May 23, 2003

 

New Rural Leadership North Dakota Program Looking for First Class Members

Preparing and developing effective leaders to strengthen rural communities. That’s the goal of the new Rural Leadership North Dakota program that begins this fall.

This two-year interactive study and travel program is dedicated to producing graduates with the vision and commitment to lead themselves, their organizations and their communities into the future, says Marie Hvidsten, Rural Leadership North Dakota (RLND) program director with the North Dakota State University Extension Service.

"RLND participants will attend eight seminars and one study tour over the two-year period. The seminars will take place throughout North Dakota, and the study tour will take participants on a six-day tour of sites across the United States," Hvidsten said. "The participants will also share ideas and thoughts with each other electronically."

Seminar topics are:

• Discovering Leaders Within
• Communicating Effectively
• Recognizing Gifts and Differences
• Thinking Critically and Creatively
• Managing Projects
• Understanding Rural Policy
• Understanding the Resource Spectrum
• Affecting Change: The Power of Individuals Working Together.

Hvidsten says this program is for women and men who want to learn about themselves; their organizations; and their community, state, nation and world.

"The program seeks participants who will invest their time and energy, and are open to broadening their perspectives. RLND is for individuals who want to create the conditions for rural North Dakota to grow and prosper," Hvidsten said.

The annual cost to RLND participants is $1,000 for a total of $2,000, though the actual cost of the program is about $11,000. The difference is covered by North Dakota State University, the NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota businesses, organizations, foundations, granting agencies and donors. RLND is now supported through NDSU President Joseph Chapman’s office and the NDSU Extension Service.

Application and recommendation forms for the first Rural Leadership North Dakota class are available at http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/rlnd  or from Hvidsten at (701) 231-5803 or r-leader@ndsuext.nodak.edu,  and are due July 15. Applicants will have a personal interview within 30 days, and about 25 people will be notified by Sept. 1 of their acceptance into the RLND 2003-2005 program.

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Editors: Becky Koch, 701 231-7875, bkoch@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Source: Marie Hvidsten, 701 231-5803, mhvidste@ndsuext.nodak.edu

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