WRLP equips citizens to become leaders
Almost 70% of participants are elected to public office
Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program alumnus Doug Mueller and President George W. Bush discuss agricultural policy at a 2004 town-hall meeting in Eau Claire. Photo by TOM THIEDING
Recent headline events have sparked widespread discussion about leaders and leadership. A national study on confidence in leadership, released in October 2005 by the Harvard University Center for Public Leadership, found that Americans are highly critical of the state of leadership. Almost two-thirds (66%) of those surveyed believe that there is a "leadership crisis" in the United States today, and 72% see grave consequences for the nation if leaders do not improve.
Survey respondents are also critical of their fellow citizens, with 82% agreeing that "Americans who don't keep up on important issues are a big part of today's leadership problem."
UW-Extension develops leaders
The University of Wisconsin-Extension Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program (WRLP) equips state residents to become effective leaders. Over a two-year span, WRLP "leadership fellows" participate in classroom activities; field experiences; regional, national and international travel; and readings focusing on government, leadership, urban issues, individual/community rights, energy, diversity, technology, global economics and the environment.
Putting leadership skills to work
Since completing WRLP, Doug Mueller, a Fall Creek farmer, is looked to for leadership in his community. When President George W. Bush visited Eau Claire for a town-hall meeting in 2004, Mueller was selected by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation to represent statewide agricultural interests. Using communication skills honed in WRLP, Mueller discussed Wisconsin agricultural policy with the president in front of a large live audience and the media.
WRLP alumna and Sparta registered nurse Sheri Fanning demonstrated her leadership skills in September as a volunteer helping Hurricane Katrina evacuees in a San Antonio, Texas, shelter. In addition to direct-care work with evacuees, Fanning worked closely with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials, physicians and Mexican military officers.
WRLP makes a difference
Fanning says, "What I learned in 'Rural Leadership' has helped me [in] making good decisions, working through problems, knowing how to conduct myself with diverse groups, knowing when to exert myself, and when to step back and let others lead in a different way. Having gone through WRLP made all the difference." —Linda Murray
PROGRAM IMPACTS
- 69% of Wisconsin Rural Leadership participants have been elected to local, county and state offices, boards or commissions.
- 20% serve or have served on foundation, hospital and community organization boards and in other town or municipal roles.
- Alumni help build clinics and schools, start nonprofit organizations, and assist with national disaster relief efforts.
For more information: WRLP Executive Director JoAnn Stormer, (608) 263-0817; www.uwex.edu/ces/wrlp