Programs develop community leaders

The stated objective of Leadership Reno-Sparks is straightforward: Develop a group of leaders who have knowledge and awareness of community issues.

Equally important, however, may be the way that the program allows potential leaders to begin developing personal relationships among a cadre of likeminded individuals.

The newest class of Leadership Reno-Sparks began its nine-month training program last month, and the 32 members of the class this week will get a one-day primer in how the education system works.

One-day sessions through the year will cover subjects ranging from the local economy to law enforcement, from arts and culture to the role of

government.

"You want to create new community leaders people who are interested in public service or volunteering," said Dee Schafer, vice chairman of the group that oversees the program operated by the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce.

The nearly 700 graduates of the program since its inception in 1985 include some big names politically Attorney General Brian Sandoval, Sheriff Dennis Balaam, former mayor Jeff Griffin and Reno Councilwoman Sharon Zadra.

But Jim DeVolld, chairman of the Leadership Council, said the graduates include a wide swath of the community, everyone from low-key directors of nonprofit agencies to business leaders who want to make a difference in their community.

The common element, he said, is that participants in Leadership Reno- Sparks have demonstrated that they're willing to get to work to solve problems and aren't content merely to complain.

The application process makes that clear.

Participants are asked to identify critical issues facing the community and, more important, asked for potential solutions.

Even while the program is in session, each class completes a public-service project.

One group, for instance, organized itself to create basketball courts at Wingfield Park.

An association of alumni of the leadership program, meanwhile, takes on even more community service projects and plays a leading role in making sure the program recruits demographically diverse participants.

Each class usually includes 30 to 35 people drawn from between 75 and 100 applicants, DeVolld said.

Participants' time commitments are strict.

If they miss one of the day-long monthly sessions, they're loaded down with homework to catch up.

The financial commitment also gets participants' attention.

The cost is $1,300 $1,000 for chamber members although the alumni association raises scholarships to help individuals and organizations that otherwise might find the cost impossible.

"If they're good people, you don't want to leave them out," DeVolld said.

The Reno-Sparks program was one of the first of its kind in the nation, and chambers from across the United States have used it as a model for their own efforts.

At the same time, the Reno-Sparks program has looked to widen its reach.

For a decade, for example, a youth program has provided high school juniors with training similar to that provided to adult participants.

Between 30 and 40 students a year have come from schools throughout Washoe County including Incline Village and Gerlach for monthly sessions.

Graduates of that program become eligible for college scholarships financed by Leadership Reno-Sparks.

To apply for the Leadership Reno- Sparks program or the youth program, contact Jane Gilbert, the executive director of Leadership Reno-Sparks, at the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce, P.O.

Box 3499, Reno, 89505.

The phone number is 337-3041 The organization operates a Web site at leadershiprenosparks.org.