Star Herald Leadership Scottsbluff

Leadership Scotts Bluff Class of 2011

a Star-Herald publication

LEADERSHIP SCOTTS BLUFF

2 THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

a Star-Herald publication

Leadership Scotts Bluff’s purpose Leadership Scotts Bluff is a comprehensive program designed for current and potential leaders to analyze characteristics associated with leadership, to develop individual

skills to gather an awareness of trends, challenges and issues that face Scotts Bluff County.

The more than 300 graduates of the Leadership Scotts Bluff program have served on school

boards, city councils, county commissions and chambers of commerce as well as assuming leadership roles in civic and community groups in addition to their professional roles.

To find out how you can become a member of the Leadership Scotts Bluff Class of 2012, contact the Scottsbluff-Gering Chamber of Commerce at 308632-2133.

Leadership Scotts Bluff is now accepting applications for the fall session. For more information, visit the website at www.leadershipscottsbluff. net.

Session Sponsors for Leadership Scotts Bluff Graduation: Oregon Trail Plumbing and Heating, Vertex Business Services, North Platte Natural Resources District, Kelley Bean Company, The Spa by TLC, Valley Bank & Trust, Monument Mall,

Leadership Scotts Bluff Board of Directors 2010-11 Kelly Downer, Co-Chair Farm Credit Services of America

Phillip Holliday NTC - Nebraska Transport Co.

Kirk Hayes, Co-Chair Northfield Retirement Communities

Josh Jordening Farm Bureau Financial Services

Kay Grote, Co-Secretary North Platte Nat. Resources Dist.

Eli Aguilar, Treasurer AIM Institute c/o WNCC Pat Comfort Nebraska Workforce Development Chris Geary Community Christian School Andi Grant Summit Christian College

Kathy Kropuenske Keep Scottsbluff/Gering Beautiful Rosie Russell Roger Tollefson Star-Herald Karen Anderson, Ex-Officio Scottsbluff/Gering United Chamber of Commerce Melissa Witmer, Administration Scottsbluff/Gering United Chamber of Commerce

WPCI — Workplace Substance Abuse Testing, First National Bank of North Platte, Platte Valley Bank, Farm Credit Services of America, National Drinks and Walmart.

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LEADERSHIP SCOTTS BLUFF

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Leadership Scotts Bluff Class XXII completes loop

By RICK WILLIS Staff Reporter

The stars shone brightly in the Leadership Scotts Bluff XXII class. One member, Spencer McMurtry, was named Rising Star by the Chamber of Commerce.

Another member, Casandra Bossingham was hired away from the area as the office manager for the Laramie County Fair in Cheyenne, Wyo. A third classmate, Teresa Scanlan, was named Miss America.

But no matter how each individual excelled, the class worked together to help the community with its second annual Hoops for Heroes Event.

The campaign raised $8,500 for the Scotts Bluff Mutual Aid Rural Firefighters association during a night of basketball and brats at the Gering Civic Center. It was a bond between members that helped them to put together a successful fundraiser.

Doug Hoevet, who was elected speaker for the class, said Leadership Scotts Bluff is more than learning to be a leader.

“We came into the sessions not knowing what to expect,” Hoevet said. “I expected there would be training modules on leadership and discussions about regional issues. I also expected to learn from the speakers and take some interesting behind-

the-scenes tours; however, I had underestimated the range and quality of the speakers and our discussions. Leadership Scotts Bluff truly is a top-notch program.”

There were eight sessions of the class September through April. The first session led off with group dynamics and the eighth and final session was dynamic.

Facilitated by Brett Kleffner of Pathways to Leadership, the session helped the class look past the leadership training and forward to leadership opportunities.

“Forward thinking businesses develop their people. Sometimes an emerging leader needs a gentle push,” Kleffner said. “The money your company spent to send you here was well spent, but don’t let it turn into shelf work.”

After lunch LSB presented a check for $8,500 to the rural firefighters. It was the class who chose the firefighters as recipients of the money. In a nod to Scanlan, a “beauty” pageant was held at the basketball intermission in which firefighters and emergency personnel from around the area participated. The crowd was a bit rowdier than a Miss American pageant, but in the end a lot of money was raised for the SBMAA in tight economic times.

Photo by Rick Willis

Parrish Abel, Gering Fire Department, Steve Larson, Gering Fire Department, Dick Cochrane, Gering Fire Department, Shellie Henry, Gering Fire Department, Fred Wood Scotts Bluff Rural Fire Department, Jeremy Kasza, Scotts Bluff Rural Fire Dept. and Dana Miller, City of Scottsbluff Fire Department, accept a check for $8,500 from Leadership Scotts Bluff.

