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Group Project History Group projects is an important part of the Leadership Putnam Program. Each year the class divides into groups that focus on a community interest or need. Out of this they create and execute a project. Listed below are projects that have come out of Leadership Putnam classes in the past.
Class of 1991
Regional Economic Development in the Upper Cumberland: To establish a network of leaders in the Upper Cumberland to promote regional economic development. Objectives: create a forum to study regional issues, form a network for communication & cooperation, & create a mechanism for continued networking on a planned & organized basis. Vocational Needs Assessment of Business & Industry: Collect information to be used to assess the state of vocational education in Putnam County for the purpose of helping the superintendent, school board, & county commissioners to improve vocational education. Recycling Task Force: Gather information regarding business & industry’s current efforts toward recycling and disposal of non-recyclable materials. Class of 1992
Health Care: Develop, organize, coordinate, & conduct an afternoon information program about preparing for and being with persons with aids in social settings; specifically at church, schools and in the workplace. Illiteracy: Enlist local, civic, government & business leaders to do Public Service Announcements about the educational opportunities available to those who need GED or literacy training. Education: Research of critical issues pertaining to education: funding, facilities, curriculum, office administration, & after-school programs. Class of 1993
Regional Government: An Upper Cumberland Dream or Necessity. Analysis of advantages & disadvantages of Regional Government. Environment: Recycling/Litter Prevention. Analysis of environmental programs & organizations for solving litter and landfill problems. Education: Investigate hiring practices of the Putnam County School System & make recommendations for improvements to the School Board. Family Life Curriculum Resource Book: A resource book was designed to aid the classroom teacher in executing the state mandated requirement of including a “Family Life” curriculum. The resource book includes pamphlets, video presentations; slide presentations with audio, articles, and bibliography to be used freely by the teachers. Corporate Childcare: Feasibility study on interest in establishment of day care facilities for children of employees by corporate industry in the Cookeville area. The group would be a catalyst in assisting corporate employers to be more informed about benefits of corporate child-care. Surveys were distributed to employers and employees to determine interest and need. Class of 1994
Planned Growth/Infrastructure: Analyze the industrial site selection process in the City of Cookeville. Study of the Impact of Liquor Reform Law on Putnam County: Collect relevant facts & impressions & ascertain the effects of liquor law reform in Putnam County on business, Justice System, and society at large. Crime in Putnam County: Data collection of statistical information & current programs established or being considered to reduce crime. The Family: Prepare a resource/information brochure for family recreation. CityScape: 3-year plan. Class of 1995
Zoning & Community Planning: Random survey of residents by voting districts to supply research data to assist the Putnam County commission & county planning commission in implementing some form of zoning on a county wide basis. Promotion of Leadership Putnam: Develop and produce a 10-minute video to promote the Leadership Putnam program to civic organizations. History of Putnam County Video: Develop and produce a 30-minute historical “Putnam County Documentary” video for education of civic groups, schools, etc. Education: Business & Education Partnership Survey. Survey private sector to create a useful database for identification of enterprises that are interested in promoting career education for youth. Class of 1996
Environment: Pilot project to begin recycling in businesses of different sizes. Established “Redbud” tree as the official Cookeville City Tree. Community Growth: Focus group to study perceptions of growth in the region. Government: Develop a “Guide to Putnam County” handbook to educate the public on the roles of elected county officials & their activities. The book includes responsibilities, qualifications, and how the departments work. Education: Develop a guide & map to the new Cookeville High School to be used by new students and people that tour the facility.
Class of 1997
Education: Apprenticeship Program. Identify local industries that would benefit from the Apprenticeship Training Program and develop five employment opportunities for Putnam County High Schools students. The goal was accomplished by developing a database of employers, telemarketing the program, producing a video to explain the program, and hosting a workshop for potential employers.
