I attended the re-launch of Leadership Vancouver today. After a number of successful years, it wound going into a hibernation and rebuilding. Something that was necessary. Leadership is sometimes about taking time to reflect and rebuild and that is what needed to happen.
If Feb 10, 1972 provided life perspectives to me as mentioned in a previous post, what then provided the catalyst to engage the passions (the action)? For me, I had this interest and passion to make a difference; however, I did not have any idea where to start. Enter Leadership Vancouver years ago. This was a nine month leadership development program where I got to meet like minded community engaged individuals. I suddenly was in an environment where my passions got paired up with the mechanism of doing. If you think of my passion to help as an engine of the car, Leadership Vancouver was the steering wheel that helped me to move in the right direction. I completed the program in 1997 and was a member of the Board for 3 years. I really believe in this organization.
Leadership Vancouver is made up of corporate, public and not for profit citizens who are engaged in a 9 month program to look at community issues and a process to get people rolling up their sleeves to make a difference in their community. There are two types of people who get involved in Leadership Vancouver. Those who are involved and want to expand and those who want to get involved and not sure where to begin…I was in the second category and after my graduation from Leadership Vancouver, I never looked back.
Today was the re-launch and the energy in the room was electric. I am very excited to see how things will emerge and revitalized. I want to roll up my sleeves again after seeing past participants, community leaders and interested people. It is now under the umbrella of the United Way and Royal Roads and with partnerships with Bank of Nova Scotia and the Ismaili Center…a solid base to build off of.
More information is available at – http://www.uwlm.ca/united-way-leadership-vancouver . There is a need for community engagement and leaders to step up. Take the challenge I took years ago and enter into the Leadership Vancouver program. I truly believe in this and it was wonderful to stand among a room of giants to see a movement start up again.
PS – if we are talking about leadership. Got to see Rick Antonson again today and all I can say is authentic and genuine soul. Have my book by Rick signed by Rick…thanks Rick!