NEW GLARUS - Twenty-four members of the Green County Leaders 2007-2008 class were recognized for their achievements at a special graduation banquet May 21 at the New Glarus Hotel, New Glarus.
Members of the class included: Sara Anderson, Erik Backhaus, Angie Meyer and Lisa Grochola, The Swiss Colony; Larry Brown, School District of Monroe; Frank Davis and Marcey Sink, Monroe Clinic; Tammy Derrickson, Monroe Senior Center; Scott Gelbach, Alliant Energy; Jeanne Hermanson, Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Ellen Hossman, das Baumhaus and the Literacy Council of Green County; Marge Klinzing, Monroe Parks and Recreation Department; Nikki Matley, RR Donnelley; Kent McConnell, Green County Broadcasting; Judy Meier, Kittelsen Law Firm; Tonya Mulrooney, Green County Land Conservation; Christina Symons, Amcore Bank; John Waelti, candidate for 80th Assembly; Susan Wetherington, Green County Development Corporation, all of Monroe; Lisa Bell-Righter, Small World Childcare Center; Nic Owen, Village of New Glarus, New Glarus; Shelly Kuhl, Bank of Brodhead; Sherri Salzwedel, Woodbridge Corporation, Brodhead; and Ron Tuttle, Metavante Corporation, Madison. The class members reside in the communities of Monroe, New Glarus, Monticello, Albany, Brodhead, Browntown and Evansville.
James Schneider of Blue Chip Training and Marketing was the graduation keynote speaker. Schneider's enthusiastic speech motivated graduates "to reach out and meet your neighbor."
"We need to rediscover what community means," Schneider said. "In doing that, we also need to not get rid of the rules - that creates anarchy - but rewrite them to fit the needs of our communities." Schneider likened this to changing the rules of "Musical Chairs" so that everyone has a seat even when there are not enough or any chairs. "Excellence is not achieved by doing exceptional things, but by doing small things exceptionally well," he said.
In addition to coursework over the last nine months that covered a broad spectrum of issues - including leadership building, local and national politics and structures, conservation, lifelong learning, economics, justice, safety and wellness - the graduates were also challenged to present projects that would address a local need and propose a solution.
Four projects were completed. This year's class members chose to study what Green County has and what it takes for economic development; increase giving commitments to four organizations that help Green County residents - Green Haven, Green County Food Pantry, CareNet of Green County's Family Resource Center and the Green County Humane Society; survey public opinion on the Green County Humane Society for its board of directors; and create a relocation guide of services for the county and communities in the county.
Green County Leaders is made possible through a partnership of the Green County Development Corporation, Green County UW-Extension, the Monroe Campus of Blackhawk Technical College, and other area organizations and businesses that donate their time by serving on program committees and as session speakers. The program's mission is to provide an educational program where individuals can practice leadership skills, deepen their understanding of community issues and prepare for leadership roles, thereby creating a network of individuals committed to the future of Green County.
Recruitment for the class of 2008-2009 is starting. Brochures on the program are available at the GCDC office or the Green County UW-Extension office, both located in the Government Services Building at the Pleasant View Complex in Monroe.
Members of the class included: Sara Anderson, Erik Backhaus, Angie Meyer and Lisa Grochola, The Swiss Colony; Larry Brown, School District of Monroe; Frank Davis and Marcey Sink, Monroe Clinic; Tammy Derrickson, Monroe Senior Center; Scott Gelbach, Alliant Energy; Jeanne Hermanson, Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Ellen Hossman, das Baumhaus and the Literacy Council of Green County; Marge Klinzing, Monroe Parks and Recreation Department; Nikki Matley, RR Donnelley; Kent McConnell, Green County Broadcasting; Judy Meier, Kittelsen Law Firm; Tonya Mulrooney, Green County Land Conservation; Christina Symons, Amcore Bank; John Waelti, candidate for 80th Assembly; Susan Wetherington, Green County Development Corporation, all of Monroe; Lisa Bell-Righter, Small World Childcare Center; Nic Owen, Village of New Glarus, New Glarus; Shelly Kuhl, Bank of Brodhead; Sherri Salzwedel, Woodbridge Corporation, Brodhead; and Ron Tuttle, Metavante Corporation, Madison. The class members reside in the communities of Monroe, New Glarus, Monticello, Albany, Brodhead, Browntown and Evansville.
James Schneider of Blue Chip Training and Marketing was the graduation keynote speaker. Schneider's enthusiastic speech motivated graduates "to reach out and meet your neighbor."
"We need to rediscover what community means," Schneider said. "In doing that, we also need to not get rid of the rules - that creates anarchy - but rewrite them to fit the needs of our communities." Schneider likened this to changing the rules of "Musical Chairs" so that everyone has a seat even when there are not enough or any chairs. "Excellence is not achieved by doing exceptional things, but by doing small things exceptionally well," he said.
In addition to coursework over the last nine months that covered a broad spectrum of issues - including leadership building, local and national politics and structures, conservation, lifelong learning, economics, justice, safety and wellness - the graduates were also challenged to present projects that would address a local need and propose a solution.
Four projects were completed. This year's class members chose to study what Green County has and what it takes for economic development; increase giving commitments to four organizations that help Green County residents - Green Haven, Green County Food Pantry, CareNet of Green County's Family Resource Center and the Green County Humane Society; survey public opinion on the Green County Humane Society for its board of directors; and create a relocation guide of services for the county and communities in the county.
Green County Leaders is made possible through a partnership of the Green County Development Corporation, Green County UW-Extension, the Monroe Campus of Blackhawk Technical College, and other area organizations and businesses that donate their time by serving on program committees and as session speakers. The program's mission is to provide an educational program where individuals can practice leadership skills, deepen their understanding of community issues and prepare for leadership roles, thereby creating a network of individuals committed to the future of Green County.
Recruitment for the class of 2008-2009 is starting. Brochures on the program are available at the GCDC office or the Green County UW-Extension office, both located in the Government Services Building at the Pleasant View Complex in Monroe.