Education: Develop a program to educate children to prevent sexual abuse & abduction through the implementation of the Child Lures School Program. Convention Center: Determine workable design, optimal location, and acceptable funding source for Putnam County’s proposed multi-use meeting and special event facility. Provide the constructive and factual information to community decision-makers and residents. Gateways: Build a positive image of our community by developing a gateway signage plan for Cookeville to include site designs, sign designs, and landscape designs. Class of 1998
Greenways: Locate, design, build & assist in bringing to fruition the northern trailhead of the greenway, a pedestrian walkway along the Nashville & Eastern Railroad’s right-of-way between TTU and the Depot. Greenways II: To act as “go-between” for juvenile offenders and the Greenways Project to assist in providing manpower for the creation and upkeep of Leadership Putnam’s section of the trail. Big Brothers Big Sisters: Establish an advisory committee to assist with the program development & implementation, fund-raising activities, & recruitment & training of volunteers and staff for a Big Brothers/Big Sisters Organization. Class of 1999
Intercity Visit: Travel to Morgantown, WV “The Best Small City in the East” to meet with Chamber staff and city/community officials who helped to complete the city’s Vision 2000 Plan. Issues studied included the convention center, city government and transportation. Community leaders are encouraged to visit other cities on a regular basis to study their successes. Business Skills Inventory for Small Business Incubator. Using information gathered from commitment forms and phone conversations, the group developed a reference library of LP people who are willing to consult or guide those enrolled in the new Small Business Incubator program. Survey for Comprehensive Growth Management Plan. Working with Cookeville City planners, the group gathered land use data for future annexation and growth planning for the city. Adult High School Promotion. Each group member interviewed a student at the Adult High School, and wrote a news article to increase public awareness of the opportunities at school. Class of 2000
Town Spring Monument. To provide a lasting memorial of the Town Spring’s major impact on Cookeville’s growth and history, a 12-ft black granite obelisk was erected in Dogwood Park. With cooperation from the Carlen Family and the Heritage Foundation. Blue Ribbon Schools. Investigate, propose, and facilitate participation of area schools in the US Dept. of Education’s Blue Ribbon School competition. Three representatives from Putnam County attended the southeastern conference. Cultural Diversity. A newcomers’ guide, in Spanish, for Hispanic families in Putnam County. The Welcome brochure is available at Perdue Farms, the Catholic Center, Health Dept. & schools. Co-sponsored by Perdue Farms. Government Survey. A survey in a local newspaper to determine why people do or do not vote. Class of 2001
Hispanic Form for Utility Companies. To prepare & place at all local utility companies, an application for service (electric, water, etc.) translated in the Spanish language and a Spanish dictionary. Promotion of Dry Valley Alternative School. Provide research for a newspaper story to remind the community of the history of Dry Valley School and inform them of the continuing excellence in education there. Personality Profiles. Conduct interviews for weekly stories in the newspaper to heighten the awareness of interesting citizens from all walks of life. Government Survey. To determine the most important issues facing Putnam County by interviewing a cross-section of community leaders. Class of 2002
Cookeville Connection Trolley Transportation System. Develop a market analysis, business plan, marketing and advertising plan and proposed route for a trolley system to link local businesses and services. Patriotic Mural. A memorial on a downtown building to thank “our protectors” police, fire, EMT, military. Develop design, hire artist, and raise funds. Adult High School. Clean and catalog donated books for the school library. Government Charts. Prepare & publicize charts with information outlining the various county/city elected offices. Chart includes: years in term, how elected, salary, qualifications, job description, & fiscal responsibility.
Class of 2003
Non-Profit Agency Fair for High School Students. To make young people aware of the many local organizations for volunteer roles and career choices. Students from all high schools were bussed to the Town Centre for the event.
“Uniquely Cookeville” publication to promote downtown businesses. Interviews and photographs for tabloid that was inserted into Herald Citizen. Resource Center for Putnam County Schools. Provide publicity to schools and civic groups, then gather clothing for needy children in schools. Leadership Putnam CD and website. Create a Leadership Putnam segment for the Chamber CD and include it on the LP website. Class of 2004
Leadership Putnam Education Foundation. Establish a foundation to provide funds for mini-grants for teachers. (Now named Putnam Education Partnership Foundation) Business Training Survey. Assist the Small Business Development Center at TTU to survey local businesses to determine training needs. The Promise Volunteer Center at TTU. A Center that links student volunteers with volunteer opportunities within local businesses and organizations. Baby Shower for Crisis Pregnancy Center. Countywide baby shower to gather funds and supplies for the Crisis Pregnancy Center. Class of 2005
Three Star Accreditation. Serve as the county liaison to gather reports and information from officials and then complete and submit the application for Level 2 of the Governor’s Three Star Accreditation program. Friends of the Baxter Depot. Establish a 501(c) (3) organization to raise funds and then distribute those funds to rebuild the Baxter Depot. Work with city officials and railroad officials to procure the land and materials needed for construction. LP Student Spotlight. Coordinate with every county school and with the Herald-Citizen to spotlight a student for community service or act of kindness. Focus project on students who normally do not receive attention and accolades. Develop a calendar with the schools to continue the project for two years. Leaders Against Meth. Collect items and develop care packs for children removed from meth homes. Sort the packs by age and gender. Work with Cookeville Regional Medical Center as the storage and distribution points. Host a dinner event to introduce TTU’s Meth = Death DVD to city and county officials in the Upper Cumberland Region. Class of 2006 Rails for Trails. Established a 501(c)(3) organization to aid in fundraising for the Rails and Trails project which would provide a walking, biking, and horse trail to follow the existing railroad track from Cookeville to Monterey. TN Three-Star Program. Worked with the TN Community and Economic Development Commission to obtain State Three Star status for Putnam County. Three Star status allows Putnam County to receive grant funding for economic development initiatives. Upper Cumberland Komen for the Cure Affiliate. Assisted in the effort to establish a Komen for the Cure affiliate in the Upper Cumberland. As a result of this project, women throughout the area now have access to mammograms and breast health information. Class of 2007 Class of 2008 100 Club. Established a fund for families of emergency service workers who are injured or killed in the line of duty. Bryan Symphony Orchestra. Assisted with revitalizing a section of the auditorium with new seating as well as a fresh coat of paint to the area. |
