Class of 2007 Program Days

The Class of 2007 met each other at their Class Orientation hosted by Emory University at the Goizuta School of Business in late August 2006. Many Leadership DeKalb graduates spoke to the class and described what the class could expect from the experience.

OPENING RETREAT

The Class then spent two nights and days together at their Opening Retreat at Amicolola Falls State Park in September. The group heard from Carolyn and Bob Turknett about various leadership styles and John Horton revealed the results of their DISC profiles. Every year, the ultimate bonding experience proves to be the high and low ropes course. The classmates introduced each other and were assigned to their study groups. The retreat concluded with a presentation from Judge Nelly Withers ’03 on the “Origins of Man.” This discussion provided a preface for Diversity Day.

HISTORY DAY

Program Chair John Hewitt ’05coordinated an interesting day full of DeKalb history. Each year, class members always comment that they see something they have never seenbefore in DeKalb on this day. Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve and Calvin Ramsey’s ’94account of Shermantown continue to be program highlights.

DIVERSITY DAY

Facilitators from the National Coalition Building Institute challenged the class to think about the categories in which they classify themselves and to discuss their perceptions and experiences. Victory Churchand the Reverend Ken Samuel ’04 provided a nurturing space and lunch for the class as they explored the emotional topic of diversity. Judge Nelly Withers ’03chaired this program day.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DAY

This year’s Economic Development Day was full of timely presentations and discussion on DeKalb’s efforts to bring more business to the county and retain the companies currently based within.Program Chairs Mary Leight '02, Maceo Rogers ’04 and Mike Graham’05 and their committee planned a memorable and interesting day.

Speakers working in Economic Development such as Maria Mullins ’08, Director of DeKalb’s Economic Development Department, and Em Mosier ’00, Communications Coordinator for Georgia Power’s Economic Development Department, stressed the connection between DeKalb’s education system and its impact on DeKalb’s desirability as a business location. The speakers stated that Georgia cannot continue to import talent but must invest in its education system. In short, they summed it up by saying Education = Economic Development, which is why Economic Development is everyone’s business.

GOVERNMENT DAY

The Class of 2007 heard first-hand about the many issues facing the General Assembly on its Government Day visit to the Capitol. Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and Secretary of State Karen Handel welcomed the group on the extremely cold February morning. DeKalb legislators then took turns talking about Peach Care, the ‘city’ of Dunwoody and transportation. Committee Chair Matt Hicks ’02 and his committee did an excellent job coordinating speakers at the state, county and Decatur city levels. State Senator Gloria Butler ’07 surprised her class by presenting a proclamation that the full Senate adopted to commemorate their Leadership DeKalb class. She presented the proclamation to Executive Director Sara Fountain ’92 at Eddie’s Attic at the conclusion of the day.

EDUCATION DAY

Education Day Chair Dr. Garry McGiboney ’06, with assistance from Sherri Breunig ’04and Debbie Gay ’07, created an emotionally moving and informative day. The class learned more about the innovative programs which assist students in graduating when traditional programs do not meet their needs.

JUSTICE DAY

Justice Day Chair DA Gwen Keyes Fleming ’99, with assistance from Judge Greg Adams ’90, Solicitor-General Robert James, Chief Assistant Public Defender Claudia Saari ’99,Judge Robert Castellani, Judge Daniel Coursey ’87, Major Jim Helms ’92, Sheriff Thoms Brown ’91, Melissa Manrow ’02, Medical Examiner Deputy Director Paul Kelhofer, DeKalb School Resource Officer Wayne Pickney and Judge Desiree Peagler ’97 provided an eye-opening day for the Class of 2007 showcasing the court system, police challenges, jail operations and medical examiner’s responsibilities. As always, one of the day’s highlights was the jail tour.

HEALTH DAY

Health Day Chair Charlotte Combre ’04 and her committee outdid themselves with this year’s Health Day. The class learned about the extremely challenging business side of providing healthcare services with visits to DeKalb Medical, Grady, CDC and the DeKalb Board of Health.

CLOSING RETREAT

At this year's Closing Retreat, the class voted to work with one of its members on an important project that has the opportunity to change DeKalb County in the most positive of ways. This year, the class saw some of the deleterious effects that our high school dropout rate has on the county. Roberta Morris ’07, Director of Workforce Development for DeKalb County, introduced the campaign, School is My First Job, to her Study Group and they immediately began connecting their resources tosupport her efforts to publicize this campaign. School is My First Job provides critical support and resources to students on the verge of dropping out to
ensure that they are successful in school and can be successful in the
workplace.

At the Retreat, Roberta made a presentation to the class and they voted to create a committee to work with her and add to this campaign's momentum. For example, DeKalb Medical is sharing a couple of billboards with the campaign. Other class members have made direct contributions to cover the promotional costs associated with the effort. This campaign has the potential to become a model for the state and even the country.
The class decision to help move this idea forward was a fitting end to our Retreat whose theme was “Moving It Forward.” The theme was based on the concept of “paying it forward” and moving the work of Leadership DeKalb forward. Carpe Diem!