Representatives of the Auburn Development Council, Inc. (ADC), on Wednesday, March 13, presented the Nemaha County Commissioners information on a Nemaha County Leadership Program.
Daryl Obermeyer, ADC chair and Stephanie Fisher requested a county commissioner participate in the program. More information will be forthcoming  and plans are for monthly sessions on the second Thursday from August through March 2014. It is similar to programs conducted in other cities. Focus will be on team building and leadership skills, Fisher said.
Fisher said target size for the program is eight, 12 to 15 participants. That would be a group who can cohesively meet. Cost is $150 per participant. It is hoped to get sponsorship from businesses. Goals are to identify leaders and provide skills for them to lead Nemaha County, and for entities to try and work together as much as possible, she said.
“We believe in empowering people to make a difference and better our county. We want to move forward as a county,” Fisher explained.
Monthly sessions will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch is provided. Fisher said it is hoped to serve lunch at the host business or entity. Lunch sponsors may be sought.
The program will have an email address, and a brochure with an application form is being compiled, she said.
Planning committee members are: Kim Beger, Auburn city administrative assistant; Jackie Lunzmann of JJ Palmtag, Inc.; Obermeyer and Fisher of Pizza Hut.
Fisher said the program was developed after an information meeting. Invited were representatives of Nebraska Public Power District, Omaha Public Power District, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Black Hills Energy, Nebraska City Tourism & Commerce and ADC; as well as Auburn Mayor Scott Kudrna and Beger. She said a lot of great thoughts were presented at the information meeting.  
“We hope to do well the first year,” Fisher commented.
Topics covered at the monthly sessions are:
Aug. 8: Introduction, team building, and history of Auburn and Nemaha County.
Sept. 12: Education from preschool to college.
Oct. 10: Health care and quality of life.
Nov. 14: Business, industry and agriculture/economic development.
Dec. 12: Local government and tourism.
Jan. 9: Energy, both city and Nebraska Public Power District.
Feb. 13: State government, visit to the State Capitol with the Leadership Nebraska City group.
March 13: Graduation.
Commissioners Updated on ADC Activities
Obermeyer requested the commissioners consider supporting ADC at budget time.
He said ADC has six new directors, a good future and increased involvement. Participants come from several cities and villages. New 2013 directors are: Joe Casey, Katy Billings, Fisher, Heather Pemberton, Lunzmann and Dennis Park. Besides Obermeyer, other directors are: David Pippert, vice chair; Annie Thomas, secretary; Beger, treasurer; Kendall Neiman, Carla Mason and Cindy Newton.
Another ADC project is a Nemaha County Youth Initiative. Its goal is to encourage students to return to the area after college graduation. Pemberton is working with Auburn Public Schools staff and Lunzmann with officials of Johnson-Brock Public Schools.