Join the next class of Leadership Mendocino!
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Applications for the 2019-20 Leadership Mendocino Class XXVII are now available.
Leadership Mendocino is a ten-month program of North Coast Opportunities that introduces local citizens to Mendocino County’s health care, education, natural resources, agriculture, economic, financial and governing issues. Once a month from August through May, the class meets at venues in different locations around the county to hear from Mendocino’s experts, movers and shakers, policy makers, entrepreneurs and innovators.
“Leadership Mendocino was an eye -opening experience to all that the county does and provides on a local and global level. Almost every industry imaginable is here, and we wouldn’t normally hear of them because either they are small companies, or our own professions don’t cross paths with them,” says Maira Meza, marketing and community outreach coordinator for Community First Credit Union and graduate of last year’s class. “LM does a great job at bringing them to light.”
Jon Glidewell from Class XXIV appreciates the networking opportunities, “I'm very lucky to have met so many interesting people who are engaged and interested in making positive change in our county.”
The 10-month Leadership Mendocino program combines unique field trips, stakeholder presentations and lively discussions on current issues and controversial topics. For example, on Government Day, during a mock county council, class members debated whether to approve a potential housing project in Ukiah.
In addition to being immersed in county and community issues, each class member gets involved in a project that benefits the broader community. Alternatively, a class member may choose to be on a board of directors for a non-profit or on one of the county commissions and committees that have vacancies.
"I truly enjoyed my experience in LM Class 24,” says Martin Rodriguez, owner of Ace Copy in Willits, who stepped up to coordinate the Willits Walk For Health and Wellness. “In the program I met some wonderful people and, in the process, discovered how diverse Mendocino County really is.”
“I’ve lived here in since the early 1980s and I learned about many new interesting, amazing, innovative and worthwhile activities going on,” said Nadine DeLapo a member of Leadership Mendocino XXII. She loved hearing about the variety of programs at Mendocino College, especially the nursing program.
“The best part was making connections with people who share the same love for Mendocino County and want to see it prosper and grow,” says Meza.
Employers who support Leadership Mendocino include Fetzer Vineyards, the County of Mendocino, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, North Coast Opportunities, Community First Credit Union, Adventist Health Ukiah Valley, City of Ukiah, City of Fort Bragg, the Saturday Afternoon Club, Savings Bank of Mendocino, Harvest Market, Mendocino County Tourism Commission, Mendocino County Office of Education, North Coast Opportunities, Ukiah Rotary, Alan Limbird Dentistry and Mendocino College.
When the 30 members of Class XXVI graduate on May 30, 2019 they will join 677 alumni from Leadership Mendocino since 1992. Deadline to apply for Leadership Mendocino Class XXVII is June 3, 2019.
For more information, view the flyer for the 2019-2020 class and to download an application, click here, visit Leadership Mendocino online at LeadershipMendocino.org, email lm@ncoinc.org, or call 467-3230.