Leadership Genesee exists to empower people to engage in compelling and strategic civic engagement, affecting deep, transformative change in our community.
Leadership Genesee is now recruiting for the 2009-10 program, scheduled to begin in October. The program brings together professionals from throughout Genesee County for an in-depth look at personal, professional, and community leadership issues. Participants meet for one full day each month, in different locations and with various community leaders in education, government, business, and the nonprofit sectors. The program moves participants from “head to heart to feet,” making a commitment to be part of the solution to challenges facing the community. Here’s the application:
leadership-genesee-2009-10-application2
“Because of Leadership Genesee, I now see myself not only as a participant for positive change but a visionary who will stand up to demand positive change for Flint and Genesee County.” This statement is from Denise Yarbrough, a 2008 graduate of Leadership Genesee program.
Leadership Genesee emphasizes local leadership development by raising participants’ community awareness, allowing participants to network with existing and new leaders, fostering participants’ sense of civic responsibility and engagement, and exposing participants to new research-based ideas and insights about our county’s economic, social, and political future.
Participants explore their own leadership styles as they examine four elements to effective leadership and civic engagement:
- Self: Understanding how to lead must begin with an understanding of one’s self: strengths, challenges, values, and life’s purpose.
- Others: Successful leadership involves engaging in relationships with others, communicating clearly, providing support, and creating environments that foster the best in people.
- Action: Leadership is about movement and direction, stimulating action and change.
- Community: Leaders promote change or action within the communities and organizations in their sphere of influence, understanding the unique values and climate of each community.
Laura Zuck, from Baker College of Flint, remarked: “The Leadership Genesee program is AMAZING! If you are not native to this area, this program will give so much eye-opening information, not only about the past history, but about the present resources and future plans of the community. I have met some great people along the way and enjoyed all aspects of the program. I have much more knowledge about Genesee County and look forward to using it in my professional and personal life.”
