Vision 2004 Leadership Class recognized

The inaugural Rooks County Leadership Class, Vision 2004, was recognized at a graduation celebration at Cedar Links Country Club on December 15, 2004.  Eleven participants from around the county were part of the leadership training program conducted by Rooks County Economic Development.

Economic Development Director Roger Hrabe conducted the training, with the help of Jennifer Braun.  The training emphasized servant leadership and was part of a program originally funded by the Kansas Health Foundation to promote the development of leadership throughout Kansas.  Hrabe went through a two-year program to prepare for training other individuals and groups.

"It used to be that a select few individuals in a community made the decisions that determined the direction that a community would take" Hrabe stated.  "Today that model is longer effective or even possible.  New leadership must be developed that focuses on making communities, groups, and organizations function better by understanding different learning styles, and the importance of creating a vision, and understanding the importance of consensus and collaboration."

The participants are also encouraged to not only recognize the talents of others, but to also recognize their own talents.  "Too often people in our communities do not feel that they have leadership skills or have anything to offer.  But what we learn is that everyone has something to offer and identifying the talents of others can go a long way in developing a performing community."

The training for the eleven participants took place for four evenings over a one month period.  The eleven graduates of the 2004 class are Julie Becker, Steve Dreher, Kelli Hansen, and Nita Basgall from Plainville; Cari Riffel, Mark Lowry, Darla Juhl, Kathy Stice, Anna Muir and Lisa Solomon from Stockton; and Jim Circle from Woodston.

The Vision Leadership program will continue each year with citizens from throughout the county being given the opportunity to participate.  If interested in participating, contact Roger Hrabe at 785-425-6881.