coming leaders. It’s a valued program,” Jones said.
Chris Gibson, a past participant and CEO of Pillar Credit Union, said she was surprised how much she learned.
“I’m born and raised in Marion. There’s a lot of stuff that I didn’t know,” Gibson said. “I also truly enjoyed hearing from leaders of nonprofits and what their struggles are and what their needs are because it does give us an idea of what our community needs as a whole.”
Each class responds to those needs with a project.
The Class of 2014-15 created the annual Taste of Marion event featuring local eateries. The Class of 2022-23 created Inspire Marion, which raises funds with an annual dodgeball tournament and other efforts to support local charities. After realizing that Marion lagged in small business startups, the Class of 2016-2017 created the annual Forge business classes and competition. With support from Alluvial Private Wealth and other sponsors, entrepreneur can take the classes for free and compete for thousands of dollars in prizes.
“So many new local businesses and nonprofits were created after finishing their business plan for the Forge competition,” Jones said.
Among dozens of past Forge participants are Attaboys restaurant, Belenos Creations, Busy B Cleaning, the Explore-It-Torium Children’s Museum and Here Today clothing store.
Past classes have helped the Marion Palace Theatre and Leapin’ Outreach Center. The first class after COVID-19 hosted summer lunches for youth.
Many of the classes have beautified parks or improved them, including Lincoln Park, Quarry Park, the Tallgrass Trails, Sawyer-Ludwig Park and the new Kaufman dog park. Classes have also installed bike repair stations and donated to the Memorial Garden for victims of homicide. The Class of 2023-24 is working to install a splash pad at Founders Park. The Class of 2017-18 created a nonprofit, the Marion PEP Club, and raised funds to build a new inclusive playground at McKinley Park.
Leadership Marion! is designed to help participants sharpen leadership skill and build connections across the community, deepening community ties.
“The relationships that I built with the other people that were in my class … we tend to build up great connections that way,” Gibson said.
“The most memorable experience from the leadership program was the relationships I’ve developed with fellow classmates and the continued collaborations that we have to this day,” said James Boyle, member of the Class of 2022-23.
The next class starts Aug. 28.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Leadership Marion! is this week’s MarionMade!
Reporting by Special to Marion Star, Marion Star / Marion Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Special to Marion Star, Marion Star | USA TODAY Network
