Jan. 4, 2012
Registration begins Saturday Jan. 7 for a multi-year leadership education effort designed to help Southeast Kansas residents build the capacity to make progress on the region’s troubling health outcomes.
This is the beginning of an effort called Leadership and Faith-Southeast Kansas, a project that aims to knit-together people of faith in each of the five communities – Chanute, Iola, Pittsburg, Independence and Eureka – and touch more than 900 citizens over three years.
The Kansas Leadership Center announced its investment in the region in November through Leadership and Faith – Southeast Kansas. Now, people of faith want to get the word out to individuals and to congregations in the five communities.
Register now for the gateway events in March at: kansasleadershipcenter.org/leadership-and-faith.
“We are especially excited about this new program because it recognizes the history and ability of people of faith to make meaningful differences in communities,” said KLC President and CEO Ed O’Malley. “By focusing on one region to launch this effort, we hope to help people of faith build the leadership capacity necessary to address key regional health concerns in new and useful ways. We look forward to a significant and ongoing engagement with Southeast Kansas.”
O’Malley said the leadership center chose Southeast Kansas for the launch of the program because of the spirit of the people, the health challenges, and because of the momentum already surging there.
KLC will launch this massive, regional, leadership training effort during three sessions in March. Each of the multi-faith communities in each of the five cities will host five separate but simultaneous programs. The Leadership and Faith – Southeast Kansas program will begin with three sessions, over six weeks.
But KLC designed Leadership and Faith – Southeast Kansas as a starting point, not as a goal.
“The work is only beginning with these sessions,” said Program Director Sue Dondlinger.
Additional gatherings and feedback sessions will follow the initial Leadership and Faith-Southeast Kansas program.
Cost will be $25 per person and scholarships are available.
“The multi-faith component is very important,” Dondlinger said. “This program is designed for people of faith who believe they are called as a part of their faith to build stronger, healthier, more prosperous communities.”
Application process: People of faith and congregations interested in this program should contact Program Director Sue Dondlinger at: sdondlinger@kansasleadershipcenter.org.
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The Kansas Leadership Center opened in 2007 with a multi-year, renewable grant from the Kansas Health Foundation, and is charged with fostering civic leadership for stronger, healthier and more prosperous communities. To learn more, visit kansasleadershipcenter.org.
For media inquiries, contact Director of Communications Mark E. McCormick at (316) 712-4945 or by email at: mmccormick@kansasleadershipcenter.org
