The future of the islands will be decided in the islands.
LEADERSHIP SAN JUAN ISLANDS is a countywide tuition-based program designed to educate and motivate community members interested in developing their professional leadership skills and to facilitate their learning about issues affecting San Juan County. LSJI started as a collaboration between Skagit Valley College and the San Juan County Economic Development Council. It continues today with support from the many businesses and non-governmental organizations that sponsor their employees to attend.
WHY: Community leadership programs are a means by which local communities take the initiative in developing a trained network of people engaged in community work. These programs train future politicians, business leaders, agency heads, educators, board members, and volunteers. Leadership San Juan Islands began in the Fall of 2004 and each consecutive class has produced Alumni committed to service in many areas of the County. “Give back” projects, as well as taking on permanent volunteer work and employment, have occurred in the areas of agriculture, transportation, environmental issues, business development, land use, governance, education, community development, recreation and the continuing success of LSJI.
WHAT: Our program is five months long, with up to twenty (20) participants. Candidates can be nominated by an organization, a company, or may nominate themselves. Most participants are sponsored in part by their employers, at least for time off from their responsibilities and in many cases, supported by the payment of all or partial tuition as a form of professional development.
The 2013 LSJI participants will attend three overnight Retreats and three other Challenge Days from January 2013 through May 2013. Retreats include both leadership facilitation skill building and Challenge Days. All Challenge Days feature local leaders as speakers, with discussions and activities on a major “system”. The major topic areas covered include:
- County and municipal government
- Natural resources and land use planning
- Economic development
- Social and health services
- Current issues in education
- Culture and history of the islands
The program is supported by the LSJI Coordinator and other facilitators who work with the participants to provide continuity throughout the program. Challenge Day coordinators work in conjunction with the Program Coordinator to produce these unique learning experiences.
COSTS: There is a non-refundable application fee of $35.00 due at the time of your application. Tuition for each participant in Leadership San Juan Islands is $650, of which the participant must pay at least $225 personally. Tuition is payable upon receipt of invoice after acceptance into the program and must be paid by January, 2013, unless other arrangements have been made. You have the option of paying with a credit/debit card through the Paypal link below. LSJI has some tuition assistance and payment plans are available. Neither your request for tuition assistance nor other payment options will impact the review of your application. (Please see the “Application Form” tab for additional information.)
Each selected participant will sign a commitment to provide one year of voluntary service to a local organization following commencement. Assistance will be provided in matching each graduate with an opportunity that matches the participant’s interests.
We urge you to consider participation in Leadership San Juan Islands as a commitment to the future. We see our graduates having a long-standing influence, actively leading our community in positions of responsibility in employment, government, non-profit enterprise and community action.
The future of the islands will be decided in the islands. Please join us!
For information, sponsorship opportunities, and/or donations please contact:
Liz Illg and Tara Dalton , 2013 Program Co-Directors
Liz: Email: lizillg@rockisland.com Telephone: 360.378.6104
Tara: Email: dalton@rockisland.com Telephone: 360-468-3875
Gretchen Krampf, 2013 Executive Council Chair
Email: gretchen@lsji.org Telephone: 360.317.8220
Linda Lyshall, 2013 Curriculum Chair
Email: linda.lyshall@gmail.com
Mailing address:
Leadership San Juan Islands
P.O. Box 713
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
