vanguard newsletter, winter 2007 ~ leadership institute for ecology and the economy

8/9/2019 Vanguard Newsletter, Winter 2007 ~ Leadership Institute for Ecology and the Economy

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Leadership Institute Fellows are

putting their talents and time into

serving their communities in many

ways, some of them “on the front

lines” in elected or appointedoffices, just as Institute founders hoped.

We spoke to four elected officials about

how the nine-month Institute experience

affects their decisions and their commit-

ment to public service.

Susan Gorin, Class of 2002

Santa Rosa City Council

I enrolled in the Leadership Institute

class in 2001 as a way to broaden my

thinking about public policy issues. The

Institute helped me to think about public

policy in different ways—to connectissues together in a more holistic

approach and to learn more progressive

and satisfying ways to solve policy chal-

lenges such as affordable housing,

transportation and community develop-

ment. The classes also introduced me to

experts and sources of information in a

variety of fields. The classes offer great

opportunities to meet people in our

community who are intent on working

together to find common solutions.

Jim Wood, Class of 2005

Healdsburg City Council

The information in the classes gave me

a broad perspective on issues. We were

given access to tremendous resources

and mind-opening experiences. I found

that even though I am probably a little

more conservative than a lot of people

in the program, we all shared a passion

for wanting to make the world a better

place. There are many people I met

through the Institute that I keep in

contact with today, not just fellow grad-

uates. Anyone who serves on a board or

commission would benefit greatly from

the program. My experience with the

Institute has made me a better elected

official, and it definitely influenced my

decision to run for public office.

Robin Goble, Class of 2005

Windsor Town Council

I recommend the Institute as an impor-

tant experience for those in elected and

appointed positions. It also helps to

broaden perspectives for interest

groups and coalitions. Many in my class

were elected to office in the same year,

continued on page 2

anguard

CALENDAR OF EVENTS3rd Tuesday of each monthNOON–1:00PM

555 5TH STREET, SUITE 300A,

SANTA ROSA

Fellows Networking Lunch

A monthly forum for

Fellows and friends

of the Institute to explore

various topics related to

sustainable public policy.MORE INFO: 707-578-9133

Monday, January 77:00PM

MERLO THEATER, WELLS FARGO

CENTER, FREE ADMISSION

“Global Warming: Do We

Know Enough to Manage

the Risks?” Dr. Steven

Schneider, member of UN

Intergovernmental Panel

on Climate Change. The

Leadership Institute is a

co-sponsor of this event.

Saturday, January 1910:00AM–3:00PM

Tour of Calpine’s Geysers

Project. An in-depth look

at the geothermal energy

project.

RSVP & INFO: 707-578-9133

Monday, February 11

Leadership Training for a

Sustainable Future

Application process begins

for Class of 2009.

MORE INFO: 707-578-9133

GRADS PUTTING LEARNING INTO ACTIONLeadership Institute Fellows in elected office stress sustainability in public policy

WINTER 2007/2008

L

Susan Gorin, Class of 2002 Jim Wood, Class of 2005 Robin Goble, Class of 2005 Veronica Jacobi, Class of 200



VOLUNTEEROPPORTUNITIES

Workshops

Have an idea for a work-

shop or event of interest

to Institute Fellows and

supporters? Contact us

with ideas and get

involved to help us deliver

more great programs in

2008. Time commitment

will vary.

Website Redesign

Help the Institute redesign

its web site to be more

user-friendly and content

rich. A team is forming to

review the current website and define how we

want to evolve. Web

development expertise is

helpful but not required

for the first phase. Time

commitment: 6 to 10

hours during January and

February.

Fellows Web Forum

Calendar

Update the Fellows Web

Forum Calendar withupcoming events and

other items of interest to

Fellows. Time commit-

ment: 2 to 4 hours a

month.

Call the Institute at

707-578-9133 to learn

how to volunteer.

LEARNING INTO ACTION cont. from page 1

so I had a bit of a network. It also

broadened my scope in a global

perspective on many issues. I under-stand the ramifications of different

policies on a broader level. The Windsor

Town Council now includes sustainability

criteria in issues we address. The experi-

ence convinced that the time was right

for me to step forward.

