Now in its 13th year, Leadership San Juan Islands (LSJI) is looking for a few islanders to participate in a five month, county-wide leadership seminar. The tuition-based program fosters leadership skills including group facilitation and collaborative problem solving. It runs for 11 sessions, January to May, 2017 with eight of those on Fridays and three overnight retreats on Saturdays. The cost is $750, which includes all transportation, lodging, educational sessions, and most of the food.

The deadline for applying is Oct. 31, 2016, and applications can be found at http://lsji.org/.

Some financial aid is available.

LSJI is a community leadership program that began in 2004 through a strategic alliance with Skagit Valley College/San Juan Center, the San Juan County Economic Development Council and United Way of the San Juans. Since becoming an independent nonprofit, the alumni-led organization has trained 165 local leaders. Alumni participate on and lead boards and commissions around the county, as well as serve as leaders in both local government and local nonprofits.

The program provides valuable knowledge for anyone working or volunteering in non-profits or involved in a business that serves county residents. Through introductions to local leaders in the areas of economics, government, ecology, art, history and culture, education and social services, participants become aware of and connected to county-wide services and systems. The participant also learns meeting design and facilitation, as well as communication and conflict resolution. Additional training and experiential learning support the development of a community service learning project that benefits the local community. The program has proven beneficial for newcomers to the islands to be quickly acculturated into the how, who, when, where and why of island life.

LSJI has been supported by many local organizations through sponsorships for participants.

The San Juan Island Agricultural Guild has generously supported tuition for farmers; and the San Juan Island Economic Development Council has generously supported tuition for small business owners. Many employers, both nonprofits and private businesses, have found it to be a good investment to sponsor an employee.

For more information contact Program Director Jennifer Rice at jenniferfayrice@gmail.com or 206-310-7271.

Visit us anytime at www.lsji.org.