Leadership Spokane Newsletter

The Servant Leader

A Publication of the Leadership Spokane Alumni Association

May 2009

Leadership Spokane Gradaution: Community Leadership Day

12 June 2009 at Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute

Please join the Leadership Spokane Classes of 2009 for Graduation & Community Leadership Day at the Mukogawa Fort Wright Campus on the 12th of June. The Reception and Volunteer Fair begin at 2:30 PM, with the ceremony following at 4 PM.

Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker is the featured keynote speaker. He will speak on leadership in the context of his 37 year career in the Foreign Service with broad experience in the Middle East. Most recently, he served as Ambassador to Iraq and was the first Director of Governance for the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad. In January 2002, he was sent to Afghanistan to reopen the American Embassy in Kabul. Other Ambassadorships include posts in Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait, and Lebanon. He was assigned to the American Embassy in Beirut during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and the bombings of the embassy and the Marine barracks. He has served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs and has extensive experience in Iran, Qatar, and Egypt, as well as Washington, DC.

In September 2004, Ambassador Crocker was promoted to Career Ambassador, the highest rank in the Foreign Service. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in January 2009. After retiring in April, he has returned home to Spokane.

Register your organization for the Volunteer Fair (a great opportunity to showcase your mission to highly-qualified leaders) or RSVP for the ceremony to Leadership@LeadershipSpokane.org.

Do More With Less? It's Better in the Long Run.

Allen Battle, Class of 2006

While sitting in an Executive Board meeting last week, our leader and my hero (Linda Finney) brought up this interesting question: how can we be good stewards of our resources and essentially do more with less? I thought this question was relevant to the current economic situation.

All of us have felt the impact and the media constantly reminds us that the  mortgage industry was at fault for over-extending loans to unqualified buyers --or maybe it was the fault of buyers  who were living way beyond their means in hopes of getting a big return in a hot real estate market? Some blame the auto industry for making and promoting inefficient, gas -guzzling  vehicles and increasing the price and demand for fuel.  Others fault current and past administrations for not paying  attention  and properly regulating the financial industry and Wall Street.

In my opinion, these are all legitimate reasons and could be argued with no sure outcome on who's right or wrong.   But, I don't think that's the point. Blaming doesn't get us anywhere. To lead through this situation, we need a perspective I find to be more positive.

The banking and mortgage crises  have taught Americans that the greener grass in that bigger home might just be be Astro Turf.  A more modest home could be enjoyed with less stress and a monthly payment that makes sense, instead of chasing that vain hope of a huge profit in a hot market down the road.

The auto industry has realized that more fuel-efficient vehicles are essential to staying in business. It will make our nation stronger by reducing our dependence on foreign oil and maybe even help us to adjust financial support to countries that don't like us in the first place. My point is that it's possible there's an upside to the economic crisis--what Time Magazine is calling the "new frugality." It's a good time to analyze our priorities. Spokane is a resilient and strong community. To do more with less can indeed be better in the long run!

Allen Battle can be reached at allen@thenextlevel-llc.com.

Northeast Youth Center: Class of 2009 Scan Team Project

Dr. Judy Benson, Director of Internal Medicine Residency, Class of 2009

The Human Needs scan team of Leadership Spokane 2009 began looking for the "perfect" project in October. The topic is enormous, and we stumbled initially wondering if we should tackle homelessness, single parenting, addiction, etc. From the very start, the group knew that somehow we wanted to make a difference, preferably something permanent, not just fleeting.

One of the team members knew of an organization, the Northeast Youth Center, run by a dynamic woman, Kimbre Vega, with a heart the size of a state. She gave us a tour and we were hooked--we knew this was the right project for us.

NEYC serves about 300 elementary school age children daily, with before and after school programs. NEYC services 12 elementary schools in some of the poorest areas in Washington State. Several neighborhood schools have 88% of their kids qualify for free lunch. Many of these kids are hungry. Their family does not have enough money to provide 3 nutritious meals daily. So, NEYC began to feed children with the help of Second Harvest foodbank. When the kids arrive in the morning, they are given a nutritious breakfast which includes fresh fruit. After school, they have a snack and then often another significant snack which for many of them will constitute their dinner meal. On Fridays, backpacks are stuffed with food to help them get through the long, hungry weekend. Often, this food is shared with entire families.

