For more information contact:
Earl Bricker, University of Illinois Extension,
330 S. 36th St, Quincy, IL 62301
Phone: 217-223-8380; fax: 217-223-9368
This release has also been sent via email to
those media for which we have an email
address. If you did not receive this release in
that way and would like to in the future, send
a message to that effect to dbricker@uiuc.edu.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 2, 2006
Kill Date: 1/26/07
GREAT LEADERS MAKE GREAT COMMUNITIES!
Are you interested in getting more involved in your community? Or do you have staff,
co-workers, family or friends you would like to nurture by sending them to local training that
will benefit your organization?
For the past eleven years, the Western Illinois Leadership Academy (WILA) has been
bringing together motivated individuals who want to improve their leadership skills and
knowledge of important community issues. Designed for people who live and/or work in the
Illinois counties of Adams, Brown, Hancock or Pike, the program structures a system for
participants to learn from – and communicate with – current leaders from all sectors of the
community. Participants acquire a broad understanding of the complex issues and tasks facing
them as leaders, sharpen their leadership skills, and build relationships necessary to resolve the
challenges ahead. As a result of the regional approach, an additional outcome is future leaders
knowing their counterparts in areas outside of their own community, and even their own county.
Beginning on Friday, February 2, and continuing on alternating Fridays through April 27,
WILA will consist of tailored seminars that blend discussion of major issues important to rural
communities with presentations on skills and tools useful for people in leadership roles. The biweekly sessions will occur from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and will be held at a different location
each time within the collaborating counties. In addition to the scheduled Fridays, participants
will attend two related events taking place – a workshop titled Economic Development for
Community Leaders, scheduled for February 27 in Camp Point, and the Tri-State Development
Summit scheduled for April 4 in Canton, Missouri. There will be guided readings and
discussions on leadership concepts and research, following a book written by a nationally known
expert on leadership issues and bringing in local resources, as well.
There is a $199 registration fee, which may be paid by the participant, or more often, by a
sponsoring employer or organization. The fee covers the program materials, snacks and lunch,
and a culminating graduation event. The fee may be paid in installments.
WILA is a result of organizations working together: Rural Adams Development
Corporation, Pike Economic Development Corporation, Adams Telephone Co-operative, Adams
Electric Cooperative, Great River Economic Development Foundation, Ursa Farmers
Cooperative, John Wood Community College, and University of Illinois Extension.
For more information or to request application materials call the University of Illinois
Extension - Adams/Brown office at 217-223-8380 or email dbricker@uiuc.edu. Information
about WILA is also available on the Internet at http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/adams.
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