Team Leadership Development Training
Benefits Communities

The success of the first Leadership Development Training is evident from the overwhelmingly positive responses received from participants. Throughout the year, more than 200 emerging leaders and community bankers attended the two-day workshops held in a five-state district. Attendees participated in teams of three with a total of 67 communities represented.

A team comprised of several state housing, economic development and banking associations cosponsored the training in each state. Heartland Center for Leadership Development, an independent, non-profit organization located in Lincoln, Nebraska, facilitated the sessions.

Training topics ranged from strategic planning and community participation to networking and facilitator techniques. The sessions introduced skills and resources leaders need to manage change and create a sustainable future for their communities. Participants also learned how to assume leadership roles as well as support and nurture leaders in rural areas.

“By the end of each workshop, many communities realized that other communities face the same population, economic development, housing and community participation challenges.”

Vicki Luther

Community participation, a popular issue among many current leaders, was addressed in-depth. Heartland presented ideas for increasing youth involvement, sharing leadership roles, encouraging community participation and much more. Networking and sharing between teams generated thoughtful discussions and interesting ideas.

Vicki Luther, co-founder of Heartland Center, commented on the significance of networking for the leadership attendees. “The community teams in each state willingly shared their experiences on various topics. This is important for those communities fearing they are alone and facing unique challenges,” stated Ms. Luther. “By the end of each workshop, many communities realized that other communities face the same population, economic development, housing and community participation challenges.”

A number of impressive teams representing remarkable communities throughout the Bank’s district attended each of the five workshops. Shelley Deutsch from Roslyn, South Dakota, and Jenny Roering from Eden, South Dakota, two members of a three-person regional team, attended the training in Chamberlain, South Dakota. Shelley is assistant vice president of Decotah Bank, and Jenny is a self-employed business owner. Both women are volunteers for Community Advancement for Roslyn and Eden (C.A.R.E.), an organization comprised of a group of citizens interested in working together to make Roslyn and Eden better places to live.

We had the opportunity to ask Shelley and Jenny about the workshop and how C.A.R.E. and their communities benefitted from their attendance.
Q: In your opinion, what was the most beneficial part of the training?
What topics were most applicable for your leadership position in your community?

Shelley: Networking with the other communities was very interesting. I enjoyed hearing how the other groups had developed, what projects they expect to go in the future. It amazed me how much we all have in common.

Jenny: The speakers gave us great ideas and reinforced the fact that we are on the right track in helping our communities. As one of the younger adults in our group, I realized from the training that I need to keep in touch with our children to make them aware of what our communities have to offer and what they can do to improve them.

Q: Do you think that the team concept is an important component to the training and an integral part
to creating community change?

Shelley: It was great being with our team. By participating as a team, the chances are higher that we will remember more information.

Jenny: To make communities grow and improve, we have to work together as a “team.” Attending this training as a team was good because there were several of us to return to C.A.R.E. and share our ideas and enthusiasm.

Q: How have you applied the concepts you learned at the training to your communities? Would you
recommend the training to others?

Shelley: We learned a lot and had a great time! Our group began with strategic planning, but we need to do it more often to re-evaluate our goals. I believe we now know, because of the training, that the work we have done so far is on track. We are also aware of things that we must do to accomplish our goals for the future. I would highly recommend this training for groups. It was great to learn that we have done some things right, need to change some things, but mostly that everyone there was interested in improving their community and making a difference.

Jenny: The training was very helpful for our two communities. We left there with the feeling that we are heading in the right direction in improving and helping our communities grow. It is okay not to be able to put every idea into practice. I believe more communities throughout the state should have been there to get ideas to help themselves. The whole state has these same problems. If nothing else, it was a great place to network and get the ideas and support.

We appreciate Ms. Roerig’s (left) and Ms.Deutsch’s (right) time and contribution to this article.

If you would like to find out more about the Leadership Development Training program, please contact Kevin Welsh in the Community Investment Department at 800.544.3452, ext. 1025.

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