LEADERSHIP SAN JUAN ISLANDS (LSJI) was founded in 2004 and over the past 19 years, we have hosted sixteen Cohorts, educating and motivating community members interested in developing their professional leadership skills and facilitating their learning about issues affecting San Juan County.
On April 30, 2004, a handful of civic-minded islanders gathered to develop a program that would increase our community’s ability to govern itself as it responds to 21st-century opportunities and challenges. Modeling the course after leadership programs offered throughout the country, the founders established Leadership San Juan Islands with the ambitious goal of ensuring that the future of the islands will be decided in the islands.
Since that first meeting, LSJI has welcomed into the ranks of its alumni more than 220 islanders who continue to contribute their time and energy to benefit the welfare of our community. Every fall a new cohort was chosen, and they spent the following winter and spring together with faculty, community leaders, and resource people to develop their leadership skills.
Participants in LSJI programs come from all walks of life, are of all ages, and are rich in different experiences. LSJI strives to reflect the diversity of the islands, the wide spectrum of economic and social sectors found in the islands, and the variety of personal and professional endeavors. Program participants are typically employed in some direct service, agriculture, nonprofit or management occupations. LSJI seeks to draw participants involved in government, nonprofit, cultural, agriculture, and business sectors.
Our “place-based” program ended in 2021 as COVID-19 presented challenges for “in-person” learning. We have also been impacted by more limited alumni faculty involvement and continuing challenges with consistent ferry service to Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Islands. We rely on technology to continue stewarding our community of alumni and connecting with community leaders through our Chambers of Commerce.
In February 2024, we will launch a Peer-to-Peer Leadership Network, initially focusing on San Juan Island. Our intention is to engage across our County, as time and resources permit. We see the Peer-to-Peer Network as a way for local leaders to become more effective and engaged in sharing their work, resources, experiences and connecting with others.
We define Leadership as the ability to inspire others to achieve a common goal, the outcome of which is greater than what they would have otherwise been able to accomplish.
Our focus is on Servant Leadership. “A servant-leader focuses primarily on the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong. While traditional leadership generally involves the accumulation and exercise of power by one at the “top of the pyramid,” servant leadership is different. The servant-leader shares power, puts the needs of others first and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible.” - Robert Greenleaf
A bioregional lens focusing on:
Economy
Education
Environment
Governance
Health & Human Services
Art, History & Culture
Community Engagement