Help Recruit Scottsdale's Future Leaders 

Scottsdale Leadership in now accepting applications for Class XXVI and we know alumni are the best resource for recruiting!  

Do you know individuals who have the drive to become great community leaders? If so, please talk to them about Scottsdale Leadership! Also, email their name, address, email and phone number to jrivera@scottsdaleleadership.org and we will send them information about the core program and an official invitation to the applicants reception.

The Applicants Reception is on March 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Tickets are $25; dues-paid alumni are free. Please register by March 18 online or by calling 480-627-6710.

Applications are now available online at scottsdaleleadership.org.

New Website Launched

Scottsdale Leadership launched it's new website. Please take a minute to log in and change your password, make sure your company information is correct, upload a photo and change any personal information that you would like other alumni to see. 

Your login information currently is: 

Username is first initial, lastname (lowercase) 

Password is password (lowercase)

If you encounter any glitches, have suggestions or comments, please email us at rbrockway@scottsdaleleadership.org.   

Reminder: Dues paid alumni are able to search the entire alumni database (names, classes, contact info, etc).    

Below is a sneak peak!  

Stay Connected

Name and Class: Eve Bilotas, Liability 23

Current place of employment, title:  Valley of the Sun United Way, VP, Constituent Development

Community Involvement:  Desert Botanical Garden, Member of Monarch Society Leadership Team, Big Brothers Big Sisters - Big Sister

How has Scottsdale Leadership enhanced your community involvement? The experience made me much more aware of the key issues facing our community and it inspired me to take action, whether at work or through my personal and professional networks.

What's the most important leadership lesson you've learned and how did you learn it? Leadership is about credibility and relationships. For example, when a project is successful, it is important for the leader to recognize the team's "win" and not take sole credit but when there is opportunity for improvement the leader should own that publicly and privately coach members towards success. 

What do you consider the keys to effective leadership? Be kind, inclusive, honest, forward thinking, have a vision and act with integrity.

If you were interviewing different community leaders, what one question would you ask to gain insight into how they lead? What's the most important leadership lesson you've learned and how did you learn it?

If you could solve any community issue or need, what would it be? There are so many important issues facing our community but if I had to pick one it would be education. I wish every student in our community, state, and country had access to diverse educational resources such as art and music as well as the opportunity to be taught by passionate and well-trained teachers.

What is your as-good-as-it-gets moment in volunteering? I've had many, but the most memorable have been those that allowed me to establish long-term relationships with the youth that I've mentored through Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Free Arts 20 Week Mentor Program.

What is your favorite gadget? I don't use a lot if gadgets but I am addicted to my BlackBerry.

What do you do to recharge your batteries? Hiking, practicing yoga and spending time with friends.

What was your most memorable Scottsdale Leadership Class day and why? Safe Communities Day: Taser demonstrations, wearing turnouts, crawling through a smoke filled building, putting out fires, going 50+ feet up in the ladder -need I say more? Not only was it a fun and exciting day but it also gave me a deeper appreciation of the risks that our fire and police personnel make every day to protect our community.

What advice can you give Class XXV? Go into each Class day with an open mind and really get to know your classmates.   

The city of Scottsdale it taking applications for the Desert Discovery Center Phase III Committee. Individuals with experience in fundraising, environmental education, non-profit management, exhibit programming and marketing of similar facilities are needed. The committee will be tasked with making recommendations to Council on funding capacity and options; and the business, management and operating model for the Desert Discovery Center. Application deadline is February 14, an applicant orientation will be held on February 16.  For more information:  DDC Phase 3 info & application.

Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library is currently looking for board members. A nonprofit, all-volunteer community organization the members support Scottsdale's public library system through a variety of activities. For more information: scottsdalelibraryfriends.org/.

Valley Youth Theatre (VYT) is looking for board members. Scottsdale Leadership alumni who have experience or interest in supporting youth and the arts are encouraged to contact the VYT about open board positions. For more information: dhc@gknet.com.

The Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation will hold it's annual black-tie dance party on February 5 at the Phoenician Resort. The Honor Ball benefits the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center. For more information: shc.org/honorball.

Mark Grace Bogies & Stogies Dinner 

Join Mark Grace and other celebrities, on February 10, for an upscale evening featuring dinner, wines and selection of fine cigars. All proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale. Event will be held at Scottsdale Plaza Resort from 6 - 10 p.m. For more information: bgcs.org.
 

Tea for Teal

On February 19 at 2 p.m. the Anne Rita Monahan Foundation for Ovarian Cancer is hosting a full service English Tea to raise funds for ovarian cancer research at TGen. The tea will be held at the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix. For more information: anneritamonahan.org.

Class II alumni honored

Scottsdale City Council has appointed Douglas Sydnor to the Library Board for a 3 year term. Friends of the Scottsdale Public Libraries selected Doug as a 2010 Spirit of Literacy Honoree. His firm also received a 2010 American Institute of Architects Western Mountain Region Design Honor Award for the Scottsdale Appaloosa Library.
 

Eileen Rogers, Class II, Making a difference

Congratulations Eileen Rogers for completion of her Big Birthday Wish. She and a friend raised $78,000 to build a school, buy supplies and help the village of Mali in Africa.

Class XXIV alumni honored

On December 2, 2010 Ted Collins and his family were honored by the Valley of the Sun YMCA as the Scottsdale/PV YMCA Family of the Year for 2010.
 

Class XXIV alumni appointed to Commission

Class XXV alumni appointed to Board
 Lisa Johnson Stone was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of Gabriel's Angels. Stone says "I am very certain my participation with Scottsdale Leadership was instrumental in my appointment to the Board."   
 

Kudos to Scott Palmer and our Board  

Scottsdale Leadership's Board of Directors assisted building a Habitat for Humanity house last spring. Salt River Materials Group who sponsored the green home and project director Scott Palmer, Class XXI, were recently awarded The Excellence in Economic Development and Energy Leadership Award by Governor Jan Brewer.