"When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too."
-- Paulo Coelho
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Thank you to our Sponsors!
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Happy Holidays!
Wow! Each and every year I continue to be impressed by the class of students participating in the Leadership Kitsap program, and this year is no exception. Our challenge days are going great, projects are already underway, and we aren't even through the holidays yet!
Our Marketing Committee is also working to expand our social netowrking presence. Find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and join us on LinkedIN! Stay tuned for more information on the Class of 2012, and other leadership opportunities throughout our community.
Happy Holidays to you and your family~
Sincerely,
Kathy Nelson
Executive Director
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How Leadership Kitsap Influenced Me by Cindy Purser Drover LK11
When Kathy Nelson emailed me to inquire if I'd be interested in submitting a paragraph or two about my experience with Leadership Kitsap, I was delighted. That is until I actually began to write the paragraph and realized the difficulty of summarizing enriching experiences that influenced my personal and professional growth. Gleaning selective moments of the challenge days, the speakers and activities that influenced me both personally and professionally has not been easy; it is as if I must examine a web and determine which strand is strongest.
The influence of Leadership Kitsap is both subtle and apparent. The apparent change is has been my renewed interest in the political process. Prior to LK, I briefly scanned the newspaper, mostly the obituaries (this started after hitting the 50 benchmark) and the comics. Now I read more than one source of local news, compare the information, and take into consideration the factors that influence the perspective, tax base, and choices of county officials. Apparently, I am a more informed citizen.
Within the next few months, I hope to serve on a county board. This is an additional development. Having always worked within my comfort zone-and community- its time to stretch out and experience steward leadership on a county level. I am appreciative of the opportunity to practice what I have learned about leadership- due to the sponsorship of both the Suquamish Tribe and Leadership Kitsap - it's time to pay it forward.
I wish to thank the person that suggested my name to Leadership Kitsap, and the people on the selection committee. Your confidence in my abilities has influenced my self esteem, self respect, and determination. This internal change was slow and more subtle. Throughout my life I believed that a leader was the other person, the one with the answers, or a charismatic personality, or high intelligence. I realize now that leadership is an ability to recognize our strengths and bring to the table our unique gifts and talents. During this past year, I found my voice and am coming to realize my potential and contribution. It was the leaders of Leadership Kitsap that empowered me to reach this potential and I am grateful for the gift.
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Team Building and Thoughts on Leadership Highlight Class of 2012 Opening Retreat
Kitsap Credit Union sponsored the Leadership Kitsap Annual Opening Retreat. Leadership Kitsap curriculum Co-chairs, Leslie Cole and Dr. Sandra Cross (LK10), along with Board member, Kelly Woodward (LK05), were the organizers. The 26 members of the Leadership Kitsap Class of 2012 enjoyed a beautiful two-day retreat at the Seabeck Conference Center on September 9th and 10th.
 | | Bid and Bridge winners |
Dr. Sandra Cross opened the weekend with an inspiring introduction to the values, purpose, and role of servant leadership in the community. Dr. Richard Strand, past Dean of Business and Technology at Olympic College, motivated the class with his thoughts on leading in tough times. Dr. Strand's perspectives on what it takes to be an effective leader was well received by class members. Leadership Kitsap Board member, Kelly Woodward led the class in determining class ground rules and expectations for the curriculum year. The retreat included team building activities for the new class members to get better acquainted, communication and leadership styles, Keirsey Temperament evaluation, and storytelling. Project Co-chairs, Jennifer Allik (LK11) and Schuyler Beaver (LK11), facilitated an in-depth overview of LK project guidelines and had examples of past projects on display for the class to view. The retreat was successful in getting the class prepared for their ten month community leadership journey.
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LKAA Enjoyed Fall Social at Toro Lounge
 | | Dr. John Maxwell and Kathy Nelson |
Following the "Five Levels of Leadership" Conference with Dr. John C. Maxwell, on November 1st,
 | | Tamara Ingwaldson and Roger Gay |
many Leadership Kitsap alumni, class members, and Board members met at the new Toro Lounge in downtown Bremerton.
Over 40 LKAA members enjoyed the Toro Lounge's well-known tapas and spirits. Look for a "Save the Date" for the LKAA Spring Social soon.
