Verde Valley Leadership to start new class - The Verde Independent - Cottonwood, Arizona

Verde Valley Leadership to start new class - The Verde Independent - Cottonwood, Arizona

/13/2010 2:29:00 PM
Verde Valley Leadership to start new class
Program builds skills, offers growth opportunities

Verde Valley Leadership Class IV participated May 7 in a Challenge Course at Northern Arizona University.

By Philip Wright
Staff Reporter

CLARKDALE - Verde Valley Leadership is now recruiting new class members for its fifth course beginning in September. The two-year commitment builds leadership skills and offers training in community issues while helping members network.

"We're accepting applications until June 1st," said Janet Perry, VVL president.

She said the organization targets class members from the public and private sectors, as well as people new to the area. Learning about the area is one benefit of the leadership course, Perry said.

"It inspires people to be more involved," she said.

Perry explained that the leadership course is a two-year commitment. "The two years are separated very distinctly," she said.

The course begins in September with an intensive two-day, overnight retreat. During the first year there are exercises laid out as requirements, including eight issue days, one each month. Each class member will either attend or host the issue days.

The second year, according to Perry, is a "year of giving back." The class members become involved in running the organization and mentoring members of a new, incoming class.

Something new that began with class number three is a Legacy Project. Perry said each class will decide, "How do we crystallize that second year's experience?" Class three decided to build a gazebo for the Cottonwood Boys & Girls Club. That project should be complete within the next two to three weeks.

The organization keeps the class size to between 12 and 14 members. "Twelve is targeted as a real successful number," Perry said.

The course costs $450 per member. "We do have some scholarships," Perry said. "We have a limited number of partial scholarships."

Applications are available on the Verde Valley Leadership website at www.vvleadership.org.

For information, contact Janet Perry at janet.perry@clarkdale.az.gov or President-elect Matt Morris at vvlplanning@live.com.

Verde Valley Leadership Class IV Government & Politics Issue Day

NEWS RELEASE

Verde Valley Leadership, PO Box 1015, Cornville, AZ 86325

For Immediate Release

For more information, contact Susan Carroll at 634-6514.


Verde Valley Leadership Class IV Government & Politics Issue Day


COTTONWOOD, AZ (April 16, 2010) – Members of Class IV of the Verde Valley Leadership (VVL) program participated in an Issue Day on Government & Politics which included local, state, and regional topics of interest.

The morning began with Corliss Rivera from Northern AZ Council of Governments who summarized the various departments of NACOG and presented an overview of her department, Workforce Development and how it serves the residents of the Verde Valley.

Following NACOG, we heard a presentation from Ann Yates from the Department of Economic Security who advised the group of the history of food stamps and its new name of Nutrition Assistance.

The morning closed with a presentation from the mayor of Cottonwood, Diane Joens. Her presentation included the various roles and misconceptions the general public has regarding the role of mayor, council member and city manager.

Following lunch, students viewed a presentation by Deputy Garrison Commander of Camp Navajo, LTC Pete Tosi (Ret). His presentation included the purpose of Camp Navajo located in Bellemont just east of Flagstaff, its history, current mission and goal.

The day closed with a presentation by Robyn Prud’homme-Bauer regarding the history and current mission of the League of Women Voters. Her presentation included a lively discussion of consensus and consensus building.

VVL provides growth opportunities, leadership skills and community issues training, while cultivating diverse, influential networks. For more information, please visit our website at www.vvleadership.org or contact us at info@vvleadership.org.

###