Accepting applications:

2009 Leadership Class pictured above.

The Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce has announced the names of participants selected for this fall's "Leadership Emanuel 2009" class.

Earlier the year, the Chamber was awarded a $5,000 grant from The University of Georgia's Fanning Institute to assist the local organization in its efforts to implement a leadership program in Emanuel County.

"The goal of the program is to create a new level of leadership for our county," stated Bill Rogers, Jr., chamber president. "Program goals will focus on economic development with sessions topics on understanding community leadership, knowing your community, community leader's role in economic development and local governance."

The class is scheduled to begin September 1st, with a 6 p.m. kickoff dinner at East Georgia College, followed by nine classes on consecutive Tuesday nights. Appeals Court Judge John Ellington will be guest speaker for the kickoff dinner.

Selected for the class are Wendy Ahrens, Toni Terwilliger, Belinda Thomas, Christtine Whitaker, Allen Gambrell, Stacy Barber, Brett Reynolds, Jim Roberts, Mary Shepherd, Samantha Holden, Katelyn Moore, Cindy Phillips, Candy Powers, David Ray, Dr, Sonji Leach, Gloria Mason, Daniel Massa, Barbara Moore, DeAnna Moore, Eric Carlyle, Heather Cook, Dr. Tommy Craft, Zach Frye, Anna Gambrell, and Shanna Taylor.