Leadership La Plata: worth every minute, every penny

DURANGO, Colo. – Among the seeming plethora of “leadership” books and seminars on the market, it may appear to the uninformed that Leadership La Plata is just another “one of those.”
Indeed, leadership skills training and information can be obtained most anywhere. But no place is that training intertwined with a comprehensive educational program about La Plata County. Those who apply and are accepted to the program must reside in the county, so it truly becomes tantamount to a crash course in all aspects of the “hometown” – an understanding of the region most are likely to never have opportunity to enjoy in any other venue.

“You really don’t understand what’s going on (in the county) until you meet the people who have to deal with these issues everyday,” said Lisa Mastney, a self-described “telecommuter” who found LLP a way to get involved with the community even though her job is in Washington DC. “One of the things that I realized by being part of this group is that you may have your own little issue area, but the people who are out there making the decisions have a lot of things they have to grapple with. It was a real eye-opener to get a sense of the big picture.”
“You go into Leadership La Plata and you think you know things. Then by the time you graduate, you realize you know nothing,” said Tara Kiene, a program director with Community Connections. “Everything is far more complicated than you ever could have imagined. There are so many sides to every issue.”
Both Mastney and Kiene are members of the 2007-2008 Class of LLP, which recently graduated, and the organization is accepting applications for the 2008-2009 until June 9. Each year’s session varies from year to year, as the graduates from the previous class facilitate the sessions for the new class. Thus, the exact curriculum is fluid, creatively developed based on issues of current importance in the community, though the general subject topics of the eight day-long sessions (held the second Friday, October through May) remain Government, Regional Issues, Business, Education, Arts & Regional Culture, Public Safety & Criminal Justice, Environment and Health & Human Services.
 
“I don’t think you realize while you’re going through the program how much you’ve learned and how many people you’ve met,” said former County Commissioner Sheryl Ayers, class of 1995-96, and current LLP Selection Chair. “I’ve lived in La Plata County almost my whole life, and I still learned a lot about the county… We are so diverse.”
 

“The biggest eye-opener taking part in LLP is all the synergy there is among all these different areas of our community and how everything works together,” said recent graduate John Trousdale, a videographer with Animas Productions. “This program has been phenomenal for me on a number of levels – personally and professionally. It’s one of the best things I’ve done for myself, and I’m lucky to live in a community where this is offered.”

LLP’s roots date back to 1980 when current head of the Colorado State Transportation Commission and former Bank of Colorado President B. Stephens (Steve) Parker, who’d enjoyed his experience in Leadership Denver, moved to town and suggested the idea to then chamber of commerce executive Jasper Welch. It took until 1988 when the Durango Area Chamber Resort Association (DACRA) was organized for LLP to be formally implemented.
Parker, Welch and local radio executive Harold Green assembled the first Steering Committee comprised of individuals representing a cross-section of the county. The founding fathers (and mothers) wanted to ensure LLP was “community-based” and not an elite “club,” and that directive continues today.
 
Said Parker, “We realized that La Plata County could benefit from such a program. I believe that it has been an unqualified success as many of its graduates have been candidates for political office, as well as run successful businesses and played a productive role in the positive evolution of La Plata County. I am proud to have played a role in its beginning.”
LLP is today a program of the Durango Chamber of Commerce and enjoys more than 300 graduates, which span all sectors and ages – because leadership is needed in every aspect of a community. Some have gone on to politics, but just as many others have employed the lessons learned in LLP with their children’s sports organizations, in their businesses or in non-profit work.
 

“You’ll build a network,” said Kip Koso, 2002-2003 graduate and director of the SunUte Community Center. “There’s not one person who’s gone through the program who has not at least doubled the network of people they can call on.”

“You get access to all these movers and shakers in our community because they’re your panelists or your moderators,” added Trousdale. “You can have serious discussions with people you might not have had access to otherwise.”
Management of Leadership La Plata is handled on a completely volunteer basis and the program funded by participants and generous local sponsors. Most of those who continue their involvement on the various committees do so because of the over-arching positive impact the program makes on the community.
“It’s important to understand that we’re going to ask you to push the envelope,” said Koso. “If you’re looking for something to knock out and put on your resume, this isn’t for you. You get educated in areas that aren’t your usual bailiwick.”
Beginning in September of each year, the 16-18 member class commits to a weekend retreat, which in addition to some educational components and diversity training, serves primarily to bond the class and create a “safe harbor” for future discussions on possibly sensitive subjects.
 
“We’re all strong people, but we have tremendous respect for each other,” said recent graduate Preston Parrott, a metal sculptor and project manager with Lore. “We can have real conversations with each other and it doesn’t become adversarial.”
“I thought the retreat weekend was the most exciting vacation I’ve had in a long time,” said recent graduate J.T. Coyne, retired military but now director of the Heart Safe program. “It was a highlight right away. It’s amazing how quickly 16 virtual strangers can become friends.”
The 2008 LLP retreat, which is mandatory, is set for Sept. 19-21, and will be held at Durango Mountain Resort.
“Usually the retreat is the second weekend in September, to coincide with the regular classes held on the second Fridays of the month,” said Beth Christie, LLP curriculum chair with oversight of the training sessions. “But we moved it to the third weekend this year to accommodate Phil. We can’t imagine a retreat without Phil.”
“Phil” is Phil Bryson, known more readily around Durango as the owner of Brainstorm Internet and developer of Crossroads Durango, but his original entrepreneurial business is On the Edge Productions, a leadership skills and team building organization. He instructs throughout the world, but given his passion for improving La Plata County, he makes time for LLP. He has a qualifier, however.
“I want you to go out and make a difference in this community,” said Bryson during the recent “visioning” session he facilitated for the graduating class. “That’s what this is all about for me.”
Tuition for the program is $450, with partial scholarships funded by the LLP alumni available. New this year are also two incentive positions for individuals from outside of the core Durango area (i.e. Bayfield, Ignacio, Breen), discounted to $200 to account for gas and extra time.
“But I got way beyond my money’s worth in this organization,” said recent graduate Loryn Kasten, public relations director at DMR. “I’ve learned way more than I ever expected to learn. It’s just invaluable.”
 

Class sessions are specifically designed to take those involved to different areas of the county – from exploring a gas well in the HD Mountains or climbing on top of the Smiley Building to learn about solar power, to touring Steamworks’ Bayfield brewery, the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory or StoneAge to understand how businesses survive in this region, and more. Plus each session includes a leadership skills training component, such as negotiation, presentation skills or media relations, that is coordinated with the theme of the day and a current community issue.

Class members are selected each year on the basis of their current, past and potential future community involvements, as well as their intention to remain in La Plata County. Commitment and attitude are primary criteria, and every effort is made to build a diverse and intellectually stimulating class that will enhance all members’ participation.
 
“We all get really wrapped up in our own little worlds. LLP has done a good job in making sure they pick a diverse sampling of the community,” said Bobby Lieb, 2002-2003 graduate and director of the new Airport Industrial Park. “That is really important to opening people’s eyes to the value of other people’s work.”
Applications for the 2008-2009 class are available on the web, www.leadershiplaplata.org, as well as at the Durango Chamber of Commerce in Santa Rita Park, the Crossroads Durango lobby in Downtown Durango, and the SunUte Community Center in Ignacio. Further program information is also on the web or by calling, 970.247.0312.
“This has been one of the most awesome things that has ever happened to me,” said recent graduate Carrie Woodson, a 30-year resident of La Plata County and chief appraiser with the county. “Can we go again?”