MARCH UPDATES

March 30, 2025 - Leadership Link

Why We Lead: Civic Engagement with Purpose

At the heart of the Carolina Wildlife Center (CWC) is a simple but powerful mission — to ignite civic engagement and make a lasting impact on wildlife and the natural world around us. Our "Why" is rooted in education, advocacy, and hands-on support for the animals and ecosystems that depend on us.

Carolina Wildlife Center's Mission:

Rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured and orphaned animals.
Educate the public on conservation and environmental stewardship.

Each act of leadership, each volunteer hour, and each shared idea helps strengthen our collective impact. This is more than service — it’s a commitment to creating a thriving, sustainable environment for generations to come.

Let this section of The Leadership Link always serve as a reminder: we are here to lead with purpose, protect with passion, and act with intention.

www.carolinawildlifecenter.org

Have Questions?

Ashton Blume, Director of Development for Carolina Wildlife Center, recently shared a helpful FAQ with our cohort. If you have CWC-specific questions, Ashton welcomes you to reach out to her directly at development@carolinawildlife.org.

Important: If you contact Ashton, please also inform your committee chair before taking any action based on your conversation.

Where We are Headed: Project Priorities and Timelines

Based on feedback it is important to bring clarity and alignment around our shared goals in partnership with the Carolina Wildlife Center (CWC).

Based on a wish list provided by CWC, we have two top priorities/projects for our class:

Demolition of two smaller owl enclosures and construction of a larger capacity enclosure.

Status: On track for completion in April 2025.

Construction of a new storage facility.

Goal: Raise $20,000 to fund this project.
Timeline: Fundraising and construction planned between April – June 2025.

We are approaching month 3 of our 9-month service window (January 31 – October 31, 2025). With the first project nearing completion, the upcoming months will require active fundraising, collaboration, and outreach to bring the second project to life.

We would also like to allocate a portion of fundraising toward small landscape improvements on-site. This addresses a critical need for CWC and creates additional opportunities for sweat equity hours. Further details will be shared soon.

Let’s stay focused, aligned, and energized — our impact is just getting started.

Sweat Equity in Action

All sweat equity hours are currently being logged toward our first project goal — the owl enclosure demolition and rebuild. Your hands-on support is what makes this work possible.

To accommodate feedback from members with weekend conflicts, we’ve added an additional volunteer day each week. Thank you for your commitment and flexibility!

Upcoming Sweat Equity Opportunities:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A44A4A72BA3F8C34-55924501-construct#/

At this time, there are no additional events scheduled, but we’ll keep you updated as new opportunities arise. Keep an eye on The Leadership Link and our communication channels for the latest.

Let’s keep showing up and moving forward — together.

New! Monthly Virtual Check-Ins

While our Leadership Lexington County face-to-face sessions continue on the 4th Thursday of each month, we’re adding a new opportunity to stay connected and aligned between meetings.

Virtual Cohort Check-Ins

2nd Wednesday of each month
11:00 – 11:30 AM
First check-in: Wednesday, April 9

No pressure if you can’t attend — meetings will be recorded and shared. Link forthcoming.

Why this matters:
These quick touchpoints are designed to build stronger connections, keep momentum, and provide space for updates, questions, and collaboration as we move through our shared CWC project timeline.

Gratitude and Reminder

A huge thank you to everyone who was able to contribute to this weekend’s work at CWC — your time, energy, and commitment are what move this project forward!

As a reminder, please be sure to log your sweat equity and civic service hours to ensure they are counted toward our cohort’s progress.

Log your hours here: llc2025.com

Every hour matters — and every action brings us closer to our shared impact.

-J. Scott

March 25, 2025 - Sweat Equity: 3/29, 3/30, 4/2, 4/5, 4/6, and 4/9

Good evening LLC 2025,

There are several opportunities for sweat equity in the coming weeks. Here is the signup link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A44A4A72BA3F8C34-55924501-construct#/

When you arrive at CWC, check in with Ashton if you need to know what tasks are most pressing.

To help us manage parking smoothly, we ask that all volunteers coordinate with the designated point person for the slot/day. As Crystal did last week, you’re welcome to handle both parking coordination and work on the enclosures. Having a dedicated contact greatly improves communication, so filling this role is important.

Contacts:

Construction: Bobby Goss, 803-422-9408
General Questions: Julius Scott (803-479-9544), Matt Boyeson (803-238-3433), Danyelle Hall (614-318-3261), or me (843-568-9670)

See you all on Thursday!

