Leadership Morgan Hill
– the community’s
”
grow-your-own leaders
”
program
– is seeking applicants for its 2003 class before the
approaching Nov. 15 deadline.
Leadership Morgan Hill – the community’s “grow-your-own leaders” program – is seeking applicants for its 2003 class before the approaching Nov. 15 deadline.
With a goal to inspire future leaders to community service, the nine-month training and development program is open to anyone with leadership potential who works or lives in Morgan Hill.
The all-volunteer program features a wide range of community leaders providing intensive briefings on local and state government, education, economic development, news media, law and justice, health and social services.
Morgan Hill city councilman Steve Tate was among the 22 members of the Class of 2002 who graduated in September ceremonies. The class’s a gamut of daylong briefings included:
– Riding patrol in a Morgan Hill Police Department squad car and then touring the Santa Clara County jail for Law & Justice Day;
– Learning how to face television cameras in a potential crisis for Media Day;
– Visiting elected officials and touring the state capitol in Sacramento;
– Getting firsthand briefings on the Silicon Valley economy and Morgan Hill’s adjustments to the new economic environment;
– Learning how to rappel down a hillside in Henry Coe State Park.
Skills training included developing new skills in problem solving, conflict resolution and team building.
“There are three dimensions of value to the program: education, community and friendship,” said Tate. “On the education side, you learn things you might have been taught before but in a different environment and with different peers. Secondly, there is community benefit because in this leadership forum, you approach is how a community would react.”
As for the people side, Tate says, “It is more than networking. You make valuable friendships that you maintain for a very long period of time.”
For its class project, participants launched a Back-to-School Family Night with an outdoor movie screening in a city park. The event is being considered for an annual event.
Leadership Morgan Hill is a part of the Vision Morgan Hill Foundation, a non-profit organization managed by the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce. The local program, founded in 1995, is similar in concept to leadership programs in 56 California communities.
The recruitment drive was officially launched following the graduation ceremony for the 2001 class Sept. 23 at Guglielmo Winery. Brochures and applications are available online at www.morganhill.org, or in hard copy at the offices of the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce.
Leadership Morgan Hill selects participants from diverse backgrounds and experiences who have a commitment to community service and potential for leadership. Applicants are evaluated a variety of criteria during the selection process. These include personal motivation, maturity, a directed idealism, and leadership ability.
Program alumni are available to talk with prospective applicants about the program by calling Cricket Rubino at 778-7211.
“We are pleased that we attract a broad cross-section of the community by encouraging applicants without regard to gender, color, race, age, sexual orientation, religion, disability, national or ethnic origin or political belief status,” said Michael Brookman Steering Committee chair.
