Enjoying the relaxing setting of the Seabeck Conference Center
The Leadership Kitsap Class of 2016 began their leadership journey with a two-day retreat at the Seabeck Conference Center on September 11 and 12, 2015. Leadership Kitsap Founding President Douglas Berger led off the retreat with a brief history of the organization and our inspiring beginnings. Dr. Sandra Cross (LK10), set the stage for the rest of the weekend with an introduction to the values, purpose, and role of servant leadership in the community. Retired South Kitsap Fire and Rescue Chief and current Executive Director of Washington Fire Chiefs, Wayne Senter, infused a perfect mix of education and entertainment in his two-part presentation on situational leadership. Board Member Dr. Nick Wyatt (LK13) gave a presentation introducing Positive Leadership as LK’s core curriculum.
Meisha Rouser (LK12) lead the class in a series of team building activities throughout the afternoon which included hilarious skits depicting the unwanted behaviors of poor team members. Meisha and Board Member Tom Jacobs (LK12) debriefed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment designed to measure psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions. We also enjoyed a panel discussion of community leaders who benefited from previous LK projects. Kitsap County Undersheriff John Gese (LK04) shared how the Pills Kill (LK13) project benefited the community and the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Department. Emily Meeks, Executive Director of The Arc of Kitsap and Jefferson Counties shared how working with LK “ARCheologists” (LK14) has had and ongoing positive impact on her organization. Naomi Nichols, President Kitsap Foster Care Association, shared specifics of how her organization worked with last year’s “Fostering the Kitsap Family” (LK15) project. Eli Oldfield, Q Center of Bremerton, spoke about their partnership with LK’s Team “Aspire 2 Inspire” Camp Q project (LK15) and the project’s sustainability. The evening was capped off with spirits, snacks, and an activity crafted to learn more about each other.
Project Co-Chairs Dedra Miller & Deborah Welsh reviewing project guidelines
On the second day of the retreat, Dr. Jim Mohr (LK15), Olympic College Dean of Student Development, engaged the class in a meaningful discussion around the five approaches to building cultural competence. Tom Jacobs returned to introduce the class to strengths based leadership, a concept that will be further explored during our Leadership Development challenge day. The day concluded with a thorough overview of the LK project guidelines with project co-chairs Dedra Miller (LK15), Jim Mohr (LK15), and Deborah Welsh (LK15). Past project boards were on display for the class to view.
During the Opening Retreat, the class learned the general principles of servant leadership, class bonding was fostered, and everyone had a better understanding of themselves and their teammates. Everyone left feeling inspired and energized.
Thank you to our Opening Retreat Sponsor: Kitsap Credit Union.