YORK — State Rep. Lydia Blume, D-York, has been selected to participate in one of the in leadership development programs for state government officials, The Council of State Governments’ Henry Toll Fellowship program.

The 48 leaders in the Class of 2016 Toll Fellowship program hail from 29 states, Puerto Rico and Guam and represent all three branches of state government. A 12-member committee of state leaders, many who are Toll Fellows themselves, reviewed applications and selected the class.

“I am interested in the opportunity to contribute and learn from a focused and structured program on leadership in state government,” said Blume. “I admire many of the people who have been CSG Fellows.”

For 30 years, the Toll Fellowship program, named for CSG founder Henry Wolcott Toll, has convened a group of the nation’s top state officials for an intensive, six-day, five-night intellectual boot camp. This year’s program will be held Aug. 26-31 in Lexington, Kentucky.

The program’s agenda includes a lineup of speakers and sessions designed to stimulate personal assessment and growth, while providing networking and relationship-building opportunities. Each year’s program is unique; previous programs have included sessions on leadership personality assessment, media training, crisis management, appreciative inquiry and adaptive leadership.

“The Toll Fellowship program provides elected officials with an invaluable and incomparable leadership development experience,” said David Adkins, CSG executive director/ CEO. “In addition, the program fosters lasting friendships among a diverse group of elected officials with a like-minded passion for public service.”

Toll Fellows alumni include Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap; Oregon Gov. Kate Brown; U.S. Rep. John Carney, a former Delaware lieutenant governor; Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey; Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett; Delaware Gov. Jack Markell; Arkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin; Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill; Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate; U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita, a former Indiana secretary of state; and former U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis.

Blume said learning how to improve one’s leadership skills helps state officials be more efficient and constructive in evolving political landscapes.

“I hope to learn how to be more productive in shepherding bills, creating healthy and powerful coalitions and promoting good policy for my constituents and the state of Maine,” said Blume.