Best,

Lindsey Woolley

March 23, 2025 - Leadership Link

Leadership in Motion

This past weekend was another strong step forward for our community. Thanks to the arrival of lumber and materials, we held a productive sweat equity day and made significant progress on the new owl enclosure. A reminder that the removal of the two owl enclosures and the rebuild of the new one was the top project that CWC identified for us. We’re right on track.

We also celebrated a successful CWC Baby Shower with an outpouring of generous donations. I'd like to think our marketing and advertising contributed in a meaningful way.

Finally, through your collected efforts, Habitat for Hoops/March Madness brackets, we were able to raise $2,180 to support our mission.

Let’s keep building together.

Our Commitment in Action: Civil Engagement and Sweat Equity

A huge thank you to everyone in the cohort for showing up—whether at civic events, volunteer initiatives, or putting in sweat equity hours. Your commitment to hands-on leadership is what makes this experience meaningful and impactful.

As a reminder, please log your hours at LLC2025.com. This helps us track your progress and ensures we can accurately report engagement to the Leadership Lexington County Board each month. Your participation isn’t just an expectation—it’s a testament to the leadership and service mindset we’re building together.

Let’s keep the momentum going!

We look forward to seeing everyone at Thursday's Leadership Lexington Day. During dedicated time given, each committee will provide updates on their progress, and we'll outline what's next to include timelines and key milestones. Your leadership is what drives our shared success.

-J. Scott

March 16, 2025 - Leadership Link

Maximizing Our Collective Impact

As leaders, our influence extends beyond the projects we complete—it’s about the awareness we create and the engagement we inspire. Whether through hands-on sweat equity, attending civic events, or amplifying our partnership with CWC, every effort counts. Our success is built on the strength of our collective action. Let’s keep showing up, speaking up, and stepping up!

Project Updates: Owl Enclosures

Our primary project, the removal of two owl enclosures, was successfully completed on March 8—a huge thank you to everyone who contributed to this effort! Up next is the construction of a larger owl enclosure, and we are currently awaiting the arrival of building materials. Once they arrive, we will create a sweat equity schedule and communicate details accordingly. As of today, we remain on track to complete this project by early April.

Looking ahead, our next major focus will be the completion of a larger storage space. Stay tuned for updates on scheduling and how you can get involved. Your dedication and teamwork continue to make a lasting impact—let’s keep building together!

Amplifying Our Impact: Marketing and Community Engagement

While our Marketing Committee leads the way in collaborating with CWC and supporting fundraising efforts, it’s essential that every cohort member plays a role in spreading the word. As leaders, our collective voice has the power to expand awareness, strengthen partnerships, and drive meaningful engagement.

I encourage each of you to actively share and post about CWC events on your social media platforms. By doing so, we help inform the broader community and advocate for CWC’s mission in a way that reaches beyond our immediate network.

Let’s work together to make sure our community knows about the great work happening—because visibility fuels impact!

Gratitude for March Madness/Hoops for Habitat Efforts

As we finalize the details for our March Madness fundraising campaign, I want to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for the incredible teamwork and dedication that has gone into making this a success. From securing donations and sponsorships to spreading the word through marketing efforts, each contribution has played a vital role in bringing this vision to life.

A special thank you to those who have reached out to local businesses, coordinated logistics, and ensured that our fundraising initiatives align with our mission. Your persistence and creativity are what make these efforts impactful.

LINK FOR MARCH MADNESS REGISTRATION--CONTAINS PAYMENT INFORMATION AND ESPN LINK/PASSWORD

Navigating Decision-Making in the Storming Phase

As our Leadership Lexington Cohort moves through the natural storming phase, it’s important to recognize that conflict and differing perspectives aren’t roadblocks—they’re catalysts for growth. One tool that can help bring clarity and structure to decision-making is the DACI framework (Driver, Approver, Contributors, Informed).

Driver – The person responsible for moving the decision forward.
Approver – The final decision-maker with the authority to say “yes.”
Contributors – Those with expertise or insight that shape the decision.
Informed – Stakeholders who need to stay updated but don’t influence the decision.

Using this model helps ensure that decisions don’t get stuck in endless debate or vague ownership. As we continue working together, consider where you and others fit in the DACI process—because clarity drives momentum.

Our Commitment in Action: Civic Engagement and Sweat Equity

Let’s keep the momentum going!

