Douglas County was named a 2019 Leadership Transformation Grant Partner by the Kansas Leadership Center.

Through the grant, Douglas County is able to offer leadership training to 40 members of the Food Policy Council, Heritage Conservation Council, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Behavioral Health Leadership Coalition, Board of County Commissioners and county staff in 2019. The grant is valued at up to $25,000 worth of leadership training and support.

“Douglas County is honored to be selected as a recipient of this grant,” said County Commission Chair Michelle Derusseau, during a kick-off event for participants Feb. 21 in Flory Meeting Hall at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. “We hope that involvement in the leadership activities made possible by this grant will challenge us all to increase the capacity to understand and exercise leadership in Douglas County, regardless of formal leadership experience or title, and strengthen relationships between council members, staff and the County Commission.”

Douglas County participants can attend any of the Kansas Leadership Center’s core leadership programs this year:

• Your Leadership Edge – a 3-day introductory training for anyone seeking to build their skills and confidence to lead in any situation.
• Lead for Change – a 2-part, 7-day extensive leadership training designed to help individuals create lasting culture change within their organizations and community, while providing one-on-one support with a Kansas Leadership Center coach.
• Equip to Lead – a 2-day training designed to help you teach, facilitate and incorporate leadership ideas into any context.

“The Leadership Transformation Grants allow participation into KLC’s core programs, which teach that leadership is an activity – not a position – and that anyone with an organization can exercise leadership effectively,” said Ed O’Malley, president and CEO of the Kansas Leadership Center. “These programs offer a framework by which organizations can share a common language and skills to approach their challenges.”

Every year, the Kansas Leadership Center provides 1,500 scholarships to civically engaged organizations across Kansas to participate in leadership programs. “This is an important way we work toward developing stronger, healthier, more prosperous communities throughout our state,” O’Malley said.

Douglas County staff who are participating in leadership training include: Jasmin Moore, Sustainability director; Helen Schnoes, Sustainability & Food Systems planner; Jan Shupert-Arick, Heritage coordinator; Robert Bieniecki, Criminal Justice coordinator; Bob Tryanski, director of Behavioral Health Projects; Jill Jolicoeur, assistant to the county administrator; Sarah Plinsky, county administrator. Commissioners Michelle Derusseau, Nancy Thellman and Patrick Kelly also will be participating in the training.