When we went to visit, Kimbre was writing a grant for an industrial freezer. She wanted to be able to purchase food on sale and then freeze it so that their money would be stretched as far as possible. The grant fell through, so purchasing and stocking a freezer became the perfect project for the Human Needs team.

The team began researching freezer costs, etc. and ultimately purchased a used, huge three-door industrial freezer. Spokane Restaurant Supply donated $500.00 off the price. Calls to Energized Electric brought a gracious donation of an electrician's expertise to wire the outlet needed for the freezer. The team began a pledge drive asking family, friends, LS alums, etc. to help this great cause. Our class is fortunate to have Mike Gonzales, KXLY anchor, as a classmate, and he graciously discussed the project with colleagues. A "mini" Extreme Team morning was devoted to NEYC, they installed the freezer and gave the kids a special French toast breakfast that morning! Yokes helped to fill the freezer. Community members contributed $1800 of in-kind donations and more than $3700 in cash contributions!

Finally, Pia Hallenberg-Christianson (Class of 2006) from The Spokesman-Review, wrote an article about the project. Because of that publicity, NEYC has received a $3,000.00 donation from the Roy and Leona Nelson Foundation.

The team presented the project April 3rd and were thrilled with our class response (and their generosity--more than $640 dollars raised). The Leadership Spokane Alumni Association has voted to make NEYC a recipient of Leadership Spokane time and talent. As a beloved member of our team is fond of saying,"You can't boil the ocean." But with a bit of luck and a lot of determination you can make a difference.

Judy can be reached at bensonj@intmedspokane.org.

Visitors to the Northeast Youth Center enjoy
popsicles from the recently-purchased freezer.

Model United Nations: Uniting Our Students of the World

Katie Moore, Gonzaga University, Events Intern

From April 5 - 10, over 5,700 students from around the world gathered in New York City to participate in the 2009 National Model United Nations, a simulation of the actual United Nations process. Participating universities spent at least six months in preparation. Among them were the London School of Economics (representing Senegal), Quito University in Ecuador (representing United States of America), and Gonzaga University (representing Denmark).

I represented Denmark inside the UNAIDS Committee. Our purpose for that week was to write a report addressing the issue of caring for children impacted by HIV/AIDS. It was quite nerve wracking to present Denmark's methods for addressing the problem to my fellow delegates!

My first speech was one of the many I was able to make during the course of the conference. Not only were speeches delivered continuously in session, but students practiced their diplomatic skills in caucusing. My involvement with Model UN made me a part of something much greater. I, among the thousands of students who participated in Model UN, was able to share my passion to influence the world. Walking away from this experience, I am confident that our generation will make a difference.

Katie (far right) with her Model UN team

Class notes

Career Moves

Jason Alvarado (2006) is running for Cheney City Council. Tony Beier (2005) now works for FLSmidth Rahco, Spokane. Meaghan Greany (YLS 2003) will be graduating from Embrey Riddle Aeronautical University this May and attending Navy Flight School. Phyllis Campbell (1983) has been promoted to Chair for the Pacific Northwest Market at Washington Mutual Bank. Gay Lynn James (2008) is an administrative assistant in the College of Education at WSU Spokane. Cynthia MacGeagh (2007) is vice president and commercial banking officer at Banner Bank. Don Spencer (1986) leads the Employee Development & Training Team for the City of Spokane. Amber Waldref (2008) is running for Spokane City Council.

Servant Leaders

Meilane Atacador (YLS 2008), Ferris High School, serves on the Board for the Chase Youth Commission. Jeff Aultman (2008), Paine Hamblen, serves on the World Affairs Council board. Adriane Borgias (1999), Fusion Environment & Energy, holds the environmental position on the Spokane Clean Air Advisory Council. Gordon Budke (1983), Budke Consulting PLLC, is on the board for Banner Bank. Betsy Cowles (1993), Cowles Company, Mike Senske (2000), Pearson Packaging, and Chud Wendle (1994), Associate Brokers Inc., serve on the Gonzaga Family Business Steering Committee. Sally Duffy (1995), retired, serves as an associate of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. Mike Patrick (2005), BDO Seidman LLP, serves on the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery Board of Directors. Rhosetta Rhodes (2003), Whitworth University, is on the Board for the Chase Youth Commission. Todd Rothrock (1996), The Rothrock Company, is the Board President for L'Arche Spokane. L'Arche Spokane is also seeking board members. View details under "Leadership Opportunities." Dave Werme (2008), moloney + o'neill, is serving on the development committee for SNAP. Bryce Wilkinson (2007), US Bank, is the Board President for Chase Youth Foundation. Alison Zecha (2006), CoachAZ, is President-Elect of NAWBO.

