Information provided by San Benito Leadership Institute. Lea este articulo en español aquí.
This fall, the San Benito County community will welcome the debut of the San Benito Leadership Institute (SBLI), a program designed to empower emerging leaders in the county.
SBLI is a collaborative effort with initial funding support from the Community Foundation for San Benito County. It aims to equip individuals with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to address the challenges within our community and create positive change.
Through a hands-on approach and practical learning experiences, SBLI seeks to foster leadership qualities in participants, enabling them to make meaningful contributions to San Benito County’s future.
Effective leadership is integral to every community, institution, organization and even family. Although it is commonly believed that great leaders are born and not made, the opposite is actually true. Great leaders are made by harnessing the wisdom from lessons in life, accessing the expertise of others, and actively seeking to better themselves through ongoing education and continued lessons in the “school of life” so they can be of better service to their constituency, whatever that may be. According to Rochelle Callis, a former nonprofit leader and alumna of San Benito Leadership, the program broadened her knowledge and connected her with the community,
“Leadership San Benito County expanded my personal knowledge and introduced me to the community, while also helping me establish valuable connections. On a professional level, it was crucial in integrating me into the town, creating friendships, and uncovering opportunities for meaningful involvement with service organizations. This program sparked my civic engagement, leading me to become the President of Hollister Rotary. The educational sessions enhanced my leadership skills significantly, making a lasting impression”.
The newly formed San Benito Community Leadership Committee has been working behind the scenes for over a year with the goal of establishing a new adult leadership program to serve San Benito County. This nine-month program will feature monthly meetings covering civic topics and issues, leadership and board member skills development, diversity, equity, and inclusion principles, while also addressing the “whole person” with exercises to develop greater self-awareness, stress management, and optimal mental health. The program aspires to grow local leaders for the various needs in our community that are competent, compassionate, and knowledgeable, while also possessing the skills to effectively lead in all situations.
Program Participant Outcomes:
Conflict management
Leadership style awareness
DEI competencies
Stress & workload management
Leadership skills development
Broad community connections and professional network growth
“We are thrilled to announce the launch of the San Benito Leadership Institute,” said Rosie Betanio, Chairperson of the San Benito Leadership Program Committee and a Captain at the Hollister Police Department. “This initiative represents a collective commitment to investing in the development of our local talent and strengthening the fabric of our community. We believe that by nurturing and empowering emerging leaders, we can create a brighter future for San Benito County.
Key highlights of the SBLI program will include:
Rigorous curriculum focusing on leadership development, strategic thinking, and community engagement.
Engaging workshops, seminars, and networking events facilitated by industry experts and community leaders.
Mentorship opportunities providing guidance and support for personal and professional growth.
Hands-on projects and initiatives aimed at addressing real-world challenges facing San Benito County.
The inaugural cohort of SBLI is now open for applications, with sessions scheduled to commence in September 2024. Participants from diverse backgrounds and industries are encouraged to apply and embark on this transformative leadership journey.
For more information about the San Benito Leadership Institute and to be notified when the application for the program is open, share your interest on this form:
https://forms.gle/HsnfC4AiaGkizmyn7. Stay up to date by following them on
Instagram @sanbenitoleadership and Facebook at San Benito Leadership Institute.
Program Founding Sponsors include:
The L/G Anderson Family
Foundation
Dr. Apaydin
Cal Mutual Insurance
Charles River Labs
Church Bros. Farms
City of Hollister
City of San Juan Bautista
Corbin Pacific Inc.
Irene & Ted Davis
Felice Consulting Services
Kay Filice
Graniterock
Heritage Bank of
Commerce
Shawn Herrera Foundation
Hughes Family Fund
K & S Properties
Liz Talbot & John
Freiermuth
McCullough Family Fund
SSB Construction
Valkyrie Construction
Women’s Fund
Contact:
Brenda Weatherly
Program Manager
San Benito Leadership Institute
sanbenitoleadership@gmail.com