Press Release--Community Leadership Training

Three East Lewis County community members -- Lynn Hamilton (Salkum), Chris Lambert (Mossyrock), and Paul Stewart (Mossyrock) -- recently attended a state-wide "train-the-trainer" conference in Moses Lake, as part of the Horizons community leadership program that is underway in seven states. They are now certified to teach the LeadershipPlenty® program to community members.

LeadershipPlenty® is a program developed by the Pew Partnership for Civic Change for people who want to work with others to take action in their communities. It is designed for people from different backgrounds and occupations who want to participate more effectively in community problem solving. It is free and open to teens and adults.

The 25-hour training covers 9 modules. Topics will include identifying community assets, managing conflict, planning for action, managing groups, making meetings work better, creating partnerships, measuring results, and race relations.

The intensive training will be held on five Saturdays: April 21 and 28, May 12 and 19, and June 2, 9:30 am-2:30 pm (participants are asked to commit to attend all five sessions). The classes will be held at the Mossyrock Community Center. Lunch will be provided.

LeadershipPlenty® training is available to anyone within the East Lewis County area that is interested, on a space available basis. Gas cards are available to help with transportation, and funds for child and elder care can be provided if requested in advance. The three certified trainers will also be available to present the program to other communities and groups later this year at no cost.

To sign up, or for more information, see http://www.horizonsweb.info/ or call the East Lewis County Chamber at 360-983-3778.

LeadershipPlenty® is part of the 18-month Horizons program, a community development program that seeks to reduce poverty through community leadership. It is coordinated locally by the East Lewis County Chamber of Commerce, delivered by WSU Extension (http://www.horizons.wsu.edu/), and funded by the Northwest Area Foundation (http://www.nwaf.org/).