2008 Leadership Hendricks County Graduate: Derek Crager
Derek Crager's long term residence in Hendricks County, since 1969, has given him great insight into what has shaped our county. He went to school here, served in boy scouts here, graduated from here, volunteered here, coached here, officiated here, worked and played here, ran multiple businesses here, paid taxes here :) and now has children that school and play here.
Derek's north star has been a focus on community. What needs done and what can be done better?
With that mindset, Derek Crager applied and was accepted into the postive organization known as Leadership Hendricks County, whose mission it is to further develop existing local leadership so they may expand and take more effective leadership roles in our county's future.
As a graduate, Derek Crager subscribes to the higher standards taught and demanded by Leadership Hendricks County and as such brings these higher standards to his clients and promises to make your goal his goal when selling your home. Some things can only be learned through experience, success is one of them. If you want to be successful in selling your home, call Derek right now. 317.796.9825
What is Leadership Hendricks County?
Since 1993, Leadership Hendricks County has given citizens the background and inside information they need to take on effective leadership roles in Hendricks County community.
A new class of 20 to 25 participants is selected each year from a list of applicants. In January, they participate in an Opening Retreat, at which they learn more about themselves, leadership styles, and the challenges facing the county. In addition, they are assigned to a Team Discovery project that addresses a current need.
Each month they meet as a group to learn more about a facet of life in Hendricks County - everything from the educational system to how the jail operates. In November, they convene for a Closing Retreat to review what they've learned and present their Team Discovery projects.
Along the way, they learn that leaders aren't an elite class of people. They're ordinary citizens who step up to help their communities, churches, organizations and workplaces accomplish what needs to be done. And upon graduating, they become part of an ever-growing Network of Leaders serving Hendricks County.
In 1998, we added Youth Leadership Hendricks County, a similar program for high school sophomores.
Leadership Hendricks County is a not-for-profit organization that is funded through participant's fees, corporate generosity, an annual golf outing, and other donations from those in the community who recognize the value of leadership development.
History of Leadership Hendricks County
Leadership Hendricks County (LHC) is a not-for-profit group created in August 1992 to give a selected group of citizens the background and inside information it needs to take on effective roles of leadership in the Hendricks County community.
The concept of a broad based community leadership development program in Hendricks County was brought about by the efforts of the Agriculture Advisory Council of the Hendricks County Cooperative Extension Service as they began to develop a training program for the agriculture community. In their research the need to develop a broader base of community leadership opportunities emerged.
Representative leaders from various walks of life and geographic areas of Hendricks County were invited to a discussion meeting to evaluate the perceived needs identified by the Ag Council.
With enthusiastic response, the Leadership Hendricks County Steering Committee was formed to establish a strong year long curriculum of leadership development for Hendricks County.
By January 1993, and under the guidance of Rick Thomas, Chairperson of the LHC Steering Committee, the first class of Leadership Hendricks County was selected to participate in a series of day long seminars and programs developed to enhance their leadership skills and knowledge of Hendricks County's growing needs and opportunities. In April of that year they became incorporated with a 501c3 classification.
Moving to another level was the hiring of a part-time Executive Director in October 1994.
After the successful completion of several adult classes it was decided to offer this same opportunity to the young people of our county.
A task force was organized in 1997 and after many meetings and discussions with the school administrators Youth Leadership Hendricks County was organized. August 1998 the first class started and in April 1999, 28 high school sophomores from all 6 school corporations graduated from the new program.
Through the efforts of LHC and its alumni, all Hendricks County residents will gain a group of potential leaders who are more acutely attuned to the problems and needs, opportunities and resources; who bring to the community sharper leadership skills, energies focused on solving specific problems, and a network of associates with the talents and abilities to create a blueprint for Hendricks County's future.