LEADERSHIP OWATONNA - Riverland Community College

A COMMUNITY BASED
LEADERSHIP
PROGRAM
LEADERSHIP OWATONNA
What is Leadership Owatonna?
Leadership Owatonna is a community leadership program which provides participants an intense look at business, agriculture, politics,
education, quality of life, health care, human services, public safety and diversity of our community. The program is designed as an
educational opportunity that enables participants to learn about this area’s resources, values, strengths, weaknesses, and challenges.
The intent is to motivate and encourage participants to assume individual leadership roles in community affairs. Participants create
strong relationships to encourage their future involvement and collaboration in addressing the region’s challenges.
Who should apply?
Ideal candidates for Leadership Owatonna are individuals who:
Owatonna Area Chamber of
Commerce and Tourism
320 Hoffman Drive
Owatonna, MN 55060
• are highly motivated to serve their community and have a passion to make a difference
• want to cultivate relationships with a network of other community leaders, for both personal and professional benefit
• have demonstrated community involvement
• represent various sectors of the community; business, industry, education, public and private agencies, civic groups and other
facets of the community
What is the time commitment involved?
Leadership Owatonna consists of ten sessions the 2nd Tuesday of every month. Participation in the program requires a serious
commitment of time and energy as well as reading assignments to be completed outside of program time. Participants meet for a full
day each month, meeting September through June. In addition, a three hour evening kickoff event is held in August. See the website
for specific dates: www.riverland.edu/communityleadership or www.owatonna.org
Selected applicants will be expected to meet the following commitments:
• attend all program sessions
• arrive on time and attend the entirety of each session
• spend approximately five hours each month on outside reading & assignments
• submit a final portfolio and give a 10 minute presentation at June graduation
Where will program sessions be held?
This localized program was designed by the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism in cooperation with Riverland
Community College and its Training and Development Division. All sessions are facilitated locally and are held at a different location
each month.
How: A series of intense thematic seminars held over a specific period of time and conducted by local and regionally known
professionals. The bulk of the instructional staff is drawn from volunteers in the community and area.
Brad Meier
President & CEO
Owatonna Area Chamber of
Commerce and Tourism
320 Hoffman Drive
Owatonna, MN 55060
Dr. Ron Langrell
Executive Vice President of Academic
& Student Affairs
Owatonna College & University Center
965 Alexander Drive SW
Owatonna, MN 55060
2012-13
Provided by the Owatonna Area
Chamber of Commerce and Tourism
and Riverland Community College
How do I apply for Leadership Owatonna? Applications are available online or by contacting either the Owatonna Area
Chamber of Commerce and Tourism at 507- 451-7970, www.owatonna.org or Riverland Community College at 800-247-5039
ext. 0612, www.riverland.edu/communityleadership
What is the tuition cost? Tuition for Leadership Owatonna is $775. Tuition is payable at the time a participant is accepted into the
program and must be received prior to the August Kickoff session. Scholarship opportunities are available. The Leadership
Owatonna program is a 3 credit course: SMGT 1025
When are applications due?
Applications must be received by May 21, 2012.
Who will review the applications?
A selection committee will review the applications and select the participants for Leadership Owatonna.
When will I find out if I’ve been selected?
A notification letter will be mailed to all applicants by the end of June 2012.

PARTICIPANT
TESTIMONIALS
DOUG BETTI, VIRACON
“I personally benefited from Leadership Owatonna in two
ways. First, I have a better understanding of the variety of
organizations that make a positive impact on Owatonna
day in and day out. Second, it gave me the opportunity to
meet and connect with a group of people who are active in
Owatonna.”
KATHLEEN SMITH, US BANK
“Leadership Owatonna has opened avenues for me to
utilize my leadership skills within our community. On the
journey I discovered many things about Owatonna. I
also learned about the vision, forward thinking and raw
determination of those leaders who came before us building
this Owatonna community and those who keep it a vibrant
strong community. It really is true; you are never too old to
learn. This is a great program and I am so privileged to have
been a part of it.”
ALAN FRABONI, PEARSON
“With all of the bad news filling our lives today, Leadership
Owatonna offers solutions. The knowledge and information
gained through the program showed me where and how I
can contribute to the Owatonna community in a variety of
different ways. With zero regrets, having gone through the
program, I have gained some valuable relationships and
opened the doors for myself to improve my opportunities for
both personal and professional growth.”
KURT ALAN HALVERSON, HOME TOWN CREDIT UNION
“Leadership Owatonna showed me that anyone can get
involved in making our community a better place. You can
get involved as little or as much as you wish, as every bit
makes a difference!”
