Leadership Merced opened its first class in 1984. In the years of its operation LM has graduated over 400 Mercedians and equipped them to serve the community in meaningful and effective ways.

Leadership Merced is sponsored by the Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce. New classes are chosen in June, and the first class is held in September. The 10-month program concludes with a graduation ceremony in June. About 20 community leaders are chosen by application and interview for each class.

Those participating in the Leadership Merced program receive excellent information about the various facets of Merced County. Each month's class explores a different slice of county life: agriculture, health and welfare, business and economics, government, education, law and justice, and infrastructure. By the conclusion of each class, participants have explored a broad sample of county life.

Enrollees are required to give one Friday a month to the class and attend a class retreat in January. The commitment is large, but at the end of the class year, graduates have created great new friendships, become well networked in the community, and increased their knowledge and appreciation for what it takes to govern communities.

The object of Leadership Merced is to inspire and train new community leaders. At the last class of the year, participants are given opportunities to volunteer in wide variety of community agencies that serve our county.

Leadership Merced is always looking for energetic and bright new leaders. How about you?