Leadership Haywood County was organized in 1993 and is led by the Leadership Board of Directors that is comprised of a member from each prior graduating class. Areas of study for class members include economic development, law enforcement, health, welfare, and culture, education and state government. The goal of the class is to promote knowledge, participation and leadership in the community.

Each year, members of the community submit applications from which a class is formed.

The chamber also sponsors a Youth Leadership program for selected Haywood High School students.

The Haywood County Youth Leadership program provides students with an opportunity to increase their awareness of the major issues facing Haywood County. Equally valuable to those who take the class is the opportunity to become acquainted with people from all areas of community life, to listen to their opinions and to share a concern for the county. The mission of Haywood Youth Leadership is to lay the groundwork for future leadership by identifying and nurturing such young leaders.

The program is designed to foster leadership skills and expose young leaders to the different elements, which interact to form a strong and dynamic community. Participants are chosen based on their recommendation and references demonstrating a certain criteria. Students must make a commitment to serve the Haywood County area, and have an interest in seeking volunteer and/or appointed leadership roles. They must also understand the possibility of achieving policy-shaping responsibility or positions of leadership in employment or volunteer organizations, resulting in the potential to have significant influence on important issues facing the community. They must also be available to participate in the eight sessions in the program.

Through these sessions, students learn about law enforcement, community service, local economics and government, the West Tennessee Penitentiary, and state government. They also have an orientation class, participate in COPE (a team-building activity) and attend a celebration meeting at the end of the program.

For more information about these programs, call the chamber at 772-2193.