The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
SOMERVILLE –Two township residents are among the 21 members of the Leadership Somerset Class of 2017.
Terrene Collins and Tanya Kaplan were among those participating in the Dec. 5 graduation ceremony held at the Somerset County Administration Building on Grove Street, here.
Leadership Somerset is an adult community leadership program for people who live or work in Somerset County.
As a requirement of graduation, program participants are asked to identify and implement a class project for the benefit of the community, according to a press release about the program. This year, one of the project teams supported the Arc of Somerset County by designing and installing a sensory playground at the Jerry Davis Center for Children and Families in Manville. The team was able to form partnerships that helped them to secure donations and build the playground for children who attend the center.
Other members of the Class of 2017 used their marketing talents to help CASA SHaW (Court Appointed Special Advocates of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties) increase its outreach efforts, according to the release. The project team developed consistent branding, improved the agency’s digital presence and mobilized expert networks.
During the ceremony on Dec. 5, graduates offered a summary of their class projects and a definition of what leadership means to them.
Established in 2000, Leadership Somerset is sponsored by Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Somerset County Business Partnership, Raritan Valley Community College and the United Way of Northern New Jersey.
Participants of the program discover county resources, network with community leaders, build capacities of positive leadership, enhance team and leadership skills, and make a positive impact in the community. An eleven-month program, Leadership Somerset looks forward to inducting its Class of 2018 on Jan. 10.
For more information, contact Leadership Somerset at (908) 231-7040 or LeadershipSomerset@co.somerset.nj.us. Discover Leadership Somerset on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.
