Learning in San Benito County doesn't have to end with high school or college.
Leadership San Benito is 6-year-old program that aims to educate adults about the community and give people tools that they can use in their jobs and other fields.
Residents who join the 11-month program pay a fee of $1,200. That money goes toward the monthly meetings, a facilitator, bus travel, guest speakers and class food, said Will Sutton, the past founding president of the board.
Some businesses give scholarships that can help someone pay part of the cost, said Michelle Damm, the executive director of Leadership San Benito. Businesses and people contribute to help raise the funds, said Mary Damm, the president of the board for Leadership San Benito.
"People really do want to know about their community," she said.
Each month, the class learns about a new theme. It's not like a classroom setting, she said, and there is a new meeting place each time around.
Some of the topics attendees learn about in the classes include local government, the local economy, education and public safety, said Jim West, the fundraising chairman for the group.
Organizers strive to make sure there's a diverse group of people in leadership, Michelle Damm said.
"It's pretty equal among men and women," she said.
They have had people of all different levels of government participate such as city council members, county health department employees, mayors and police chiefs, said Sutton.
San Benito County Marshall and current member Robbie Scattini said the program makes you aware of the community. Everyone in the class seems happy to be there, he said.
"It's a great start for someone who wants to be a leader," he said.
Scattini said there are a lot of sharp people in the class. He thinks the program would be good for anybody.
Current member Julie Bonnett said she has enjoyed learning about the community and how people can make it better. Her favorite topic has been the historic day, she said. Seeing the county's historic park was amazing, she added, and she would recommend the program to other people.
Leadership San Benito wants to teach people to improve in three areas: leadership skills, knowledge about the community and to be able to use the available tools in the community, Mary Damm said.
The program will help people understand how to work with others, how to be a leader and how not to be a leader, said West. It's a group of people with different opinions who work toward a solution, West said.
Damm has taken the classes and said people will look forward to that one day of the month. Leadership is different for everyone and what they get out of it, Michelle Damm said.
"It's interesting to watch people grow," Mary Damm said.
The steering committee develops the criteria for monthly training. Jim West, who is on the steering committee, said that panel works with each day's chairperson and helps shape the activities for that session.
Leadership San Benito uses a lot of people in the community who are experts in the field about which members learn, Mary Damm said. They try to get each class to do a project in the community for a nonprofit group, she said.
The first year the program started the group helped build the Chamberlain's Children Center house and the following year the group made a video about anti-gang tactics, which is shown in classrooms, West said.
Leadership is popular because of the results people get, Michelle Damm said. It's even life changing for some people, she said.
"It can help someone come out of their shell," she said.
And they try to make it educational and entertaining, said West.
There is a graduation at the end of the 11-month program. There are some speakers, awards and a dinner, Damm said. The dinner for graduates is donated by San Juan Oaks.
"Everyone has a different reason (why they come)," mary Damm said. "Some businesses send their employees."
Leadership San Benito is a nonprofit organization. It was started in 2002 when the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce sponsored the program, Michelle Damm said. The first class started in 2004. It is run solely by volunteers, except for one paid position.
There are around 55 volunteers with Leadership San Benito, said West.
"Leadership builds awareness," Mary Damm said. "People can see things from a different point of view."
The 2009 program starts in August. Each class day will provide a learning session about something in the community and free lunch - which is usually donated by someone.
"It's a learning experience," Mary Damm said. "People like to learn."
Kristen Tolleson Kristen Tolleson covers San Benito County and education for the Free Lance. Contact her at ktolleson@freelancenews.com or (831) 637-5566, ext. 335.
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