Spring 2008 Valerie’s Corner

Dear Alumni:

Welcome! The Blandin Foundation Leadership Program is excited about the year to come and all that Community Leader has to offer.  In 2008, our mission for this publication is to continue to be a journal that is an ongoing education, training and resource tool for you.  In this issue, the Community Leader Editorial Team has chosen to focus on Community Leadership as a dimension of healthy community.

The editorial team chose this topic in response to the concerns we heard from you, our alumni, about the ongoing challenge of recruiting and retaining tomorrow¹s leadership in rural communities. Rural community leaders are asking questions around this topic such as: How do we plan for the next generation of leaders?  How do we get our youth and young adults involved in the community?  How do we instill the value of giving back?

There are no easy answers to those questions, but in this issue we strove to provide a springboard for discussion in your own communities. Included in this journal is our cover story on Roxanne DeLille, whose own life story truly illustrates how leaders can be grown, nurtured and mentored right in our own backyards. Two other stories in this edition, found on pages four and five, feature alumni initiatives to develop leadership skills at home.
And, as always, you can tap into useful tips and tools through the Leadership Toolbox on this page and additional resources list found on page seven.

We invite you to share your comments, suggestions for future articles, or success (and challenge) stories.  We¹d love to hear from you.

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