LEAD 2013 On a Mission

LEAD Southern Maryland empowers, inspires and provides the tools to enable teens to reach their full potential as leaders, establishing a connection within their community through leadership, experience, advocacy and discipline. LEAD reaches out to rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students in the Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's county areas. Under the sponsorship and guidance of Leadership Southern Maryland, it is the goal and mission of LEAD to provide access to and mentoring with regional business, military and community leaders, combining this vast network of mentors and leaders with the diverse teens in our community, and matching young leaders with opportunities to not only express their ideas for our region, but also help them realize the innovative projects that are born in our program. LEAD and LSM partner to provide delegates with community service opportunities that challenge the way they think and take ownership of their community. Delegates will be exposed to twenty --two hours of documented leadership training to include Group dynamics, Diversity, Team Building, Project Planning, Public Speaking and Service Learning. Blind registration allows for a multi-cultural as well as broad socio-economic group of young people who are brought together as individuals, but leave as part of a collaborative community effort ready to tackle real world projects, ideas and problems in their respective schools, communities and homes. Through our bridge with the adult leadership program, delegates are given an opportunity to bring their ideas in front of a panel of community business and educational leaders in the form of a final project, completing their time at LEAD Teen Leadership Workshop, but just beginning the passion and innovation that these delegates will bring back to their counties. Each LEAD delegate will be introduced to various civic organizations, such as the St. Mary's River Watershed Association, in a successful effort to engage with the stewards of their communities and the Chesapeake Bay. Won't you join us for our best year ever?! Early-bird Registration begins online January 2, 2013 http://leadsomd.org/ .