12/12/05
Kettering Leadership Academy Wins National Award

Kettering, OH – 12 December 05 – The Kettering Leadership Academy is only three years old, but its list of successes reads more like an established program. The program was the brainchild of Kettering City Councilman Bruce Duke, who recognized the need to begin preparing new leaders for the community. So far, the program seems to be doing just that.

Fourteen people participated in the program in 2003-2004, sixteen participated in 2004-2005 and currently twelve people are participating in the 2005-2006 class. Qualifications for the program are only that you live or work in Kettering and have a desire to learn about leadership opportunities within the community. Graduates from the two classes have already taken on the following roles in the community:

• Two graduates serve on the City’s Board of Community Relations
• One graduate recently ran for City Council, with another graduate running his campaign
• Two graduates have been placed on the boards of local non-profits
• One graduate will be president of our local high school PTA
• One graduate is chairing a walk for a national health society
• One graduate is chairing a committee that will address “healthy youth” issues
• Two graduates will serve as committee members for a local Martin Luther King breakfast

The curriculum for the program consists of a two day experienced based learning retreat focusing on trust building and leadership skills and full day sessions on the following topics: government, schools, non-profits, service organizations, public safety and local businesses. Each month a guest speaker with leadership experience conducts a management exercise.

Not only are graduates flocking to leadership roles in the community, but the National Association of Volunteer Programs in Local Government recently recognized the program at their annual conference with the Innovative Program Award. The award was created to honor the outstanding achievements of a local government program in the creation and implementation of a program/service which utilizes volunteers to creatively serve both the local government and community. Volunteer coordinator, Bonnie Pittl, accepted the award at the November conference.

The Kettering Leadership Academy is one facet of a comprehensive volunteer program that incorporates the dedicated service of more than 1200 volunteers. For more information about the Kettering Leadership Academy, or the City’s Active Volunteer Program, call Bonnie Pittl at 296-2433.

For more information contact: Amy Berlean
Phone: (937) 296-2415