FULL CIRCLE: HEDC staffers complete civic leadership program

Two Hancock Economic Development Council staff members are now even more prepared to continue working toward the county’s prosperity after completing Civic Circle from the Community Foundation of Hancock County.

HEDC Community Development Manager Erica Boswell and Communications Director Mitchell Kirk completed the program, which offers eight robust sessions to prepare emerging and seasoned leaders for civic service and community engagement. Civic Circle is part of the Community Foundation's Talent Pathway, which features seven modules tailored to teach concepts and skills to community members whose civic involvement ranges from new to experienced.

Civic Circle 2024 began in February and included monthly sessions on these topics:

• Intro to Civics
• Markets, Municipalities, and Money
• Communicating as a Civic Catalyst
• Current Issues and Data for our Community
• Nonprofits Making an Impact
• Quality of Life Design and Planning
• Community Planning Practices and Standards

Boswell, Kirk, and other Civic Circle students learned much from the sessions thanks to them being led by experts in the topics hailing from area companies, nonprofit organizations, governments, and academia. The sessions also featured interactive activities and applications to local issues.

Boswell and Kirk were presenters at Civic Circle sessions as well, with the former discussing overcoming childcare shortages in June and the latter delving into interacting with the media in April.

HEDC Executive Director Randy Sorrell completed Civic Circle last year.

Learn more about Sorrell, Boswell, Kirk, and HEDC Operations Manager Anna Voorhis on our Staff page.

PICTURED: Boswell, left, and Kirk