DESIGNING A LOCAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Presented by Beverly Stencel, ProfessorUniversity 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 inMapping 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 – Fundraising2 – Recruitment3 – 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.”