Odegeo Holds First Class

Odegeo…Leadership for Fillmore County Class Holds Its First Session

The 2014-2015 Odegeo. . . Leadership for Fillmore County class met for its first introductory session on September 16th in Grafton at Gary’s Brickhouse Grille.  This year’s participants are: Makenna Coy, Brandi Domling, Melissa Houchin, Marsha Jorgensen, Vern Kendell, Candice Leeper, Heather Oentrich, Caitlyn Peterson, Diane Ryder, Casey Smith, Robyn Sorenson, Rebecca Svec, Lori Utemark, Crystal Vavra, Wade Walters, and Stephanie Witt. 

Susan Johnson, a member of the Fillmore County Development Corporation (FCDC) Leadership Committee gave opening remarks to the class and explained that the Odegeo Project is a leadership class organized by the Leadership Development Committee of the FCDC and history of the program. The sessions give the participants an opportunity to see many business, cultural and political aspects of Fillmore County as well as a chance to improve their leadership skills.  This is the 16^th Odegeo leadership class.

“Do You Know Them” was a skit the committee members did to help the class members think of the many different types of people they encounter in their daily lives.  The members emphasized they were only acting and were not portraying their personalities.

Todd Boller and Andrew Ley invited the class members introduce themselves and learn a few facts about each other as they answered questions according to the color of the M & M’s they needed. The group then toured the Grafton Community Center where Sue Baumann told them about the community’s fitness center and recycling trailer. Strong community leadership and involvement got those projects accomplished.

Megan Hinrichs, Thayer County Healthy Communities Coalition, was the speaker for the session.  She used “Real Colors” and hands on learning tools to help the class identify their personal characteristics.   Recognizing that people have different personal characteristics can help a person be a better leader and work with a group.

The class members and FCDC Leadership Development Committee members had time for getting acquainted while they enjoyed dinner prepared Gary’s Brickhouse Grille.  Heartland Bank sponsored the dinner. 

The next session of the Odegeo…Leadership for Fillmore County will be held in October and concentrate on the history and tourism of the County.

Information and photo courtesy of Fillmore County Development Corporation.