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Dear Alumni:
When the Community Leader editorial team met in the spring to discuss content for upcoming editions, there was quickly consensus that our alumni were facing extraordinary challenges as community leaders.
Posted by John Weyer on July 17, 2007
I have created this space as an opportunity to continue my journey in life-long learning. As the new Leadership Director I would like to invite you to share your stories, experiences and struggles as rural community leaders.
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Nitaya Jandragholica said
Dear Val,
This line of communication is fantastic.
I am so glad that I had a chance to meet you during the recent Advance Academy and I look forward to seeing you once again in the future possible Advance Academy 2008 focused on Diversity. The constant change of the face of rural MN is very dear to me not only as a community member but as an individual since I have made this place my home and I certainly do not look Scandinavian. Austin Minnesota (Mower County) has experienced first hand during the last 10 years the tribulations of the diverse population and the demands that come with it. As a Community member I have compared the similarities between diverse newcomers in the community with the change in dynamics when having a new family member. I remember vividly having at least 8 to 9 months to prepare my oldest son for the new baby. It still took a lot of education, preparation, heart to heart conversations about unfounded fear and so on. Needless to say, with all this preparation we still had some challenges. When we have newcomer in our community my experience is that one has not had “prep time so to speak” However the fears are the same, and I keep this in mind when I try to educate. Would you so kindly share your thoughts?
Paula Frings said
Valerie,
It was my pleasure to meet you last week during the Community Partners in Leadership program at Ruttgers. Your energy will bring good things to the wonderful Blandin Leadership Programs. As a participant of BCLP, 2 academies, and CPIL, I feel fortunate to have honed and continue to hone my leadership skills while giving back to the community. If there is anything that you need, please do not hesitate to call. Welcome!! P
Pam Collins said
Dear Valerie, I am a 2007 alumni of Blandin and I wlecome you to this fine organizaation. I have never met so many dedicated people and encouraging leaders for us out there in the field trying to make a difference. I am writing to share with you a success of mine. I was named citizen of the year here in Staples for 2007. I moved here 8 years ago and thought my life had ended. I found out it was the best thing that had happened to me. I helped open a youth run coffee house and got involved with some organizations. I love small town living and particularly Staples. I am a bit uncomfortable tooting my own horn, but decided to share this news with Blandin. There are so many people here that make a difference in life here and so many people who should have gotten this award instead of me. I am blessed every day when I work with this community in varied ways. That saying,”you can’t do it alone, but you have to do it”….something like that….anyway..It is so true. If everyone did just ONE thing in their community the work load would be much lighter. We as a community march forward in hopes of being a bright inviting place that people will want to call home. I know I have and if I can do it, anybody can! Thanks for your time. Have a wonderful year! Pam Collins
Valerie Shangreaux said
Dear Nitaya, Paula, and Pam,
I’d love to respond to each of you separately, but as you can see, that would mean posting three separate replies. So, I’ll take it one at a time:
Nitaya,
It was a pleasure to meet you as well. We didn’t get to talk much but I hope we get more opportunities to do so in the near future. What a lovely analogy you drew about newcomers to the community and new babies! I hadn’t thought of it that way, but you are so right. As a newcomer myself, I resonated with your analogy. I am truly inspired by the Blandin Foundation, the Leadership Programs team, and all the Leadership alumni. Their dedication and passion for working together to build healthy communities is genuine and I feel and see it every day working here at the Foundation and living in the Grand Rapids area.
Paula,
I enjoyed meeting you too. I am still in awe of the powerful work that got done at CPIL! What I was most touched by was the fact that it wasn’t about “programs” but rather about relationships and people who are willing to cross lines and break down barriers in their personal lives, as opposed to simply talking about it. You and the other participants are a credit to your community. I applaud you.
Pam,
I hope we get to meet some day. Congratulations on being named Citizen of the Year. Those are just the kinds of successes we love hearing about. I’m sure the award went to exactly who “should” have gotten it. While I do not know all the details, I’m sure you were fully deserving of it. Thank you for caring enough about your community to reach out and touch lives at a time when you too might have needed some support. You’re an inspiration to me.