Members of Sharon and Farrell's Weed and Seed TALL Team are now armed with more skills to help them improve their communities.

Twenty members of the Target Area Local Leadership Team recently completed their first year of training. The group still has to complete a second year of training.

During the first year the team members were taught effective dialogue and systems thinking, TALL Team coordinator Marcia Brown said.

Team members learned how to be good listeners and how to speak productively in public speaking.

The goal of the training is to help community members learn how to work with politicians and leaders of the business community to make improvements to the target areas in Sharon and Farrell, Ms. Brown said.

Team member Kerry Howell, Farrell, said she didn't know what to expect of the training but thought it would involve a lot of homework and research.

A trainer gave lectures but there was a lot of role playing and question-and-answer opportunities.

"It was very helpful, very informative," she said.

The team met for three hours every first and third Tuesday of each month. Ms. Howell said when she joined the TALL Team she changed her schedule around the sessions.

"I'm very committed to our cause," Ms. Howell said.

"This team is very dedicated. I really take my hat off to these people," Ms. Brown said.

She said they work for no pay and sometimes have to take time off of their jobs to attend the training sessions.

After this team completes their training next year a new team will be selected to start a new two-year training course, Ms. Brown said.

The TALL Team is planning a Community Pride Month in May, when there will be events and activities to encourage neighborhood beautification, Ms. Brown said.

She said there is also going to be an opportunity for kids to learn about Weed and Seed at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the ERASE building in Farrell.