SCOPE Community Studies: Grassroots Leadership Initiative

The Grassroots Leadership Initiative (GLI) is a leadership development program to nurture and support promising individuals in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, who have a passion for our community and who are not involved in other leadership programs. What makes this different from other leadership programs are the participants themselves. They may be operating at the neighborhood level, or in their place of worship, or be under-represented in the current leadership equation. In any case, the capacity and passion are present but without the GLI programs it may never be realized. Furthermore, by broadening the community discourse the entire community can increase its chances to realize economic and creative potential.

To be a community where new voices have an opportunity to be heard.

To create a new pool of leaders who will make positive change in the community, in neighborhoods, schools, boards, community affairs
To help people from all sectors of life in Sarasota and Manatee Counties develop leadership skills and networking connections to add their voices to the leadership equation
To help individuals and the entire community realize their economic and creative potential by broadening the community discourse
Increase the level of involvement in the community by program graduates

A leadership class of 15 to 20 participants from Sarasota and Manatee Counties will join the program for approximately 12 months beginning early 2006.
Each GLI fellow commits to participate in monthly workshops to develop leadership skills to be more effective in our community. The workshops will address practical issues such as our community and local government, organizational management, strategic planning and communication. There will also be monthly networking sessions and regular opportunities to build a relationship with an established local leader who will be a mentor.

GLI is offered at no cost to the fellow, thanks to the generous investment of local organizations, businesses and individuals in our community.

The United Way of Sarasota County began a leadership development program in 2002 to enrich professionals to serve on local boards and committees.
Subsequently, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune was inspired by very successful and similar projects in Gainesville and Lakeland called Focus on Leadership, which are specifically oriented to African-American community leadership.
In 2003, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the United Way came together along with USF and SCOPE to create a leadership program to provide skills and opportunities to contribute to the civic dialogue in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

Grassroots Leadership Initiative is a partnership of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, United Way, USF, SCOPE and others to broaden the spectrum of leaders involved at the decision-making table in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

For more information, please contact the Project Coordinator, Stacey Laidlaw at (941) 365-8751 or slaidlaw@scopexcel.org.

Also, visit the Grassroots Leadership Initiative's website at: www.glisuncoast.org

A Grassroots Leadership Initiative Fellow is an individual who demonstrates a passionate commitment to their community, by devoting their time and talents to their personal development for the betterment of their community. A person in our community who desires to provide leadership around important community issues but lack access to appropriate programs to develop their leadership skills or encourage their growth and success. A Fellow must be at least 18 years old and out of high school.

The GLI Mentor is a primary coach, guide and trusted friend for the development and growth of the GLI Fellow. Mentors provide the bridging link between the GLI Fellow, workshops, and the resources needed for the progress of essential leadership skills to become an effective grassroots leader and spokesperson for their community. The mentor will attend an orientation and be matched based on availability, area of interest and expertise.

Our Community & Leadership
Local government systems
Communication skills
Relationship building & Diplomacy
Citizenship
Vision & mission
Public Speaking
Team building & Motivation
Meetings Facilitation & Conflict resolution
Data collection, measurement & analysis
Strategic planning
Budgeting & Fundraising
Media & Informing the public

For more information, please contact the Project Coordinator, Stacey Laidlaw at (941) 365-8751 or slaidlaw@scopexcel.org.

The Grassroots Leadership Initiative's website is now available at:

www.glisuncoast.org

Click to download the GLI Brochure.

Maureen Avila
Avila Family Law

Jim Delgado, Atty.
Kallins, Little, Delgado & Opstal

Tim Dutton
SCOPE

Peter French
University of South Florida

Willie Holley
Holley Marketing & Management Services

Wendy Katz
Sarasota County Public Schools

Diane McFarlin
Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Elliott Metcalfe
Public Defender for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit of Florida

Stewart Stearns
Community Foundation of Sarasota County

Tom Tryon
Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Alex Young
United Way of Sarasota County