|
Back
to Front Page
Next Article - Chairman's Message
The turning of a new year has traditionally been a time of
reflection and fresh beginnings. 2005 is sure to present challenges
to our conventional wisdom, faith, inner fortitude, sense
of humor and creativity. But it also is a new opportunity
to make a difference in our community and region, our country,
and our world. LEAD San Diego is poised to seize that opportunity.
In thinking about 2005, it is clear that our leadership styles
must be attentive to a growing global connection. As community
leaders, we can—and will—take steps that connect
us to the world. We need to be prepared, as we are directly
impacted by the global economy, struggles for democracy, disasters,
terror and war.
As we struggle with these daunting global challenges, let’s
turn our thoughts to our own region and think about how our
leadership skills can benefit those in our local communities,
either by looking to the other side of town or in a distant
corner of the county. In this community, we are blessed with
an opportunity to impact people’s lives, develop our
skills, and stay connected to the world in a more meaningful
way.
First, we are a global community with neighborhoods of new
and long-time immigrants who possess the cultural and language
skills of their homelands. These people are valuable resources
to us: they can connect us to whole segments of our population.
This, combined with our connection to neighboring Mexico,
creates an overwhelming array of opportunities to develop
new perspectives, learn new cultures, and take action through
community service.
Second, we are a community full of creativity and innovation.
Let’s push forward in our efforts to utilize the region’s
creative, knowledge-based advantage to community problem-solving
like never before. San Diego is filled with brilliant and
successful entrepreneurs. Let’s tap that energy and
connect it to our community leadership efforts. Let’s
take social entrepreneurialism to new heights throughout this
region.
Lastly, we are a community who can do much more to build
a sense of fellowship among its citizens. Our leadership styles
must knowingly create venues that welcome new faces and new
ideas. Additionally, we must inspire a sense of ownership
and belonging to our region and its future.
These core fundamentals are the driving force behind LEAD
San Diego. Right now, our LEADership Action Teams are deeply
engaged in service-learning throughout San Diego County, and
in this third year of increasingly successful service, the
program has generated new momentum. Additionally, LEAD has
scheduled several upcoming events that are designed for LEAD
members to strengthen their leadership skills on a regular
or as-needed basis (refer to the details inside). To make
all of this work in a time of rapid change, the LEAD Membership
Directory remains an ever-expanding resource online. Visionary
community leadership is celebrated and the connection with
others is valued like never before.
This edition of CONNECTIONS will share a short recap of the
past few months, as well as highlight the exciting things
2005 has in store. As we embark on a fresh new year that holds
so much promise, please join us in embracing a leadership-oriented
21st Century community that thrives in the global economy.
To learn more about these activities or to support them in
a new way, please contact LEAD San Diego at 619.232.3918 or
visit us at www.leadsandiego.com. |
