Leadership creates positive change in communities. Fanning’s community leadership programs help develop knowledgeable, skilled, committed, and action-oriented leaders.
Participants from various backgrounds and different perspectives enhance their existing leadership skills and gain a better understanding of themselves and their roles as community leaders so that they can ultimately impact community vitality.
The Fanning Institute works with chambers of commerce to strengthen communities by developing effective leaders of all ages and enhancing organizational capacity. We offer customizable services including adult and youth leadership programs, curriculum design, facilitation training, team-building sessions, and strategic planning. Our expertise also includes board governance training, executive coaching, organizational assessments, and community engagement strategies such as needs assessments and town hall facilitation. Every program is tailored to meet the unique needs of your chamber and community.
For more information, contact Info@fanning.uga.edu.
Succession planning ensures organizational stability by preparing for leadership transitions and unexpected vacancies. It involves the board and CEO in assessing current needs, future challenges, and developing strategies to identify and prepare future leaders. For more information, contact SMedlin@uga.edu or JLMeehan@uga.edu.
The Community Leadership Program (CLP) develops emerging leaders across Georgia through a customizable curriculum focused on leadership skills, self-awareness, and community impact. Delivered through five core modules and optional additions, CLP includes hands-on activities and expert facilitation, with Fanning Institute support available for program design, training, evaluation, and sustainability. For more information, contact Info@fanning.uga.edu.
Having a vision for where your community wants to go in the future is important, and a first step for community leaders to take in realizing that future vision is to take stock of where the community is now. Fanning uses a collaborative approach to community needs assessments that include town hall events, focus groups, and individual interviews to ensure all stakeholder groups are represented throughout the process.
For more information on community needs assessments or to tailor a program for your community or organization, contact Info@fanning.uga.edu.
This initiative provides communities and organizations with expert support to develop or expand leadership programs that promote long-term civic and economic growth. Each year, applicants propose leadership-focused projects aimed at addressing local challenges. Selected groups receive in-kind assistance, including technical expertise and facilitation, from Fanning faculty to collaboratively design and implement their initiatives.
The initiative has helped communities like Elbert, Appling, and Fitzgerald-Ben Hill counties strengthen adult leadership programs, supported youth leadership efforts in Barrow County, and fostered new models like the Thomson-McDuffie Entrepreneurial Leadership Academy. Organizations such as Brightpaths Athens, GEEARS, and Carroll County Emerging Leaders have also benefited. For more information, contact BrittanyaP@uga.edu.
Leadership coaching helps leaders develop skills and manage change. Coaches work with individuals to identify challenges and create strategies for success using tools like goal setting, communication improvement, and behavior change. Ideal candidates include managers, new leaders, and those transitioning roles. Coaching occurs on a set schedule through in-person, video, or phone sessions.
For details, contact CDarbisi@uga.edu.
The Fanning Institute’s online leadership development certificate helps individuals strengthen personal leadership skills to lead more effectively in their communities and organizations. The program covers self-awareness, relationship building, and practical application, with participants progressing as a cohort and applying skills in real-world settings. For more information, contact BLeahy@uga.edu.
The Public Health Leadership Academy (PHLA), offered by the Fanning Institute and UGA College of Public Health with support from Georgia Power, helps leaders from various sectors strengthen their ability to collaborate and improve community health. The program includes five two-day sessions focused on discussion, peer networking, and practical strategies. For more information, contact CDarbisi@uga.edu.
The Public Health/Primary Care Leadership Institute (PHPC-LI), developed by the Fanning Institute, UGA College of Public Health, and Region IV Public Health Training Center, equips emerging leaders in HHS Region IV with adaptive leadership skills to address health-related challenges. Over eight months, Fellows participate in an in-person retreat, virtual sessions, and peer learning activities to strengthen leadership capacity across public health and primary care sectors. For more information, contact CDarbisi@uga.edu.
Regional Leadership Development helps neighboring communities collaborate to address shared challenges and strengthen their entire region. The Fanning Institute partners with organizations to design tailored leadership programs that identify and equip emerging leaders with collaborative skills, foster relationships across county lines, and explore regional issues and resources. These programs can be customized to meet the unique needs of any area, drawing on our expertise in curriculum design and facilitation.
For more information, contact Info@fanning.uga.edu.
Succeeding as a supervisor is an interactive workshop series from the Fanning Institute that helps leaders strengthen skills in motivation, accountability, and team engagement. Grounded in experiential learning, the workshop includes individual assessments to boost self-awareness and leadership effectiveness. For more information, contact Info@fanning.uga.edu.
The Fanning Institute designs and facilitates team-building programs that bring people together through collaboration, communication, and problem-solving. Our faculty can customize activities to align with your organization’s goals, whether in a classroom, boardroom, or outdoor setting. Options include high- and low-rope initiatives to build trust and dispute management skills, as well as ground-based exercises that foster teamwork and stronger relationships. Every experience is tailored to your needs, creating a dynamic environment for growth and connection.
For more information, contact BLeahy@uga.edu.
