Grassroots Leadership A Call to Action!Leadership in Recovery RetreatOctober 7-9, 2008

What makes a leader?To lead means to make go or to guide

A leader - a person who has commanding authority or influence

What do YOU think?Name five qualitiesDr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Qualities of Leaders

Leaders: Must change and adaptAre equal partnersShare powerWork collaborativelyAccomplish community visionAddress the needs of followers

Helen KellerRosa Parks

What makes a leader?Name some leaders who come to mind..

The Challenge of LeadershipFeelings of uncertainty

Tough to make time for community issues

Other challenges?Nelson Mandela

The Challenge of LeadershipAsk yourself:Am I paying enough attention to the values, culture and tone in the organization/community where Im involved?Am I doing all I can to bring out the best in others?Am I modeling the values I believe in?What other leadership actions should I be adding?

Mother Theresa

The Challenge of LeadershipDo I share in leadership roles?Am I developing my abilityto work with others as a teamleader and member? Am I a lifelong learner?

Mohandas Gandhi

Citizen Leadership/Community LeadershipCitizen leaders work at the grassroots:Concerned about quality of life in their communityTake ownership of problems and opportunitiesHelp others to identify solutionsRealize that people must gain from AND contribute to the problem solving processBob Kafka

Community/Grassroots LeadershipHow to be empowering?No one has ALL the answersMost everyone wants to influence decisionsNeed to access informationEnlarge the power baseGive and accept power and responsibility Share knowledge and interestsShare vision and goalsDorthea Dix

Community/Grassroots LeadershipSeven steps to becoming a better citizenBe a team playerBe courteousAct constructivelyBe a good sportBe conscientiousCelebrate the success of othersBelieve in fairness

ask what you can do for your country. - JFK

Community/Grassroots LeadershipThe process of working with a group to achieve mutual goalsLeadership is the groups propertyAny individual may assume oracquire leadershipThere is a leader within us all!

Fannie Lou Hamer

Community/Grassroots LeadershipBuild advocacy skills by DOINGBuild advocacy currencyCommunity Support Program (CSP) CommitteesAdvisory BoardsBoards of DirectorsAdvocacy Actions Political ActivitiesMore!

Community/Grassroots LeadershipDeveloping a Plan Step OneTo be successful we need: 1. Community Vision - A clear vision of what we want to accomplish!Simply stated:The issue to address The ability to envision what could be betterThe vision must be shared by members of the community

Community/Grassroots LeadershipDeveloping a Plan Step Two2. Community Communication Your messageCommunicating your Community VisionHow do you convince others that your vision is important?

Community/Grassroots LeadershipDeveloping a Plan Step Three3. Community CollaborationA process of working with othersCreating community ownership by involvingthe community in identifying issues and defining solutions and strategies

Community/Grassroots LeadershipDeveloping a Plan Step Four4. Community ActionA clear, concise planHow to make the Community Vision a realityPeople working together with energy and excitement!

Community/Grassroots LeadershipDeveloping a Plan Four Steps1. Community Vision - A clear vision of what we want to accomplish!2. Community Communication - Your message that Communicates the Community Vision3. Community Collaboration - A process of working with others4. Community Action - A clear, concise plan of how to make the Community Vision a reality

Grassroots Leadership A Call to Action!Time to roll up our sleeves and get to work