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Leadership Development Day Focuses on Class Strengths
"Most people think they know what they are good at. They are usually wrong...And yet, a person can perform only from strength." - Peter Ducker.
On October 7th, the Leadership Kitsap Class of 2012 spent an entire day at IslandWood, located on Bainbridge Island, discussing their top five strengths based on Strength Finders 2.0.assessments. Larry Nakata, with Town & Country Markets, sponsored the event. The class toured the facility and grounds of IslandWood led by experienced docents. The tour included a suspension bridge, a classroom tree house, a floating classroom, and the canopy tower. The rest of the day was devoted to debriefing the assessment results with the class broken down into their current service project teams. Mike Plotts, PSNS&IMF Employee Development Manager with the Command University, facilitated the four-hour debrief with the class. Board members, Leslie Cole, Dr. Sandra Cross, and Ruth Bond assisted Mr. Plotts. The class debriefed the day in their Core Learning Teams discussing how one can put their strengths to work.
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Class of 2012 Experiences a Day of Governance and Civic Responsibility
Governance Day was held on October 21st at the Kitsap County Administration Building in Port Orchard. Contract Management Services sponsored the event and Leadership Kitsap Board member, Ken Bagwell, planned and facilitated the day. Ken led a panel discussion about what it's like to be a public servant with local elected officials. The panel included: Bremerton School Board member, Dave Boynton; South Kitsap Fire Commissioner, Darla Hartley; and Bremerton City Councilman, Will Maupin.
Mike Botkin (LK98), Kitsap Community Resources, gave an overview of the history of Kitsap County; and Walt Washington, Kitsap County Auditor, explained the election process. A highlight of the day was "Lunch with the Electeds". Over 15 elected officials participated in roundtable lunch discussion groups with the class. Members of the class had many opportunities for one-on-one conversations with state, city and county officials. The afternoon included an interesting exchange between Port Orchard Mayor, Lary Coppola, and Poulsbo Councilman, Ed Stern, regarding their individual perspectives on government. Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribal Counsel, Gina Beckwith (LK09), enlightened the class on how county and Tribal governments work together. The day was insightful to the class on how governance in Kitsap County works and who the major players are.
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LK Class Explores Broad Spectrum of Learning Opportunities in Kitsap County
The objectives for Education Day were to learn about the broad spectrum of learning opportunities in Kitsap County, how things have changed in recent years, and how you can engage as community leaders to lend a helping hand. The Olympic College Foundation and Kitsap Community Resources sponsored Education Day. LK Board members, Kelly Woodward, Patrick Murray, and Dr. Sandi Cross organized and facilitated the day.
Rhodes Lockwood, Director of Olympic College (O.C.) Child Development and Family Center, gave the class a tour of the Early Learning Center. Afterwards, Kirstin Mueller, Kitsap Regional Library (KRL) Youth Services Librarian, read to a group of three year old preschool students. Carol Schuyler, KRL Support Services Director, explained how the various programs KRL offers can benefit students. Gayle Dilling, O.C. Early Childhood Education Faculty and Program Coordinator, gave a lesson on learning styles of all ages and how more have been identified in recent years. Kathy Avery, from Holly Ridge Center, gave the class an overview of the programs offered there and the various partnerships they have developed within the community. Beth Wallace, Bremerton Branch Director with Boys & Girls Club of South Puget Sound, showed diagrams of the new Youth Wellness Campus to be located on 44 acres of land owned by the Bremerton School District in East Bremerton. The final presentation before lunch was by Joe Davalos, Superintendent of Suquamish Tribal Education.
O.C. Culinary Arts Instructor, Chef Chris Plemmons, and his students prepared a four course Norwegian lunch for the class. The afternoon presentations included: Elementary Education with Patty Grenquist, Principal of Kitsap Lake Elementary; Secondary Education with Chris Fraser, President of North Kitsap Education Association; and Bob Cooper, South Kitsap School District Director of Visual & Performing Arts. The day wrapped up with a student panel representing Crosspoint Academy, Washington Youth Academy, and Olympic College, giving their perspectives on current educational successes and challenges.
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