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10/24/2005: "SJC Leadership Class Of 2006"

(File photo of Last Years Leadership Class)

Leadership San Juan Islands selection of an outstanding and diverse group of individuals from the island community for the class of 2006 are:

o San Juan Island: Kristina Bayas, Chinmayo, Richard Civille, Bonnie Gilmore, Katherine Weller Hagn, Deborah Hopkins, Kristine Odle, Shannan Sword, and Helen Venada.
o Orcas Island: Bonnie Bossler, Matt Maher, Mieka Neenan, Karen Rouleau-Miller
o Lopez Island: Susie and Nick Teague

These individuals come from the public, business and nonprofit sectors and bring with them an outstanding background of community service. They include among them the directors of United Way, the San Juan Island Visitor's Bureau, the Prevention Coalition, several private business consultants, a librarian, an architect/builder, an artist, and many board members, program developers and community activists.


Leadership San Juan Islands is a countywide tuition-based program to educate and motivate community members interested in developing their professional leadership skills and in learning more about issues affecting San Juan County. The program will continue through May 2006 with monthly Challenge Days held at locations throughout the islands presenting speakers, discussions and activities. Major areas to be covered in the program are leadership skills (such as listening, facilitation, meeting management, collaborative problem solving, coaching, planning, research, and public speaking) as well as the local systems of governance, economics, social services, education and environment. Each participant will provide one year of voluntary service to a local nonprofit organization following commencement. Graduates will continue their leadership learning through service in what is hoped will be a life-long commitment to civic engagement.

Leadership San Juan Islands is a volunteer effort. The services of a large number of community members have been donated to develop this program. Individuals, businesses, community and service organizations are sponsoring over half of the participants. Grants were received to initiate the program from the Confidence Foundation and the San Juan Island Community Foundation. LSJI currently has 50% of its budget achieved through tuition, sponsorship and other donations. There are still opportunities for sponsoring one or more of these individuals as well as program sponsorship. The program is a joint project of Skagit Valley College-San Juan Islands, the San Juan County Economic Development Council and United Way of San Juan County.

For more information, sponsorship opportunities, and/or donations please contact the Coordinating Council Co-Chairs: Gretchen Krampf, (LSJI '05) ( gretchen.krampf@leadershipsanjuanislands.com ) or Jim Skoog, SJC Economic Development Council, ( arrowhead@rockisland.com ), or the LSJI Program Coordinator, Shannon Calverley (LSJI '05) (Calverley@interisland.net) (378-2742).

The mailing address is
Leadership SJI c/o Skagit Valley College
221 Weber Way
Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

For more information and a program calendar visit our website at www.leadershipsanjuanislands.com