Veronica Jacobi, Class of 2005

Santa Rosa City Council

The Institute gave me a broad overview

of many important issues, and there

were a lot of details as well. It helped

me realize the possibilities for change.

You really can make changes in how acity governs. I highly recommend the

Institute for everyone, not just people

running for office. It was a wonderful

investment of time and I was really sad

when it was over. The courses focused

on the most important issues of our

time, and also presented useful issues

and information. The networking was

wonderful. I was already planning a run

for the Council, and the Institute helped

me continue.

The Leadership Institute is committed

to continuing education and networking

for its Fellows, and this year, Program

Coordinator Suzi O’Rear has worked

with board members, other staffers and

volunteers to significantly increase

opportunities for engagement.

Genevieve Taylor, a member of the Class

of 2008, says the networking enhances

her class experience. “What I think is

exciting is seeing what other leaders

in the community are doing with

important issues. It inspires me, and it

confirms that we’re on the right path.”

The First Annual Fall Fellows Gathering

was held in October, at Sonoma

Mountain Village. More than 60 Fellows

and current class members attended,

heard a captivating presentation about

sustainability, and enjoyed great foodand wine.

The Fellows Monthly Lunch began in

September, with monthly discussion

topics and lively conversation. Lunches

are open to guests as well.

The Fellows Web Forum launched in

November, as a convenient and easy-to-

use online tool for communication about

all sorts of issues relating to sustainability

Through the Web Forum, Fellows can

check in with class members, discuss

common issues and interests, and stay

connected to the work of the Institute.

Tina Montgomery, Class of 2007, says

the networking events “are a way to talk

to people who are working on the same

types of things I am, but also to talk to

people who are working on different

issues. It gives me a broader perspective.”

FELLOWS NETWORK ACTIVE AND ENGAGED

Fellows have served as Planning Commissioners

in recent years.

Fellows are serving on public boards and committees.

Fellows are serving on county boards and commissions.

Fellows are public officials in Ukiah

(Planning Commissioner and Mayor).

1523112

64

6

10 B Y T H E N U M B E R S Institute Fellows (more than a quarter of all graduates!)

are holding or have recently held public office.

From State Assembly to rural school boards,

Fellows are working to improve our communities.

Sonoma County cities have Fellows sitting on City

Councils, Planning Commissions, or both.

Fellows are currently serving as City Councilmembers in

Sonoma County.

Rick Theis

(Leadership

Institute

Founder) and

Debra Newby

(Class of 2007)

take advantage

of networkingopportunities

at a Leadership

Institute event.



How walkable is your neighborhood?

To find out, go to www.walkscore.com

and enter your address. Institute

Executive Director Tanya Narath learned

recently that her home in west Santa

Rosa scores only 48 points out of

100—not that walkable. Compare itwith the Institute office in downtown

Santa Rosa, which scored 95 points—

a walker’s paradise!

Once you know how your home

or office rates, consider how you

can improve the walkability of your

immediate surroundings:

• Support Sonoma County’s Safe

Routes to School program, which

inspires a new generation to

discover the joys of walking andbicycling. Speakers at our recent

Healthy by Design Symposium

reminded us that a neighborhood

that’s safe and healthy for kids is

a great place for everyone to live.

• Champion higher density develop-

ment in your neighborhood, with

an emphasis on mixed use and

housing affordable to a wide range

of incomes.

• Walk or bike regardless of your

neighborhood score and start

making a list of changes neededto create a walker’s paradise close

to home.

For more ideas and resources, check

out www.walkable.org.

SUSTAINABILITY MINUTETake a minute and learn how to create a sustainable future

555 5TH STREET, SUITE 300A,

SANTA ROSA, CA

WWW.ECOLOEADER.ORG

WORD POWER

RESOLUTION

Originally understood as

“a sense of solving” (theLatin resolvere) Resolution

can also be described as

“the state of resoluteness

and determination.”

The word Resolution has

a special meaning at the

turn of the calendar.

It encourages us to make

promises to ourselves

to act in certain ways.

What resolutions will

you make for next year?

Will Sustainability be onyour list?

PRINTED WITH SOY INKSON RECYCLED PAPER

‘‘Start making

a list of changes

needed to create

a walker’s paradiseclose to home.”

UNIONLOGO

vanguard newsletter, winter 2007 ~ leadership institute for ecology and the economy

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