The History of Our Program
The Mission of Leadership Nebraska is to identify, educate, communicate with, inspire and engage Nebraska's current and emerging leaders for the well being of the state of Nebraska.
A planning committee to explore the feasibility of a statewide leadership development program met on November 22, 2005. The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry will be the sponsoring organization for Leadership Nebraska. The State Chamber’s Articles of Incorporation contains language that would encompass a Leadership Nebraska program into its program of work. Under Article III, there are two sections providing language in support of a Leadership Program. Section (a) reads: To promote the general welfare of the people of Nebraska; and section (e) notes: To cooperate in a non-partisan manner toward the better development of Nebraska commerce and industry and beneficial and cordial relations between commerce and industry, government agencies, employers, employees and the public with due regard for the rights and duties of all.
According to the State Chamber’s bylaws, the Chairman may name a Council for the purposes of Leadership development, with the approval of the Board. The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce Executives have already agreed to cooperate and support the concept of a Leadership Nebraska program. Similar programs are in existence in 29 other states. The State Chamber Board created the Leadership Nebraska Council on February 2, 2006, at its meeting, and Chairman Bailey named Bob Harris as Chairman. The State Chamber is beginning the process of creating a 501(c)(3) foundation to operate The State Chamber’s Leadership Nebraska. Until then, the State Chamber has designated a fund agreement between itself and the Nebraska Community Foundation, Inc., to establish the Leadership Nebraska Foundation Fund. We have obtained domain for the LeadershipNebrsaka.com website.
As far as the format of the program, members of the planning committee agreed that the focus would be on leadership development by advancing candidates’ leadership qualities and broadening their understanding of and involvement in issues and opportunities facing our state. The program is aimed at persons who have demonstrated community and professional leadership experiences. We plan to offer six 1½-day to 2-day sessions per year that would give class members an opportunity to develop and hone leadership skills and gain a broader understanding of issues facing Nebraska, with a focus on issues in topical areas such as: Economic Development, Workforce Development and Education, Agriculture/Environment, Government/Politics, and Health/Human Services. Participants learn about the critical issues in these areas through discussions with top officials of the state, professionals in the areas, field trips and experiential activities. The program cultivates a network of citizens with diverse backgrounds and experiences who represent the many geographic areas of the State. Each session would be in a different community across the state, coordinating with community leaders on dates and topics.
We envision the program having Sessions held beginning in February of 2007 and concluding in October. Ideally, the initial classes would be made up of graduates of Nebraska’s many local leadership development programs, and would be nominated by those programs. We are surveying local chambers to determine how many such programs exist in Nebraska. In addition, we have developed contacts with many Nebraska Leadership programs, as well as the University’s LEAD program. We have also contacted the Community Leadership Association (CLA) and have become a member. An ad hoc group of statewide leadership programs also exists and we have initiated contact with them as well. They have an annual meeting each fall.
We believe the creation of a statewide leadership program is a natural next step for graduates of community-based programs. In addition, a statewide program lends itself to coordination and communication with the local leadership programs. As in similar state and local programs, success can be measured by continued regular contact with graduates and alumni as they continue to grow and develop their skills.
