School is in Session
by MacKenzie Rawcliffe
Sometimes going back to school is just what a community needs to get back on its feet. That is the idea behind the Washington County Leadership Institute. The founders hope that by educating citizens in the theory and practice of leadership skills, they will foster a more involved, informed and engaged population. After working with 163 local community members over 10 years they have learned a thing or two about how to nurture new leaders.
“The most important thing is the networking” says Institute director Jennifer Peters. She has found that it isn’t only what participants can learn from Institute leaders, but what they can learn from each other that is the most important. To encourage this, the Institute invites alumni of the program back to present what they have done since they graduated, and meet with new classes. They also don’t rely on just one person to teach the participants everything, they bring in as many outside experts and moderators as they can to enhance and enrich the participant’s experience. Collaboration beyond the seminar is encouraged and each class chooses a specific project or area to work on together. Soon, Peters hopes to have alumni come back to let students work on existing projects with them. Another important part of the schedule is the time they spend discussing what they’ve learned. This feedback helps the participants internalize what they’ve learned and compare what they’ve taken from the sessions with what others have, and finally it gives the program some very valuable feedback. Often participants admit to being doubtful about the approach at the beginning of class but by the end have realized how the lessons can apply to their lives.
When the Institute started through the University of Maine at Machais in 1996, many of the participants were from larger businesses. As the years went on and word of mouth from graduates spread, participation became more diverse. The Institute’s program consists of nine day long seminars spread over several months each spring . Every seminar is held in a different area of Washington County and sponsored by a different business. Peters says she acts as “the mom” making sure “everyone is properly fed, watered and housed” but she also works hard to make sure the speakers, venues and topics for the seminars are well chosen and meet the everchanging needs of the participants. This means planning schedules far in advance and sending out reminders, just in case.
Perhaps most importantly, it means bringing to the program an understanding of the people and the places of Washington County. “The most important resource is your people” Peters says, “Many students already have leadership skills but just don’t realize that is what they are.” The Institute works to help students realize the potential they already have. They encourage participants from all walks of life to come and learn real leadership skills they need and give them the confidence to use them to stand up for what they believe in.
For more information see their website at www.sunrisecounty.com