Developing leadership though community connections
By Kerryn Vaughan
1st March 2022
This week I attended a special night for an esteemed leadership program very close to my heart.
As the 2021 cohort graduated, the 2022 cohort commenced. Average, everyday people who believe they can make a difference in their community and who are courageous enough to step up to the plate even though they’ve heard it can be a challenging year. That’s leadership right there, before they’ve even begun the program.
I sat perched forward in my chair, excited as each new participant was called to the front, none of them wanting to make a scene or power themselves to the front of the crowd. But they will change, and grow, and they will become vocal leaders. They will place themselves in positions to speak up even when they are shaking in their boots.
How do I know this? Because that’s what happens every year, and that is the incredible and invaluable power of a great leadership program.
It was also the night where last year’s participants bid farewell, but not before proudly presenting the community projects they completed.
An incredible garden and landscaped area for survivors of family violence.
An online platform for donors to give so people experiencing homelessness can obtain phone credit to stay connected to people and services.
A coffee table book sharing the stories of those severely impacted by the recent bushfires.
An online event to celebrate diversity in the community as well as raise awareness and provide strategies to engage and include those who might otherwise feel excluded or overlooked.
A review of the accessibility of the Leadership Program, and how more people with disabilities could be included.
While my descriptions of these projects is only a brief overview, the complexity and level of work and commitment to achieve these projects deserves a lot more than my few words.
While I am bestowed the honour of helping the groups brainstorm project ideas and Get Off The Bench, I am only one of many. The entire year is jam-packed with incredible facilitators who bring everything they’ve got to make this a success. Not to mention the tireless commitment of the program director and his amazing wing woman.
Also, to know that hundreds of people are going to reap the benefits of these projects makes my heart sing like nothing I can describe.
Serving others brings so much joy, and escalates leadership skills in an instant.
Two years ago I had my Community Connect program ready to go but shelved it because of Covid. Was that the right decision? I’ll never know. But what I do know is that it’s back with full gusto and is available to any organisation who is ready to create and build community connections through projects, while simultaneously providing an opportunity for aspiring leaders to put their hand up and say ‘Yes, I want to make a difference’.
If you belong to an organisation that’s looking to step up and be a leader in this space, connect with me.
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Do what you love, back yourself, and above all else - be kind!
Kerryn Vaughan is the author of ‘Magnificent Kids!’ and ‘Get Off The Bench!’, founder of One Planet Classrooms, co-founder of Girls With Hammers, and host of Get Off The Bench Podcast.
Kerryn is also a DISC ADVANCED® accredited consultant.