thedailytimes.com : Your 24/7 news source

Three dozen people who don't know each other, coming together to make a lasting difference in this community.

Sprinkle in bus rides across town, overnight retreats, a ropes course challenge and major group project, and you get a better idea of what Leadership Blount is all about.

Christy Newman, community relations manager for ALCOA Inc. is a 2009 graduate of the program. She said labeling her classmates strangers in the beginning is an accurate description. But that changed after the initial meetings, the challenge of a ropes course at Maryville College and spending time with each other here and away.

"You would be surprised at how quickly you get to know people in those circumstances," Newman said.

Cathy Cate is the executive director of Leadership Blount. It is the intention of the organization to put people together from different backgrounds, genders, professions and geographical areas, she said.

"It is very much on purpose," she explained. "The point really is as the group develops over the months that they can look at issues coming from all perspectives."

The team of 36 meets for the first time in late July for introductions and orientation. Then quickly there is an overnight retreat and visit to that towering ropes course. The barriers begin to get broken down.

More than strangers

Shirley Carr Clowney, a member of the Leadership Blount Class of 2003, said she knew practically none of her fellow classmates before she embarked on this nine-month journey of learning more about her community. She said she was probably the oldest member of that group and vividly recalls that ropes course at Maryville College. It was a challenge that she defeated.

The Maryville resident said she didn't really have any expectations going into Leadership Blount but was impressed by the education she received. People who live here all of their lives may think they know all there is to know about Blount County, but they would be wrong, Clowney said.

Clowney now sees her role as an encourager for other people considering applying for the program. She especially would like to see more people of color get interested.

"They tend not to get involved in things like that like I think they should," she said. "I am a great encourager for it because of what it did for me."

These community leaders, volunteers, educators and other professionals transform from strangers to teammates over the course of nine months, Cate said. The activities they complete help them feel more comfortable with each other which makes them feel more at ease as they work on this county's problems.

"Our hope is that the problem-solving activities mimic community problem solving," Cate said. "This small group with its 36 members and all of its diversity mimics our county."