“This was a shock and well-appreciated gift,” said Fred Wood, vice president of the SBMAA and fire chief with SB Rural Fire Department. “Money is tight, and anything we can get is great.”

Wood said the money would go to buying a set of portable lights, which will be available to any of the members who need emergency lighting.

The make up of the class represented a mixture of

industry from the valley: agriculture, banking, community service, education, government, insurance, health care and small business. Volunteers from across the region came to share information about leadership within their industry and business. Classmates planned and implemented the sessions in teams but were usually not the presenters. But as the class came to a close, some in the class said they would

have liked to know more about the members of the class.

“We’d like to get to know the individual more,” Shawn Seiler, assistant principal at Gering High School said. “Maybe before they presented they could give a synopsis of their life.”

A two-day trip to Lincoln helped the class see how the legislators work together to make law, but almost m o r e i m p o r t a n t l y, i t

brought the group together. Hoevet summed up the year of Leadership Scotts Bluff as the class did in the last session — talking about the people who made up the class.

“For me, the best part of the class was developing friendships with the great people throughout the year,” Hoevet said. “We have such a ambitious and thoughtful class, it has been wonderful getting to know each of them.”

Safety Director/ Field Rep. on your completion of Leadership Scotts Bluff.

416 Valley View Dr., S-500, Scottsbluff, NE 69361

(308) 635-1094

Kelley Bean Co. Since 1927 and Here for Future Generations

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LEADERSHIP SCOTTS BLUFF

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What do you feel is lacking in our communities? How do you plan to change that?

Quality jobs. Work on attracting higher paying industries to the area by educating our youth.

What tips of advice on leadership would you give to an emerging leader?

Stick to your dreams. Even when your ideas seem hard to achieve, using the community around you, you can accomplish almost anything.

How would those you lead describe your leadership traits?

I believe my guys would say that I lead by example.

How would those you lead describe your leadership traits?

Strong communication skills, organized, key decision maker

Chose one leader (present or past) that you would have lunch with if the opportunity arose?

Former Gering Mayor Susan Wiedeman

What community organizations are you involved with?

NEXT Young Professionals, Riverside Discovery Center Special Events Committee

Ron Doggett

Casandra Bossingham

What tips of advice on leadership would you give to an emerging leader?

Leadership does not mean “doing it all.”

Leadership is learning to identify and utilize the strengths of others to accomplish tasks and delegate responsibilities appropriately within and outside teams.

What tips of advice on leadership would you give to an emerging leader?

Don’t be afraid of what other people will think when you take charge. Usually they will just be relieved that someone else is taking the initiative to get things done.

How can you help your community grow, develop and be a desirable place to live?

Continue working with the city to develop public works projects that will improve people’s quality of life, such as pathways and green infrastructure.

What community organizations are you involved with?

Colorectal Cancer Coalition; Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska Foundation Board Member; Committees at PREC: Center and Community Relations and Marketing/Public Relations

List one leadership quote that describes you as a leader or your leadership style?

“Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.” ~ Margaret Thatcher

Annie Folck

How can you help your community grow, develop and be a desirable place to live?

I am passionate about meeting the nutritional and health needs of Nebraskans in the Panhandle. I want to find better methods of marketing and advertising what Extension does and has to offer through varying types of media.

Lisa Franzen-Castle

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LEADERSHIP SCOTTS BLUFF

What is one specific leadership trait you acquired, developed or improved on by participating in the Leadership Scotts Bluff program?

Participation in the Leadership Scotts Bluff Program really helped me to learn how to step out of my comfort zone and do some things that I didn’t feel comfortable doing before.

What do you feel is lacking in our communities? How do you plan to change that?

Volunteerism, and I have already started helping the Shopping for Seniors Program

What do you feel is lacking in our communities? How do you plan to change that?

I would like to see more young leaders step up and take on responsibility in our community.

I feel like I can share that vision with a younger crowd and create some interest in community affairs.

What community organizations are you involved with?

Citizen Corps, Shopping with Seniors, National Night Out, Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, Planning Commissioner

Chose one leader (present or past) that you would have lunch with if the opportunity arose?

Jesus Christ would be my obvious answer, but there are other Godly men and women that have been great leaders that I would like to talk to; Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan among many others.

What tips of advice on leadership would you give to an emerging leader?

Be active in your community

Jeri Goodman

“

People ask the difference is between a leader and a boss.

The leader works in the open, and the boss in covert.

” — Theodore Roosevelt

Congratulations

Rick Willis We’re proud of your completion of Leadership Scotts Bluff.

