Leadership San Juan 2013 Graduates
By Morgan Meadows
Leadership San Juan Islands Class IX will hold its graduation ceremony Friday, May 31, 11:30-1:45 p.m. at the San Juan Island Grange, 152 First St., in Friday Harbor. Leadership Tomorrow’s Executive Director, Jan Levy, will be the keynote speaker.
The fifteen islanders are: Christopher Aiken, Faith Van De Putte, and Kai Sanborn from Lopez Island; Shannon Borg, Sheldon Gregory, Russell Guerry, Lucas Limbach, Armando Nunes, and Kim Secunda from Orcas Island; Lee Taylor, Tamara Weaver, Katie Fleming, Cathy Kromer, Sam Leigh, and Michelle Loftus from San Juan Island. LSJI alumni and the public are invited to attend.
Businesses, nonprofits, and public agencies across the county play a major part in the success of the program. Some businesses provide space for the cohort to meet and to enjoy overnight accommodations for the three overnight retreats. Cohort IX appreciated significant donations by Smuggler’s Villa and Heartwood House on Orcas, Lopez Islander Bay Resort, Lopez Island Vineyards, Grace Church On Lopez and Blossoms Grocery. Sponsorships, in whole or in part, were provided by either employers or local nonprofits. This year we thank the following sponsors: San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau, the San Juan Islands Economic Development Council, San Juan Island Prevention Coalition, National Park Service, Orcas Power and Light Company (OPALCO), San Juan Island Prevention Coalition, Friends of the San Juans, Windermere Real Estate San Juan Island, several anonymous donors.
Alumni of LSJI and graduates of other leadership courses refresh and recreate the curriculum annually. The Curriculum Committee designs and implements the program and supports the Program Coordinator position, shared by Liz Illg and Tara Dalton this year. Members of the committee for 2013 were Gretchen Krampf, Steve Hushebeck, Candace Jagel, Jim Hooper, Linda Lyshall, Morgan Meadows and Bill Severson.
The LSJI curriculum is designed to build group process and facilitation skills, as well as to orient participants to the various systems operating in the county. Analysis of local systems related to governance, economics, social services, history and culture, education and the environment are key curriculum challenges Participants are selected in the fall and spend January through May together with a staff of eight and many regional leaders. For more information see: www.lsji.org
