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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
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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.
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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
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