A Joint Initiative Between     Heart of Wisconsin     Business & Economic Alliance and     Community Foundation of Greater     South Wood County

Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News July 28, 2008 - Community Leadership Program Seeking Applicants By: Paul Liebherr, for the Daily Tribune How can you make a difference in your community? The Heart of Wisconsin Business and Economic Alliance is now accepting participant applications for the 2008-2009 Community Leadership Program. The Community Leadership Program, entering its 19th year, provides interactive and experiential educational opportunities that enable people to better understand themselves, their community and their personal role in influencing community change. The program aims to establish strong communication networks among participants and community leaders and to encourage community volunteerism. Participants in the program meet on a monthly basis in eight sessions from October through April to learn about and discuss the following topics: the roles community service organizations and agencies play in our community, entrepreneurship and economic development, government systems, education and workforce development, conflict resolution and diversity, and how to influence positive change in our community. The learning is both interactive and experiential. The program begins with a two day, one night retreat that serves as an in depth orientation into the program. Throughout the monthly sessions participants are given opportunities to speak with experienced professionals who serve as day chairs in a very interactive environment. Hands on experiences offered in the program include participating in a case study “field trip” to a community that is similar to Wisconsin Rapids, taking part in a mock board meeting, touring local business and community agencies, meeting with government officials at various levels of government, and completion of one or more projects. The Community Leadership Program projects focus on the community and are designed as an application of the knowledge gained throughout the program sessions. Examples of projects include creating a local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, assistance in implementing The Neighborhood Table, the annual Snow Sculpture Spectacular, Community Care Day, and this year’s event, “What’s New at the Zoo?” “The Heart of Wisconsin Leadership Program helped me gain community knowledge, establish pride in my community, and it encouraged me to be more involved in the community,” said Brian Krzykowski, a 2007 graduate of the program and current program day co-chair. To apply or nominate someone for the 2008-2009 Community Leadership Program, or to receive more information about the program, please contact Krista Dhein at the Heart of Wisconsin at 715-422-4860. Applications will be accepted through August 15th, 2008.
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