-J. Scott

March 9, 2025 - Leadership Link

Meet the Directors at CWC

We are excited to introduce the three dedicated directors of Carolina Wildlife Center (CWC), who are leading the way in conservation, education, and wildlife rehabilitation. Their leadership and expertise are vital as CWC continues its mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured and orphaned wildlife while educating the community on the importance of environmental stewardship.

These directors bring a shared passion for wildlife and a vision for expanding community engagement, volunteer opportunities, and sustainability initiatives. Their work ensures that CWC remains a vital resource for both animals and people alike.

We look forward to working alongside them and supporting their efforts to make a lasting impact! Stay tuned for more updates on how you can get involved with CWC’s initiatives.

Committee Updates

Projects (Bobby)

The trees have been removed, clearing space for future developments.
Both old structures have been demolished, marking significant progress.
Our team-building continued at the landfill (who knew hauling debris could bring us closer together).
We will remain in ongoing communication with Ashton regarding the anticipated arrival of materials for the next phase of work.

Fundraising (Gabriel)

Our March Madness fundraiser is in motion, and we appreciate everyone's patience as details are finalized.
The Fundraising Committee is working hard to set up logistics, finalize the bracket challenge, and ensure a smooth donation process.
Be on the lookout for more details soon, including how to enter, share, and support the challenge!

Marketing (Kelli)

The March Madness bracket graphic is nearly finalized—get ready to share and compete!
Sponsorship materials and pledge/payment forms are in development to help maximize fundraising efforts.

Class Treasurer (Danyelle)

We now have two official payment platforms for receiving funds: Zelle and Venmo.
As of now, no funds have been received, but let’s keep the momentum going!
Reminder: All donations, including in-kind contributions, must be tracked and reported.

Class Secretary (Lindsey)

The Google Drive is now fully accessible to the class—check it out for key documents and updates.
The class Gmail account is available for anyone who needs to use it.
We’ve received a large influx of civic event submissions—thank you for your engagement!

Event Information

Cohort Connection at Craft and Draft

Join us for an evening of fellowship and connection at Craft and Draft in Irmo on Wednesday, March 13, starting at 6:30 PM! This is a great opportunity to strengthen bonds, share ideas, and simply enjoy good company outside of our usual meetings and work.

We understand that not everyone may be able to attend, but rest assured—this is just one of many opportunities for us to come together, build relationships, and continue growing as a cohort.

Whether you stop by for a few minutes or stay for the evening, we’d love to see you there!

Thanks, Matt, for setting up this engagement.

When?

Thursday, Mar 13, 2025, 06:30 PM

Where?

Craft and Draft Irmo, Saint Andrews Road, Irmo, SC, USA

-J. Scott

March 6, 2025 - Sweat Equity Opportunity March 8

Good morning! Apologies for the additional communications, but I want to ensure everyone is up-to-date.

Our superhero projects and logistics team caught an error in the owl enclosure plan and lumber delivery will be delayed, likely until next week. I have made some changes to the signup as everything is moving to Saturday. In the AM, 5 people are needed to assist with tree felling, and in the afternoon, 15 people will begin disassembling the owl enclosure. If you are planning to go on Saturday, please go sign up again as I had to restructure the slots due to the amount of people we'll need for each task. Per Bobby, if you have any tools at home that may be helpful for disassembly, go ahead and bring them just in case (for example, crowbars, sledgehammers, saws, sawzall).

Sometimes plans shift despite our best efforts, and I appreciate your flexibility as we adapt. Thanks for rolling with us! Here is the link to the signup with updated slots:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A44A4A72BA3F8C34-55548120-move

-Lindsey

March 5, 2025 - Call for Donations - Prize Packs for March Madness Bracket Sale

Heyyy LLC 2025,

I will be the point person for our Leadership Lexington County donation drive to build prize packs for our March Madness Bracket Challenge!

Our goal is to keep 100% of the proceeds from bracket sales (priced at $20 each), and the best way to do that is securing donated items for prize packs. This is an incredible opportunity for each of us showcase the companies we work for while helping our class make the biggest impact for Carolina Wildlife Center.

How can you help?

I'm asking each of you to reach out to your company or personal network for donated items that can go into themed prize packs. Think:

‎Gift Cards (entertainment, retail, local business)
‎Branded Swag (coolers, tumblers, golf gear, apparel, etc.)
‎Products & Services (vouchers for services, fitness passes, wine/beer baskets, etc.)
Experiences (tickets, memberships, day passes, etc.)