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Jackie Greenman

LEADERSHIP SCOTTS BLUFF

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What is one specific leadership trait you acquired, developed or improved on by participating in the Leadership Scotts Bluff program?

I have improved my goal setting

What is one specific leadership trait you acquired, developed or improved on by participating in the Leadership Scotts Bluff program?

Inspiration

What tips of advice on leadership would you give to an emerging leader?

Believe in yourself and you will succeed, know your strengths and weaknesses, set goals and strive to achieve them.

What tips of advice on leadership would you give to an emerging leader?

As a leader you need to commit to learning for the rest of you life.

Chose one leader (present or past) that you would have lunch with if the opportunity arose?

God

What is the last book you read?

“How Full Is Your Bucket?” by Tom Rath and Donald O Clifton

Anna Gurrola

Cherokee Gribble

“

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.

Congratulations

”

Melissa Snyder, congratulations on your completion of Leadership Scotts Bluff.

— John Quincy Adams Scotts Bluff County Ag Society

It’s employees like you that make a difference in our community.

Congratulates

Lanna Hubbard Scotts Bluff County Fair Manager on her completion of the Leadership Scotts Bluff Program

Melissa Snyder, RN CICU

4021 Avenue B | Scottsbluff, NE 69361 | 308.635.3711 | rwhs.org

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LEADERSHIP SCOTTS BLUFF What is one specific leadership trait you acquired, developed or improved on by participating in the Leadership Scotts Bluff program?

Not sure if this is a leadership trait, but I enjoyed meeting individuals that I may have not had the opportunity to meet otherwise, and the networking between class members was very interesting to observe.

What is one specific leadership trait you acquired, developed or improved on by participating in the Leadership Scotts Bluff program?

This class has shown me how interlaced the community truly is, and because of this understanding, it will help me become a more effective community leader.

What do you feel is lacking in our communities? How do you plan to change that?

I believe sometimes people get too wrapped up in their own world, and forget that improvements to the whole community make their lives better too. I plan to develop and partner in projects that engage others and provide meaningful involvement.

List one leadership quote that describes you as a leader or your leadership style?

“The leader has to be practical and a realist, yet must talk the language of the visionary and the idealist.” ~Eric Hoffer

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How would those you lead describe your leadership traits?

I enjoy working side by side with employees, and respectful to their needs Chose one leader (present or past) that you would have lunch with if the opportunity arose?

Biblically, Abraham and past Packers Coach Vince Lombardi

Lanna Hubbard

Doug Hoevet

“

Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.

”

— General George Patton The UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center congratulates it’s Leadership Scottsbluff graduate

Congrats, grads!

U.S. Bank is proud to recognize Branch Manager Jackie Greenman and Sales and Service Manager Cherokee Gribble for graduating with the 2010/2011 Leadership Scottsbluff Class XXII. Scottsbluff North 702 E 27th Street Scottsbluff, NE 69361 308-632-9106

Dr. Karla Jenkins, cow-calf/range management specialist

usbank.com Member FDIC

Jackie Greenman

Gering Branch 1650 10th Street Gering, NE 69341 308-436-5066

Cherokee Gribble

Torrington Branch 2034 West B Street Torrington, WY 82240 307-532-7063

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LEADERSHIP SCOTTS BLUFF

What tips of advice on leadership would you give to an emerging leader?

Leadership without accountability is a dictatorship.

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What is one specific leadership trait you acquired, developed or improved on by participating in the Leadership Scotts Bluff program?

Being more confident in myself and my ideas.

What is the last book you read?

Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle

Describe a leader using three adjectives or phrases.

Confident, truthful, informed

What community organizations are you involved with?

Mitchell Public Schools, Mitchell Berean Church , Scotts Bluff County 4-H

What community organizations are you interested in contributing to and participating in?

Chamber of Commerce, YMCA.

Brian Kaman

Karla Jenkins

Chose one leader (present or past) that you would have lunch with if the opportunity arose?

Jesus

What is one specific leadership trait you acquired, developed or improved on by participating in the Leadership Scotts Bluff program?

Humility because it leads to strength and not weakness

What community organizations are you involved with?

Scotts Bluff County CERT, NEXT, Camp Scott

What do you feel is lacking in our communities? How do you plan to change that?

Probably the need to work together as Twin Cities. Make sure that I do anything I can to make effort to get the community to see that their differences are not worth tearing down others to see that their ideas are put in place.

Chose one leader (present or past) that you would have lunch with if the opportunity arose?