DAWN RATHAI, FEDERATED INSURANCE
“Leadership Owatonna has changed the way I look at my
community. It provided me with the opportunity to have a
front row seat and learn about many aspects of the inner
workings that I was unaware of. While I gained a lot of
valuable knowledge, the one thing that stood out to me
time and time again was the high level of collaboration and
partnership that occurs I this community making it the place
it is today.”
EMPLOYER
TESTIMONIALS
SCOTT CHABOT, PEARSON
“Pearson has been actively participating in the Leadership
Owatonna program since 2009. This unique program has
allowed us to recognize our talented employees by allowing
them to learn and grow more within the community. We
continue to benefit from the rich leadership and cultural
experiences they received and look forward to encouraging
many more to consider participation in the years ahead.”
KIM WESTPHAL, HOME TOWN CREDIT UNION
“Leadership Owatonna has proven to be an invaluable program
for Home Town Credit Union. It has become an integral part
of our leadership development process and has had a very
positive impact on both the professional and personal growth
of our employees. Many leaders at our Credit Union have
participated in the program and have benefited from the
networking opportunities this program provides, along with the
opportunity to learn more about Owatonna and the resources
within our community. Individual participants thoroughly
enjoy being involved in the program and the experiences it
provides. Leadership Owatonna provides participants with
an opportunity to focus on their personal leadership skills and
helps them identify how these skills can benefit the community
of Owatonna.
JIM WENDORFF, VIRACON
“Viracon is a huge supporter of Leadership Owatonna! Our
success has come from the Owatonna community and we
believe that giving back to the community will be a benefit
to all. Many key leaders within Viracon have participated in
Leadership Owatonna and have contributed their time and
talents to a variety of community organizations. We see value
in this program today and in the future.”
Our Mission Statement
To provide emerging and experienced
leaders the opportunity to enhance
their personal, professional and
community leadership skills
and effectiveness.
2012-2013
CALENDAR
AUGUST 7
Program Kickoff
SEPTEMBER 11
Community
Leadership Day
OCTOBER 9
Quality of Life Day
NOVEMBER 13
Government Day
DECEMBER 11
Education Day
JANUARY 8
Economic
Development Day
APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
ONLINE OR BY CONTACTING:
Owatonna Area Chamber of
Commerce and Tourism
320 Hoffman Drive
Owatonna, MN 55060
507-451-7970
www.owatonna.org
FEBRUARY 12
Health & Public
Safety Day
MARCH 12
Argi-Business Day
APRIL 9
Criminal Justice Day
MAY 14
Arts & Diversity Day
JUNE 11
Graduation Day
Applications
are due
May 21, 2012
Riverland Community College
Owatonna College & University Center
965 Alexander Drive SW
800-247-5039 ext. 0612
www.riverland.edu/communityleadership
THANK YOU
The Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism and
Riverland Community College would like to acknowledge and
thank the following organizations for their support of
the community leadership program:
Founding Sponsors
Federated Insurance
Wells Fargo Bank
University of St. Thomas
Sponsors
A.J. Lysne Contracting
Alexander Lumber Company
Applebee’s
Associated Church
B & B Manufacturing
Business & Professional
Women’s Club
CashWise
Charter Media
City of Owatonna
Community Bank Owatonna
Curves for Women
Dow, Einhus, Mattison &
Carver, P.A.
ERA Gillespie Real Estate
Express Personnel Services
Federated Insurance
First Baptist Church
Gainey Conference Center
Gandy Company
Gateway Apartments
Home Town Credit Union
Horizon Eyecare Professionals
Jaguar Communications
J-C Press
Jensen Agency
Josten’s
Kids Korner Educare Center
Larson Allen
Mayo Clinic Health System
MMP
Owatonna Public Library
Owatonna Area Chamber of
Commerce & Tourism
Owatonna Christian School
Owatonna Ford – Chrysler
Owatonna Hospital
Owatonna People’s Press
Owatonna Public Schools
Owatonna Public Utilities
Parent Provider Connection
Patton, Hoversten & Berg, P.A.
Pearson
Profinium Financial Group
Prudential Advantage Realty
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Riverland Community College
South Central Technical College
Southeastern Minnesota
Initiative Foundation
Spherion
SPX Corporation
St. John Lutheran Church
St. Mary’s Catholic Schools
State Farm-Plemel Insurance
Agency, Inc.
Steele County Clothesline, Inc.
Steele County Government
Technology Navigators, Inc.
The Mill Street House
Third Judicial District
Public Defender
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
TPS Insurance Agency
Tri M Graphics
Truth Hardware
United Methodist Church
United Prairie Bank
United Way of Steele County
University of St. Thomas
US Bank
Viracon, Inc.
Welker Custom Homes, Inc.
Wells Fargo Bank
Wenger Corporation
Leaders aren’t born, they are made.
And they are made just like anything else,
through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll
have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal.
Vince Lombardi