Leadership Marion Recognized in National Study

A recent study produced by the University of Missouri, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and The Ohio State University shows that Leadership Marion is a viable program that is making a positive impact on its participants.

Past Leadership Marion class members (current Action Marion members) were asked to participate in an ongoing research project titled: "Impact of Community Leadership Education in the New Economy."

Former class members with current e-mail addresses agreed to participate in the study via an online survey. Fifty-three past participants during the years of 2000-2006 were identified to participate, and 31 (58 percent) agreed to complete the survey. This particular portion of the research project focused on the "Impact of Leadership Development Education Programs on Individual Participants."

"Study results indicate that Leadership Marion participants demonstrate the value-added knowledge that community-based leadership programs can offer rural community leaders. Participation in these types of programs can be instrumental in achieving a corps of community leaders and the development of community leadership," said Dr. G.H. "Budd" Sapp, Leadership Marion Director.

The research was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Research Initiative. The contact person is Dr. Kenneth E. Martin, Chair and Associate Director of Programs for The Ohio State University Extension. The following information was extracted from the overall report of the national study and from the report specifically produced for Leadership Marion.

In early 2008 an online survey was conducted to determine the effects of participation in community-based leadership education programs in six states (Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, South Carolina and West Virginia) and 24 localities. Each locality was selected based on their relative score on a "viability index" created by summing the ratios of per capita income and population growth for the locality and the state as whole. The index was utilized to assure all respondents resided in rural communities. In addition, a balance group of 12 control localities (two from each of the six states) was selected where no leadership development program had been held.

The survey technique methodology involved the participants rating themselves on the same questions twice, representing the way they assessed their knowledge and skills prior to the leadership program experience and then again after their experience. For the control locations, the same approach was used except the framework was shifted to reflect a time frame "five years ago" versus "today."

The survey was organized to include 32 individual indicators (items) in six different focus areas. A 4-point scale was used with answers ranging from "Strongly Disagree" to "Strongly Agree." The survey also collected demographic information on each completer.

The following information includes the six focus areas of the survey and an example of an indicator: 1) "Personal Growth and Efficacy" (I know how to assess and tackle problems in systematic ways); 2) "Community Commitment" (I strive to improve the quality of life in my community); 3) "Shared Future and Purpose" (I talk optimistically about the future); 4) "Community Knowledge" (I understand community structure and dynamics); 5) "Civic Engagement" (I am well qualified to participate in public issues); and 6) "Social Cohesion" (I try to deepen personal relationships with others in the community). From this data, the pre-program scores were subtracted from the post-program scores and these scores were computed as "impact scores."

The survey measured the degree of difference before and after participation in Leadership Marion. Participants in Leadership Marion (based on 22 fully completed surveys) demonstrated a significant degree of learning after completion of the program.

Leadership Marion participants out-scored community leaders where no community-based leadership education program programs on all six of the individual impact scores (outcomes). Additionally, survey results indicated that the calculated impact scores of Leadership Marion participants were above the average for all 24 treatment counties as well as the 12 control counties in six states, most notably in all six of the focus areas.

Other survey results included but were not limited to the following: the mean age of respondents was 48; the average number of years the respondents indicated living in Marion County was 23; 68 percent of respondents have immediate family living in Marion County; gender percentage of participants was split evenly at 50 percent; 95 percent attained some college, college degree, or graduate work; and household income levels ranged from $20,000 to $30,000 to over $100,000.

The 27th class of Leadership Marion is about to conclude in May 2009 and applications for the 28th class will be available in June 2009. The longevity of the Leadership Marion program and its most current accolades from this national research study demonstrate its viability and importance to Marion County. The past support of the many sponsors and individuals is very much appreciated and our hope is that this support continues in the future. 

Interested sponsors and participants for the new class should contact Dr. G.H. "Budd" Sapp, Leadership Marion Director, at (304) 367-4663 or ghbudd.sapp@fairmontstate.edu.