We Welcome New Leaders
Last summer I was accepted into Leadership Metro Richmond, the region’s community leadership development organization. It has been my pleasure to participate in the Leadership Quest Class of 2015.
Leadership Quest connects a diverse group of 65 community leaders, increases their knowledge and perspectives on regional issues and inspires them to embrace inclusion, collaboration and leadership. This bridge to LMR membership is a 10-month program that provides participants with tools that are essential for community leadership; with opportunities to interact and dialogue with experts and decision makers who shape issues critical to our region; and prepares participants to meet the challenges of ambiguity through an immersion project experience.
Leadership Quest began with a weekend retreat in Williamsburg. Retreat topics included leadership discussions and civic engagement, the history and demographics of Greater Richmond and more.
Monthly, all-day workshops have included discussions and forums on corporate/non-profit collaborations; inter-governmental collaboration; regional cooperation; regional transportation issues; the arts in Richmond, education and the inter-section of education, housing and race; urban core renewal and regional planning.
Throughout the Leadership Quest program, new technologies for change were shared with participants by excellent trainers and consultants. On May 6, our “immersion group” will present on the topic: “Leveraging the Strength of the Philanthropic Community in the Age of the Millennial.”
Many of our JCFR leaders are aware that Richmond has a long and proud history of strong nonprofit agencies and companies that have created a wonderful culture of giving and participation in many worthy causes. JCFR ranks in the top ten of Intermediate communities in Jewish Federation campaign achievement. Our reputation for community planning and outreach methodologies is at the top of the mark. Our Israel and Overseas mission participation is one of the best in the country, as is our emphasis on young leadership development through our Network JCFR and our Community Leadership Institute and Senior Leadership Institute.
Without giving away the conclusions drawn by our Immersion Group of LMR, before May 6, there is no doubt that corporations, nonprofits, B corporations and even governmental agencies need to invest in the future by recruiting and training the next generation of leaders. We will make a presentation on how and why this should happen.
Later in May, our community will celebrate the Joint Annual Meeting of the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond and the Richmond Jewish Foundation. The Federation’s Distinguished Community Service Award will be presented to Dan Siegel and the Foundation’s Meyers award will be presented to Charles and Yvonne Gold. The Foundation also also be presenting, for the first time, the Jack Paul Fine Mitzvah Society Award to Seth Kaplan. There will be an installation of new Board members and JCFR will celebrate the graduation of another class of the latest Leadership Institute. We stand on the shoulders of the leaders who came before us and we welcome the new leaders who will take their own places in the leadership ranks. Kadima – Forward We Go!
As always, I welcome comments and feel free to email me at sasher@jewishrichmond.org.
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