Reflections on Leadership

From the Winter 2007/2008 issue (Vol. 6 No. 4) of the Community Leader newsletter.
By Jim Krile, Retired BCLP Director

“Start where you are, Use what you have, Do what you can.”

This quotation has been attributed to sources as diverse as Arthur Ashe, Theodore Roosevelt and my brother-in-law, Maury. 

Regardless of its origin, it captures three key elements of effective leadership, which in my 36-plus years of community work, I have seen stand the test of time.

Blandin Reservation Community Leaders Mobilize Resources

Blandin Leadership Participants Help Create Youth/Elder Connections Mobilizing Resources defined: Engaging a critical mass to take action to achieve specific outcomes. Gaining a critical mass means getting enough people, financial resources, votes and organizations to make the project a reality.

Tapping Untapped Potential

We all know, without being expressly told, that our individual economic opportunity plays a vital role in the health, happiness and quality of our own lives and the lives of our family members.

Resources on Poverty:

Books to Read:

Leadership Toolbox: Creating a community with more economic opportunity

The following are five tips alums can use to begin to bridge understanding about economic differences at the grassroots level.

Duluth Alums Reflect on Leadership Experiences

“The difference Blandin is making is monumental,” according to Abbot Apter, a member of the first Duluth cohort to participate in the Blandin Community Leadership Program in October 2005. Since then, three more Duluth groups have become BCLP alumni and a fifth is scheduled for January.

Leadership Notes and News:

‘Leadership Notes and News’ is a regular feature of Community Leader celebrating the accomplishments and endeavors of Blandin Foundation Leadership Program alumni as well as the communities which have been served by its programs. This issue features Jerry Bentz, Pam Collins, Lourdez Schwab and Community leaders from the Grand Rapids/Itasca County area.