Leadership San Juan Islands open house Oct. 14

Submitted by Leadership San Juan Islands

Leadership San Juan Islands is pleased to announce the new LSJI dates for its 2020 session, which will begin Jan. 3, and run through May 15, 2020. Three informational open houses will be held on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Island in October. The public is welcome to these free open houses, no reservations needed.

The LSJI 2020 application form is available now at www.lsji.com. Scholarships are available.

Please join us for your island’s LSJI open house. Whether you are interested in attending LSJI or have a friend who might be, you are welcome to attend. LSJI Alumni are encouraged to attend to share experiences that inspire candidates to make the commitment to take part in LSJI and contribute to the health of our community.

LSJI Open House Dates:

Lopez Island: 4:30-6:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 7, Grace Episcopal Church Parish Hall.

San Juan Island: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 14, Steve Hushebeck’s home, 285 Geneste St., Friday Harbor.

Orcas Island: 4:30-6:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 21, Orcas Food Co-op, second-floor meeting room.

Do you know of an LSJI candidate? Let them know about LSJI and about our open houses. They will thank you! Find the 2020 application form and more information at www.lsji.org.

LSJI is a countywide tuition-based program designed to educate and motivate community members interested in developing their professional leadership skills and to facilitate their learning about issues affecting San Juan County. On April 30, 2004, a handful of civic-minded islanders gathered to found 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.”

Each year, a cohort of about 15 graduates completes a professional development program comprising 11 days across Orcas, Lopez and San Juan islands, studying the government, ecology, economics, arts, history and social services of the islands. Students develop their leadership and public speaking skills and delve into some of the important issues facing our island archipelago. Students also earn course credit with Skagit Valley College.

For more information about how to get involved with LSJI, visit www.lsji.org.