Leadership Training for Transforming the Community: A Participatory Approach

The study described here examined the effects of the leadership training workshops on selected residents in Clayton, a rural Alabama city. Data were obtained from 40 participants by a survey questionnaire administered 6 months after the workshops. The results showed that the workshops were well received and that many participants are using the information gained for community development. The participatory approach to training has sound philosophical and practical implications for effective community development. When participants are involved in identifying their needs and are included in planning of the training process, they are more likely to receive and use information provided.