Awards, Etc.

Sherry Barrett (2009), Communities in Schools, was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year by Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest for her mentoring work with the Mentoring Children of Promise program. Sharon Cowan (2009), Community Colleges of Spokane, won the category of Outstanding Community Volunteer at the Women's Leadership Conference of the Inland Northwest (photo below). Quisenberry Marketing & Design, employer of Patty Kilcup (1989), received a local Gold Addy Award. Kitara McClure (2008), PONY TAILS Youth Service, received the Asset Builder Award from the Chase Youth Foundation. Nikolas Westfield (YLS 2007), Gonzaga Prep High School, received a Chase Youth Teen Award.

Sharon Cowan, Class of 2009

Send updates to lfinney@leadershipspokane.org

Opportunities for Education, Volunteering, and Having Fun

Educational Resources

Communities in Schools presents "Strengthening Families for Parents, Caregivers, and Youth 10 - 14" from 5:30 - 8:30 PM at Sunset Elementary on 21 & 28 May. Dinner and free childcare included. No cost. Contact Communities in Schools at 443.4108 to register.
College Bound Scholarship is accepting applications until 30 June. View details here.
"Deciding to be a Change Agent" Lunch & Learn Series on 27 May sponsored by Sports Leadership Ministries. Noon - 1:00 PM at Kress Gallery (3rd Floor, River Park Square, 808 W. Main Ave.) Contact Tracy Ellis-Ward (2009) at tellisward@nbccamps.com.
Greater Spokane, Inc. has started a community message board. View conversations and register for a free account at www.greaterspokaneinc.org/messageboard.
Gonzaga University Continuing Education Summer 2009 Reading Skills Programs for Children and Adults are now available. For information, to enroll online, or to see details about age groups, visit www.gonzaga.edu/ce.
Leadership Spokane Graduation & Community Leadership Day will be begin with a Volunteer Fair at 2:30 PM. To register your organization for the volunteer fair, click here or contact Meredith at lsintern@leadershipspokane.org. Booth space is $55 per organization.
Sustainable September Spokane, a project of Community Minded Enterprises and its partners, features a month of events that will move the community closer to sustainable living. Sponsors and donations are needed. Visit www.sustainableseptemberspokane.ning.com.
"Unprecedented Challenges. Resilient Leadership" is the focus of a seminar that will help business owners, business leaders and managers learn the tools and skills needed to thrive in a time of uncertainty in the workplace and to help deal with anxiety, financial stress and low morale issues. Learn about leadership in the face of challenge from community leaders and business owners whose organizations have weathered past storms of depression, recession and economic downturn. This half day seminar will be held Thursday, June 4 from 7:00 AM to noon at the Teleconference Center at Foley Center, Gonzaga University, 502 E Boone. Cost of the seminar is $50. For more information, contact Val Fields at Associated Industries, 509.326.6885. Seminar is sponsored by ACRAnet, Associated Industries, Gonzaga University and Greater Spokane Incorporated.
Washington Teen Summer Camps at Gonzaga University July 12 to 18. Includes programs on business and health care. A program of Washington Business Week. Visit www.wbw.org.

Leadership Opportunities

Bowl for Kids' Sake Bowling Fundraiser benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters.Form a bowling team and ask for donations from your friends, family, co-workers and business associates. Register here or view the press release here. Sponsorships are needed. Contact Tracy at 208.651.0514 or tmeyers@northwestbigs.org.
Greater Spokane, Inc. is hosting a photo contest for its member businesses, member employees and students. All ages, professionals and amateurs alike, are asked to submit photo entries that represent the entire region. View details here.
L'Arche Spokane, a non-profit providing housing for differently-abled people, seeks board members. Contact Todd Rothrock (1996) at 535.6100 or txrothrock@qwestoffice.net, or visit www.larcheusa.org.
Leadership Spokane Class of 2009 seeks donations to help the Northeast Youth Center buy a freezer and stock it with healthy food for the kids. The goal is $15,000. Visitwww.spokaneneyc.org or see Judy Benson's (2009) article in this issue.
MAKE-it-Art, the kids' hands-on art-making area at ArtFest, seeks volunteers. ArtFest will be held 29 - 30 May at Coeur d'Alene Park in Browne's Addition. Volunteers are needed for 3 hour shifts to help staff and facilitate art projects. Contact the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture at www.northwestmuseum.org or 456.3931.

