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Councilman Greg Stanton's
My Turn Column
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 14, 2002
Make your investment in leadership
We live in a time of change and challenge. Our state faces unprecedented debt. We have the highest dropout rate in the country. Our population continues to grow.
And we face these challenges at a time when state leadership is being overhauled. All the top elective officeholders will likely change after the November elections.
Arizona has been blessed with strong leadership. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Lorna Lockwood, Carl Hayden, Mo Udall, John Rhodes, Barry Goldwater and others who helped shape the state. These leaders put aside partisan differences to push an agenda in the best interest of Arizona. But it's one thing to wax nostalgic over historic leadership; it's another to look forward.
Who will lead us with vision and courage now and five or 10 years from now? More importantly, who will be working diligently behind the scenes - the unsung leaders?
There has been a great deal of discussion concerning leadership - from the Morrison Institute's report "Five Shoes Waiting to Drop" to the most recent Town Hall meeting. It's obvious we're at the crossroads. We must make a commitment to encourage and support emerging leadership, not only on the political landscape but within the institutions that make up the fabric of our community: the arts, nonprofits, schools and institutions of faith.
With the business community having to "mind their own store" more diligently during these rougher economic times, our resources of time and talent in the leadership pool are stretched thin.
But the Valley of the Sun means opportunity. This community is young and welcoming and provides a wide variety of leadership opportunities for newcomers.
I've seen people move here, rise to become leaders of their neighborhoods and single-handedly transform their community. Others have run for office out of frustration and hope. I was motivated to get involved on the Phoenix City Council because of my interest in public policy and passion for public service.
As we take time to reexamine how we can make a difference, I urge you to consider how you can contribute to your community. Kathleen Clark, Rick Dircks, Chris Hernandez and Carol Poore are names you won't often see in print or on news broadcasts, but they're all contributing in big and small ways -serving on nonprofit boards, engaging in critical work at the local chambers of commerce, mentoring kids and supporting education programs.
Some are already running their own companies, but I bet they'll be leading this community in a few short years. We need to include them at the table and to make certain there are more like them.
Rick and Carol and many others are playing a role in the Community Leadership Forum next Thursday. This day-long forum will provide a roadmap for community service and leadership.
It's a one-day investment that could change your life. Your leadership is needed now.
Greg Stanton is a Phoenix city councilman representing District 6. He is also a board member of Make A Difference and chairman of its Citizen Academy Advisory Board overseeing the Community Leadership Forum.
Councilman Greg Stanton
District 6
602-262-7491
greg.stanton@phoenix.gov
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