Smiths Falls was the beneficiary of a fantastic leadership workshop, presented by members the Me to We organization, April 27th to 29th. Twenty-one youth from Smiths Falls and surrounding area attended the weekend event that was held at the recently renovated Station Theatre. Youth were unanimous in their comments that the weekend was fun, informative and challenged their previously held beliefs about themselves, others and their community. 

Workshop presenters engaged the participants by sharing their own candid personal stories and displayed interest in individual participants by spending time listening to them and encouraging their contributions to discussions. it was exciting to see the group interact with one another, share their own personal stories and opinions and feel comfortable doing so with people they may or may not have known previously. The opportunity to share their thoughts and practice public speaking skills on Sunday afternoon was particularly meangingful. Youth that had previously not had a lot of experience with public speaking did an outstanding job sharing their inner thoughts and convictions and demonstrated the skills that they had learned on the weekend. 

It was a life-changing experience for many of the young people who attended and we look forward to watching them use these newly found skills to make a difference in our community. 

Guest Blogger - Jamie Schoular, Community Ambassador/ Personal Trainer, Town of Smiths Falls

Step Up to Leadership is the first of three programs to be delivered in partnership with the Town of Smiths Falls under Steps to Leadership - a collaborative initiative of the Rural Ontario Institute and 4-H Ontario with funding provided in part by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada through the Agricultural Adaptation Council. The Steps to Leadership programming will also be delivered in other rural Ontario communities in 2012.  

Leadership is what drives community development.  People who engage and add value to the important discussions in our communities are the individuals who will grow local business, volunteer in the community, and provide solutions.  Rural community leaders are those who ask “what is the next step for this community?” before taking steps with informed confidence.

So, what is the next step for your community?

Steps to Leadership provides a continuum of leadership development programming that will develop the leadership skills in your community among both existing leaders and emerging ones.  Steps to Leadership will build skilled, knowledgeable individuals who will in turn build strong organizations, strong communities and strong rural economies.

A community investment will be required to bring three stages of proven leadership training programming to your region.  The entire program, including the three program components, project administration, marketing and outreach, provides approximately $40,000 in “real” value to your community, including:

• A locally-hired Project Coordinator provided to administer the three program elements
• All project content, materials and professional instructors’ fees
• Project marketing and communications to attract participation and engagement
• Media relations engagement to attract public attention to the program and its sponsor(s)

Non-measureable community benefits include:

• Prepared, skilled, engaged and informed community leaders
• Networking opportunities developed between existing leaders and emerging ones
• Community readiness / Crisis Management readiness
• Public Engagement Readiness
• More effective community organizations
• More engaged citizens
• A better participant understanding of what your community has to offer

What is this worth to your community?

Community and program partners want to see rural communities thrive.  Their support has ensured that Steps to Leadership is accessible to everyone, with low participant registration fees, and travel & tuition assistance if needed.  One additional, reasonable community investment will ensure that your region will reap productive and measurable long-term social and economic benefits.  Steps to Leadership will prepare existing and emerging leaders in your community for the ongoing challenges, opportunities and development ahead.

We are seeking community partners – but spaces are limited!

Please contact us at (519) 826-4204 or info@stepstoleadership.ca to discuss how we can bring Steps to Leadership to your community.