DESIGNING A LOCAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM Presented by Beverly Stencel, Professor University of Wisconsin-Extension UWEX Northern & Western District Scholarship Conference 2/20/07

Why A Local Leadership Program? “ All the historic evidence indicates that significant community development only takes place when local community people are committed to investing themselves and their resources in the effort. That is why you can’t develop communities from the top down, or from the outside in.” John I. McKnight and John Kretzmann in Mapping Community Capacity

Leadership Program Challenges  Program design  Program funding  Recruitment  Time commitment  Evaluating impact

Background Statement  Leadership Washburn County (LWC) is in its’ sixth year of existence.  Interviews with LWC alumni along with alumni continuing participation with the LWC program are evidence of significant program impact and transformational education.

Program Design  Client driven  Ad hoc committee of current leaders  Current leadership program presentations  Local leadership programs resource scan  Incorporated 501©3 with a board of directors

Program Design cont.  Curriculum - session content - session coordinators  Schedule/location  Recruitment guidelines  Applicant materials  Promotional materials

Program Funding  Incorporation as 501©3  Ad hoc committee fundraising  Program fees  Session sponsorships  Monetary and in-kind donations

Recruitment  Brochures  Flyers  Press Releases  Presentations  Personal invitations

Time Commitment  Can be substantial  Delegate, partner, team, collaborate, empower!

The LWC Team LWC board members must commit to at least one of the following: 1 – Fundraising 2 – Recruitment 3 – Coordinating a session The board provides program oversight and direction including participant selection, curriculum review and budget approval.

The LWC Team  Extension Colleagues: Basin, Ag & 4-H/ Youth Development Educators as well as CNRED specialists  LWC alumni

Measuring Impact  WHO?  What?  How?  Now what?

Measuring Impact – Who?  One-to-one interviews conducted with all LWC alumni from years one-four who could be located (36/39).

Measuring Impact  Who?  WHAT?  How?  Now what?

Measuring Impact – What?  What are you going to measure?  Our goal was to find out the impact of Leadership Washburn County on participants, their community and their organization(s).

Measuring Impact  Who?  What?  HOW?  Now what?

Measuring Impact – How?  UW-Superior social work student  Developed a survey  One-to-one personal interviews  Student paper

Measuring Impact  Who?  What?  How?  NOW WHAT?

Measuring Impact – Now What?  100% agreed that by participating in LWC they improved their community or organizational skills. - became more involved in school - increased their networking - were able to facilitate groups better - value community involvement more - understand personality differences

Measuring Impact – Now What?  One hundred percent alumni endorsement of the LWC program.  Over half are still involved with LWC in some capacity.

Alumni Testimonials  “I don’t know where a person could learn so much in such short a time.”  “My goals of improving my leadership abilities and style were definitely met.”  “I strongly support and recommend this program to anyone intending to increase their participation in the community.”