EXCEL program starts in Lamar in February

The kickoff banquet for Experience in Community Enterprise and Leadership will be held Friday, Feb. 6, at Party Oasis in Lamar.

This three-month experience is designed to motivate and enhance personal leadership skills. Participants will learn areas in which Barton County excels as meetings are held at a variety of locations throughout the county.

The EXCEL program has a focus on "community" as the vehicle for learning. Participants also will have an opportunity to learn more about the DREAM initiative and explore ways to be involved.

This 2009 EXCEL class will also complete the Hermann Whole Brain Assessment. The results of this assessment allow individuals to learn more about how their brain works when they make decisions and solve problems.

"The assessment also helps people to understand how they function in a group or on a team. This information will be used throughout the course," said Tammy Roberts, nutrition and health education specialist with University of Missouri Extension. There will be two retreat style sessions.

"At Camp Barnabas, participants will be exploring teambuilding skills and assessing some of our personal skills as leaders. In April we will participate in University Of Missouri Extension Legislative Day," said Roberts.

Legislative Day is held in Jefferson City at the Capitol. Participants will tour the Capitol and learn more about the legislative process and sometimes even have the opportunity to see the legislature in session.

The EXCEL planning committee believes that any Barton County resident can benefit from participating. For more information, contact the Barton County Chamber of Commerce at (417) 682-3595 or University of Missouri Extension at (417) 682-3579.