I'll be tracking all donations, including who contributes what and the value of each item, to ensure proper recognition and price out the prize packs accordingly.

Why does this matter?

100% of bracket sales go directly to our class funds, helping bring CWC vision to life
Your company gets visibility through our promotions
The stronger our prize packs are, the more brackets we'll sell!

The sooner we secure items, the faster we can finalize the prize packs and add marketing materials to maximize sales before tip-off.

Next steps

Confirm what you can contribute and shoot me a text or email with your donation details.
I'll track all donations and keep the group updated on the prize pack themes (ideally 3 packs total, allowing space for the themes to emerge based on feedback)
Let's build excitement! The bigger and better our prizes, the easier it will be to sell brackets and knock a chunk out of our fundraising goal!

I'm here to coordinate and make this seamless for everyone! For any questions or donation logistics, you can reach me at 803-493-4494 (text/call), email, or groupme.

Let's make this a slam dunk for Carolina Wildlife Center! Looking forward to seeing what we can pull together.

-Ashley

March 2, 2025 - Leadership Link

Leadership Lexington County: Leading with WHY

Great leadership isn’t just about checking off tasks—it’s about driving purpose and impact. That’s what connects Leadership Lexington and Carolina Wildlife Center—both are rooted in mission-driven work that goes beyond the surface.True leadership starts with WHY—a clear purpose that fuels impact beyond tasks and checklists.

WHY: Leadership Lexington County and Carolina Wildlife Center share a commitment to civic engagement and service—whether it's developing leaders or protecting wildlife, both aim to strengthen our community.
HOW: By fostering collaboration and hands-on engagement, we create meaningful change, whether through leadership initiatives or wildlife conservation efforts.
WHAT: We take action—empowering leaders, supporting conservation, and driving efforts that leave a lasting impact.

"If we only focus on what we are doing, we’ll accomplish a task. If we focus on why we do what we do, we’ll create a movement."

Leadership on the Move: Updates from our Committee Chairs (Bobby, Kelli, Gabriel)

Projects:

The projects team is collaborating with CWC to plan our first sweat equity day. As part of our preparations, 2 trees need to be cleared in advance of the material delivery for the owl enclosure. Once the delivery date is finalized, we’ll be ready to schedule demolition and material prep. There will be plenty of opportunities for cohort members to actively participate, whether it’s removing the old structure, moving materials, or assisting with cutting and assembly. Our goal is to have the new enclosure completed by April, and we look forward to your involvement in this hands-on project!

Fundraising:

The fundraising team has finalized the details for the March Madness event, now officially named March for Wildlife. Currently, participants can submit up to 10 entries per person, with the possibility of increasing the limit to 15 if demand grows. To streamline the registration process, we are also considering adding password protection for added security. Stay tuned for more details as we finalize the logistics!

Marketing:

The marketing team is hard at work creating materials for the March Madness brackets, along with personalized sponsorship materials and an invoice document to support the event. Additionally, Kelli will be collaborating with Ashton (CWC's Director of Development) on a proposal for CWC’s promotional video, aimed at boosting visibility and awareness for our upcoming initiatives. We look forward to sharing these exciting developments soon!

CWC Wish List Update

Several members have inquired about the Carolina Wildlife Center's (CWC) wish list, and we’d like to share the following items as part of our ongoing efforts. Please note, this list is dynamic and not exhaustive. We are prioritizing these based on our 8-month timeline, and it’s important that we focus on what we can accomplish in this timeframe:

Large owl enclosure – tear down existing structures and rebuild a larger enclosure
Large storage area by the flight enclosure
Revamp of gardening beds around CWC's sign at the road
Extensive organization support in the outdoor areas around the center
Replacing our aviaries
Pressure washing the exterior of our building
Installing a new permanent sign on the outside of our building
Miscellaneous repairs to the inside of our building
Overhaul of our marketing and social media presence
Expansion of our building and addition of an additional structure

While this list highlights the major projects, there are other smaller tasks that will be addressed as well. Bobby and the projects team will keep us updated on progress and what can be tackled in the coming months. Your support and involvement in bringing these initiatives to life is deeply appreciated!

Navigating the Leadership Journey: from Storming to Performing

As we continue our journey through Leadership Lexington County, it’s helpful to recognize the natural phases of team development—something psychologist Bruce Tuckman outlined in his model of Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and Adjourning. Whether you’re working on a service project, collaborating with our cohort, or leading in the community, these stages play a role in how we grow and succeed together.