I wanted to have lunch with Mary Kay Ash — I did — I had a leadership class taught by her.

She always taught to keep God first, family second and career third. She also taught you need to pretend that everyone wears an invisible sign around their neck. “Make me feel important.”

Jean Kearns

How can you help your community grow, develop and be a desirable place to live?

By being involved in community events, whether it’s a one-day commitment to help someone or a specific project, or a continuous commitment to be involved in an organization.

Enjoying the things our community offers there are many - and promoting them by taking a friend or encouraging someone else to take advantage. Word of mouth is the best advertiser.

Brittany Kleager

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LEADERSHIP SCOTTS BLUFF

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What is one specific leadership trait you acquired, developed or improved on by participating in the Leadership Scotts Bluff program?

If I could pick just one trait that Leadership Scotts Bluff helped me developed it would be, to be comfortable with myself around other people and to be able to communicate without being worried that I would offend others. My Leadership Scotts Bluff class and board members really helped me realize everyone around s exactly the same as me…they just want to be happy and see everyone succeed. Before joining Leadership Scotts Bluff I was scared to death of meeting people. Now, I LOVE meeting new people!

What is one specific leadership trait you acquired, developed or improved on by participating in the Leadership Scotts Bluff program?

Public speaking What benefit is your community going to receive from you attending this leadership program?

Getting more involved with the community What community organizations are you involved with?

American Legion,Toastmaster,NAIFA

Travis Lewis

What do you feel is lacking in our communities? How do you plan to change that?

I feel like we are already such a great community! One thing I feel our community is lacking is interesting groups and organizations for our young people to join. We need make sure and keep the younger generation excited about our community and get them involved, after all they are our future!

Ways that I personally would like to help would be to speak to the younger generation and get them excited and motivated about everything that is possible for them in this awesome community! There are so many more resources available here than in bigger cities. We need to let them know what those resources are and get them excited about it!

Spencer McMurtry

What is the last book you read?

The last book I read was “Excuse Me! Your Life is Waiting by Lynn Grabhorn” This book is about paying attention to your feelings and how to make dreams come true, and create the kind of life you really want to live!

What do you feel is lacking in our communities? How do you plan to change that?

I see a select few people have a vision for this community and its future… The problem is that not many people see that vision. Through this program, I have a deeper understanding of the need for water first and foremost. This then drives our strong “backbone” of the community; Agriculture!

Which then branches out all of our other services and goods that make this a wonderfully well rounded community! Now if the young people and future leaders of our community do not see the importance of these things for the advancement of our community, then we have no vision. Spreading the word of this to our youth through interaction personally, in youth groups, and in my clinic is ONE way to change this.

What is one specific leadership trait you acquired, developed or improved on by participating in the Leadership Scotts Bluff program?

I have a broader perspective now. The class increased my knowledge base not only in the leadership arena, but I also learned so much about the Valley and Panhandle.

What tips of advice on leadership would you give to an emerging leader?

Choose your response rather than reacting List one leadership quote that describes you as a leader or your leadership style?

I like “Act or be acted upon” — it’s a reminder to anticipate and keep moving forward

Chose one leader (present or past) that you would have lunch with if the opportunity arose?

Although I am not an Apple fan… I think Steve Jobs would be a brilliant man to talk with. I love his vision, and his passion. And just look at his ability to lead a nation into believing in the next product they MUST have. He really is one of the TRUE visionaries of our time.

Michael Moravec

How can you help your community grow, develop and be a desirable place to live?

Advocacy. I will help my four boys, Logan, Lucas, Mitchell, and Ben, understand what we have and why it is such a great place to be a part of. Hopefully, with them, their friends, and involvement with youth activities, my passion for the area will spread like wildfire!

Sheri Olsson

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LEADERSHIP SCOTTS BLUFF

Success & Goals “An event that accomplishes its intended purpose”- “the favorable outcome of attempts.” These are some definitions to success, yet what qualifies this “favorable outcome” or “intended purpose?” To me, both personal and professional success includes doing my very best, growing as a person, bettering others, and leaving a person, place, or situation better than it was when I started. That being said, success is never fully reached, but is constantly being sought, with each of these things happening in the process. In order to do this, I would like to learn how to be efficient and effective.

Your own experiences with leadership Leaders must be passionate, trustworthy, courageous, and self-sacrificing. Principles of leadership include: Know yourself and seek self-improvement Know those following you and look out for their welfare Set the example Ensure the task is understood, supervised and accomplished Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions I believe our founding fathers showed true leadership, as they fought courageously, not only for what they believed was right, but what they knew was best for future generations.

