What is Leadership Toccoa-Stephens County?

Strong leadership is an essential ingredient in the continuing development of a community. Leadership Toccoa-Stephens County, sponsored by the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce, provides existing and emerging business leaders with unique opportunities to enhance their civic knowledge of Stephens County, to sharpen their leadership skills and to connect with leaders from across the community. This program has provided participants a better understanding of how our community works, opportunity to build relationships with the region’s leaders and inspiration to use their talents to serve the community.

What Can Leadership Toccoa-Stephens County Do For You?

Leadership Toccoa-Stephens County prepares emerging community leaders. In this annual 6 month program, participants benefit from:

  • Formal and informal exchanges of ideas and experiences

  • Enhanced personal leadership skills awareness and development

  • In-depth view of community issues

  • Access to opportunities for community involvement

  • Understanding about the interdependencies between sectors of the local economy as well as the interrelationships of local issues

  • Knowledge on numerous subjects which prepare them for more active community leadership roles

Who is Eligible?

Leadership Toccoa-Stephens County offers two tracts of leadership. An adult class that desires to select a diverse group in terms of race, gender and occupation. Individuals represent areas such as business, social services, government, cultural, and educational organizations. We also offer a Student Leadership for High School Seniors. Class members must live or work in Stephens County at the time they submit their application.

 

2025-2026 Leadership Class


 

2025-2026 Schedule

Subject to change, check back for updates

 
 
 

August

Personality Profile Day 8:30AM

Thursday, August 21st - Youth

Thursday, August 28th - Adults

8:30 AM Camp Mikell (237 Camp Mikell Court Toccoa, GA 30577)

  • Take Camp Mikell Road about 2 miles & take the split to the left that is gravel/dirt road. Go 1/4 of a mile & parking will be on the left in a field. The parking lot is called Blue Ridge Lower Parking. Cross the road and go over the bridge and your building is the first on the left, Retreat Village.

WEAR SNEAKERS & COMFY CLOTHES. BRING BUG SPRAY. BRING A RAINCOAT.

September

Ag Day 9:00 AM

Thursday, September 18th

9:00 AM Eastanollee Sale Barn & Tour of the new SCHS Ag Center | Eastanollee Livestock Rd. Eastanollee, GA 30538

Introduction, mock sale, tour livestock exhibitor speak 

11:00AM Lunch

1:00 PM- 2:00 PM: Eastanollee Cannery | 582 Eastanollee School Rd. Eastanollee, GA 30538

Richard introduction, tour, sausage making, purchase

Thank you to Peach State Federal Credit Union for sponsoring lunch for the Ag Day!

WEAR CLOSED TOE SHOES and your Leadership shirt

October

Local Government Day 8:30AM

Thursday, October 23rd

8:30am: Breakfast at the Grand Jury Room (70 N. Alexander St. Toccoa- First Room on the Right)

8:50am: Introductions

9:00am: Jeopardy with Clerk of Court Tim Quick

10:00am: Overview of Elections with Bruce Carlisle

11:30am: Lunch

12:00pm: Depart to E911 Center on Virginia Drive

2:00pm: Day Ends

Thank you to the County for sponsoring breakfast!

November 

Industry Day 7:45AM

Thursday, November 20th

Adult Class: we are requesting that you please carpool to save space in the industries’ parking lots. You can leave your vehicles outside the Mitchell Allen Room since we will be returning there for lunch. Some are welcome to ride in the Development Authority vehicle as well.

7:45 a.m.- Students Depart from High School/Adults depart from Mitchell Allen Room.

8:00 a.m. - Arrive at 1st Industry

9:05 a.m.- Arrive at 2nd Industry

10:10 a.m.- Arrive at 3rd Industry

11:20 a.m.- Arrive at Mitchell Allen Room for Lunch

1:10 p.m. - Arrive at 4th Industry

WEAR CLOSED TOE SHOES AND PANTS. NO SHORTS. Wear your Leadership shirts

Thank you to the Stephens County Development Authority  + South State for sponsoring lunch for the Industry Day!

December 

No class!

January

Community Support Day

Thursday, January 22nd

Learning Tree Academy | 1661 Fernside Dr. Toccoa, GA 30577

Schedule:

8:30-9:30: Wellness Welcome | Coffee

9:30-9:45: Break

9:45-10:00: Activity Introduction

10:00-11:00: Activity | Life 

11:00-12:00: Problem Solving | Discussion

12:15-1:00: Lunch 

Thank you to 1st Franklin Financial for sponsoring lunch for the Community Support Day!

February

Community Spotlight Day + Graduation

Thursday, February 26th

The Historic Ritz Theatre | 166 W Doyle St, Toccoa, GA 30577

Schedule:

8:30: Welcome | Tourism, local economy, business development, quality of life with Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce

Break

Activity

11:30-2:00: Lunch & Grad Reception / Reflections at Lake Toccoa (201 Black Mountain Rd, Toccoa, GA 30577)

Wear your Leadership shirts and comfortable shoes for the first part of the day. We will be taking your official Leadership class photo!

You are welcome to change into business casual for the graduation reception.