Forming: At the start, we’re excited but still figuring out roles, strengths, and goals.
Storming: Differences emerge—ideas, leadership styles, and opinions—but this is where growth happens.
Norming: We learn to collaborate, communicate effectively, and work as a team.
Performing: This is where the magic happens! Confidence, trust, and shared vision drive real impact.

Unpacking the Storming Stage:

During the Storming Stage, initial politeness fades, and differences in goals or approaches can lead to tension and conflict. This stage is normal – it’s a critical time to practice communication and conflict-resolution skills as the committee figures out how to work together through friction.

Committee Collaboration & Dynamics Questions:

Open Discussion of Issues: What are the main points of tension in our team right now, and have we created a safe space to openly discuss these issues together?
Communication & Respect: How can we improve our team communication during this stage? Are we listening to each other and respecting differing viewpoints, and what ground rules do we need so that debates stay productive, not personal?
Aligning on Goals: Do we have a clear, shared understanding of our goals and project plans, or do we need to revisit and clarify our objectives so that everyone is on the same page despite earlier disagreements?

Unpacking the Norming Stage:

During the Norming Stage, the team starts to resolve conflicts and develop a stronger cohesion. Members make a conscious effort to solve problems and achieve group harmony with more open and meaningful communication.

Committee Collaboration & Dynamics Questions:

Effective Norms: What positive team norms have we established that are helping us work well together (for instance, regular check-ins, dividing tasks based on strengths)? How can we ensure we maintain these practices?
Collaboration & Trust: In what ways has our collaboration improved since the storming phase? Are team members trusting each other more and openly asking for or offering help as needed?
Maintaining Momentum: What can we do to maintain our team’s morale and momentum? For example, should we celebrate small wins or periodically evaluate how our team process could be even better?

Unpacking the Performing Stage:

During the Performing Stage, the team is functioning at a high level. Members feel confident in the team and satisfied with its progress, leveraging each other’s strengths effectively. The group makes significant progress toward its goals with strong commitment, and roles become more flexible as needed. In this stage, the team runs like a well-oiled machine, though continuous improvement and vigilance against complacency remain important.

Committee Collaboration & Dynamics Questions:

Sustaining Success: What are the key factors behind our team’s success, and how can we ensure we continue to practice those habits? (For example, do we have excellent communication, clear delegation, mutual support, etc., and how do we keep it up?)
Even Better If…: Even as a high-performing team, is there anything we can do even better? Are there any minor issues or potential improvements we should address now to avoid future problems or stagnation?
New Goals & Challenges: Having achieved many of our initial goals, what’s next for our team? Should we set new goals or stretch targets to keep us motivated and growing, or find ways to share our success with the broader community or organization?

Navigating the Storm (Stage): Further Clarification of Committee Roles

As we continue to strengthen our planning, it's important to recognize that our evolving committee roles are a natural part of the "storming" phase. This stage reflects our collaborative process of defining individual responsibilities and expectations. While the adjustments may present challenges, they are essential in helping us clarify roles, streamline our efforts, and build stronger partnerships moving forward. Your contributions during this time are invaluable as we work together to refine our structure for greater impact. (Committee responsibilities venn diagram is below.)

Parking Lot Feedback Update

During our Leadership Lexington day, we used a parking lot system with posters displaying committee names to gather feedback from our members. The cohort shared thoughtful comments and questions via sticky notes, and we have addressed most of them through our committee updates, CWC's wish list and further clarification of committee roles in this newsletter.

The only outstanding question was regarding how sweat equity opportunities would be communicated to the cohort. After discussions between Lindsey and Bobby, they’ve decided that Bobby and his team will coordinate the scheduling of these opportunities, while Lindsey will handle the sign-up process to ensure consistency and clear communication.

If we have overlooked any questions or you have new questions please direct questions to Bobby (projects), Kelli (marketing), Gabriel (fundraising), and general inquiries beyond this to Matt (leadership team).

We appreciate everyone’s input, and as always, we encourage continued feedback as we work together to strengthen our efforts. Thank you for your contributions and engagement!

Closing Thought

Thank you for your continued dedication and hard work. Each committee's efforts are truly moving us forward, and it's exciting to see our shared vision come to life. Stay engaged and keep an eye out for upcoming opportunities to contribute! Together, we are making a lasting impact. Looking forward to another month of progress and collaboration!

-J. Scott

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