Throughout the past few years with my involvement in pageantry, I have become a leader of many girls both younger and older than me. As Miss Scottsbluff County, I organized several community service projects with the other Fair Queens throughout the year.

Now as Miss Nebraska, I have launched several efforts with my platform issue of eating disorders awareness such as a Facebook page, a bracelet campaign, a school program, and more. Several years ago, however, I was very shy and refused to lead, but I now wish I would have taken those opportunities to be a leader.

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What tips of advice on leadership would you give to an emerging leader?

Get involved; don’t wait for somebody to ask you to help. Build relationships through serving others.

Describe a leader using three adjectives or phrases.

Communicator, servant, visionary What community organizations are you involved with?

Project Extra Mile; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; Drug Court; Next Young Professionals; Teammates

Shawn Seiler

Teresa Scanlan

What is one specific leadership trait you acquired, developed or improved on by participating in the Leadership Scotts Bluff program?

LSB has been an amazing program to be in and I am so thankful to be a part of this amazing class. The networking, friendships and memories I have made will last a lifetime. Remember, “Good leaders make people feel that they’re at the very heart of things, not at the periphery.” ~ Warren Bennis

What is one specific leadership trait you acquired, developed or improved on by participating in the Leadership Scotts Bluff program?

A broader understanding of our natural resources and community and state government.

What benefit is your community going to receive from you attending this leadership program?

As a Registered Nurse working at the hospital we deal with people daily. It has made me aware of businesses and resources available for people to use and purchase that many people may not be aware we have in our community.

List one leadership quote that describes you as a leader or your leadership style?

“The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one often comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher

Chose one leader (present or past) that you would have lunch with if the opportunity arose?

Teresa Scanlan

Melissa Snyder

What tips of advice on leadership would you give to an emerging leader?

Don’t act like you are better than a team member. Come alongside them and teach them. Don’t put yourself on a pedestal because they will learn best by you showing them and then letting them do it not by being told what to do and you acting like no matter what they do, they are not good enough.

Rebecca Thurman

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LEADERSHIP SCOTTS BLUFF

Your thoughts/views on leadership Leaders are respected, confident, not afraid to fail, and remain calm in adverse situations.

Integrity, teamwork, loyalty, and honesty are timeless leadership principles. My favorite leaders are Martin Luther King, Jr and John Kennedy. I respect Martin Luther King, Jr. for making changes in our society that seemed unchangeable. He was hated and despised for his belief, but stood by them. He was able to accomplish the impossible. I think John Kennedy had a certain personality, charisma, and integrity that made him a very important American leader.

Your own experiences with leadership I truly believe I was born to be a leader. When I was a child I seemed to be the one to follow. In my personal life I feel I am looked up to because of my own personality, charisma, and integrity. Professionally I am in a position of leadership. I have eventually ended up in positions of leadership from hardwork, honesty, and loyalty. There have been several situations when I have not been the leader. Many of these situations have been with new groups. lf I have not established my self with the group, I do not feel comfortable in a leadership position.

Your Community I think the biggest issue l see in Scotts Bluff County is our multi-cultural youth. Being Hispanic, I see a lack of leaders in our community. I feel many Hispanic, Native American, and African-American youth are not represented in our community.

Kristie Vallejo

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What do you feel is lacking in our communities? How do you plan to change that?

Forward thinking. Publish articles and speak with people about problems.

What tips of advice on leadership would you give to an emerging leader?

Listen more talk less. Failure is part of the process, fail – get up and be willing to fail again.

What community organizations are you involved with?

Red Cross, Candy Grasmick’s nursing home ministry

Rick Willis

Photo by Melissa Snyder

ABOVE: A highlight of the event was visiting with Governor Dave Heineman and First Lady of Nebraska Sally Ganem in their home.

Photo by Randy Henry

LEFT: Sean Shirley, Peoples Choice Award winner, struts his stuff at the Leadership Scotts Bluff Hoops for Heroes event.

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LEADERSHIP SCOTTS BLUFF

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Photo by Rick Willis

ABOVE:Leadership Scotts Bluff members watch the floor action at the unicameral in Lincoln. LSB was joined with the group from Chadron.

Photo by Melissa Snyder

LEFT: The governor and Snickers, the first dog, were a hit. Snickers kept editorializing during the governor’s answers to the class.

Photo by Randy Henry

Jeff Vance, seen here with his trophy, won the Overall Mr. Firefighter trophy as well as the talent portion. The firefighters raised $540 in the Firefighter portion of the pageant.

Photo by Randy Henry

Selling raffle tickets is a silly business for Shawn Seiler.