Meet Me at the River 2009 Raft and Kayak Passport Series begins 6 June and continues through September. View event details and register at www.spokaneriver.net/meetmeattheriver.

President Vision 2015 Northwest Kentucky. A national search is underway for a charismatic executive to lead the implementation of an ambitious 10-year blueprint for regional prosperity in Northern Kentucky. Vision 2015 is transforming a 9-county region through talent, innovation and civic contribution. Contact executivesearch@kmkconsulting.com.

Events, by date

20 May: Taking a Bite Out of Hunger auction at the Spokane Arena. Proceeds benefit Second Harvest. Contact Cyndi Cook at 252.6260 or ccook@2-harvest.org.
27 May: "Achieving Healthcare for All" public forum at Spokane Community College, Lair Auditorium and Lounge at 7:00 PM. Pre-event reception in the lounge, 5:45 PM. Donations suggested. Organized by Washington Public Campaigns, www.washclean.org or 624.5908.
27 May: Communities in Schools "The Taste of Education" including food, wine, and a visit from Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers. 6:00 - 8:00 PM at 529 Sumner Ave. $150/person. RSVP to invite@cisspokane.org or 413.1436.
29 May: People First of Spokane Spaghetti Feed Fundraiser at West Minister Presbyterian Church (2705 W Boone) from 5:00 - 8:00 PM. Proceeds benefit the People First Convention in Yakima.Contact John Lemus at 998.5683 or
john.lemus@peoplefirstofspokane.org.
30 May: Make-A-Wish Foundation Spring Luncheon at Northern Quest Casino beginning at noon. Includes shopping, a fashion show, and boutique vendor tables.$100/person donation encouraged. Contact Jillian Bell at458.2618 or jillian@nwwishes.org or view the press release.
4 June: "Up on the Roof" fundraiser for Unity in the Community. Manito String Quartet, variety of refreshments from local restaurants, and silent auction. At the The Saranac Building (25 W. Main Ave.) from 6:00 - 7:00 PM.Purchase tickets from Brown Paper Tickets. Contact Katie Sullivan at 209.2858 or katies@community-minded.org.
5 June: Drive for Excellence at The Creek at Qualchan benefiting EWU College of Business and Public Administration. 12:30 PM shotgun start, with dinner and awards to follow. $25/person to golf, dinner $20/person. Contact Sharlene Bozanich at 358.2242 or sbozanich@ewu.edu.
7 June: Lutherhaven Dedication Day at Lutherhaven Camp. 9:00 AM brunch, 10:30 AM dedication. $10/adults. $5/children 12 and under. Contact 208.765.2623 ext. 10 or info@lutherhaven.com for reservations.
12 June: Leadership Spokane Graduation, "Community Leadership Day." 2:30 Reception & Volunteer Fair, 4:00 Ceremony. Mukogawa Ft. Wright Institute, in the Commons. RSVP to leadership@LeadershipSpokane.org.
19 June: Tee Off for Transitions 2009 Golf Scramble at Indian Canyon. Sponsors (sponsor form), golfers (entry form), prizes and volunteers are needed. Proceeds benefit Transitions. Contact Terri Antonson at 328.6702.
22 June - 31 July: Multicultural Summer Academy at Spokane Community College for students entering 8th, 9th, or 10th grade. View the brochure here.
10 September: Spokane Symphony Annual "Summer Soiree Wine Tasting at Beacon Hill" including 35 wines, food, and live music. $35/person. Contact Char Thompson Wyatt at 458.8733 or charwyatt@spokanesymphony.org.

Send updates to lfinney@leadershipspokane.org.

Tracy Ellis-Ward, Class of 2009, and Josh Armstrong,
Class of 2008. at the Lunch & Learn series.

Volume 6, Issue 4

In This Issue

Message from Alumni Association

Northeast Youth Center Project

Model United Nations

Class Notes

Opportunities for Education, Volunteering. & Having Fun

Help Keep Leadership Spokane Perking

Leadership Thought

About LS