LEADERSHIP BARRY COUNTY HISTORY

1989 
Grant to Michigan State University (LLGE: Leadership and Local Government Education) from W. K. Kellogg
Foundation for leadership development.  Established Leadership Steering Committee.
1990
First leadership class in Barry County “Leading Into the 90’s” sponsored by MSU Extension, Thornapple Foundation and W. K. Kellogg Foundation.
       1991        
Second “Leading Into the 90’s” sponsored by MSU Extension, Thornapple Foundation, W. K. Kellogg Foundation.
1992   
“Leading Into the 90’s…International”, graduates only.  Canadian study and travel experience.  Sponsored by MSU Extension and W. K. Kellogg Foundation.
1993 
Leadership group helps begin Barry Community Resource Network (BCRN).
1996    
Re-established a Leadership Steering Committee.
1997            
Wrote grant to Barry Community Foundation.
1998     
Re-established leadership program and changed title to “Challenging You…In the 21st Century”, sponsored by MSU Extension and KCC-Fehsenfeld Center.  Financial support-Barry Community Foundation.  Graduated 3rd Leadership class.
1999       
Graduated 4th Leadership class.
2000  
5th Leadership class graduated.  Sponsors were MSU Extension, KCC-Fehsenfeld Center and Barry County Area Chamber of Commerce.  The financial support came from Barry Community Foundation and Barry County United Way.
2001     
6th leadership class graduated.  Program retitled "Leadership Barry County."  There were over 150 graduates of the program.  Leadership Endowment Fund established through the Barry Community Foundation.
2002      
MSU Cooperative Extension/Barry County, Kellogg Community College-Fehsenfeld Center, Barry County Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Willard G. Pierce & Jessie M. Pierce Foundation/Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, and the Barry Community Foundation are partners in offering the "Leadership Barry County" program.
2003  
The eighth Leadership Barry County class graduated.  There are now over 200 graduates of the program.  Active alumni program continues to link leaders.
2004    
The ninth class of Leadership Barry County graduated.  A fund raising relay was organized by the Class of 2004.
2005     
The tenth Class of Leadership Barry County Graduated. J-Ad Graphics joins the list of program partners.
2006     
  Leadership Barry County expands its scope with the introduction of the “Leadership Barry County Youth Quest Awards”.
2007  
   Leadership Barry County partners with the Barry Community Foundation for staff.
2008     
The thirteenth Class of Leadership Barry County graduated on March 15, 2008. LBC partners with Humanergy and KCC to start a 6 week Supervisory Skills Program.
A value is required.