Leadership San Juan Islands will host three open houses this month to recruit current and aspiring leaders for the Class of 2009.

LSJI seeks candidates from all sectors of the community, from businesses and non-profits, to education and government. Alumni from LSJI Classes 2005-08 are also invited to the open houses, as well as graduates of other leadership programs held around the country who now live and/or work in the San Juans.

The open houses are scheduled Oct. 14, 5-7 p.m. at Skagit Valley College in Friday Harbor; Oct. 19, 1-3 p.m. at Heartwood House on Orcas Island (70 Langell Lane near Eastsound); and Oct. 21, 4:30-6 p.m. at the Lopez Library, Lopez Island.

San Juan County, like many communities across the country, is taking the initiative to develop its own network of home-grown leaders through LSJI. 2009 will mark its fifth year of seminars designed to educate and motivate the islands’ current and aspiring leaders of today and tomorrow.

LSJI is searching for adults who would like to develop their professional leadership skills while learning more about issues facing the San Juan Islands within our “systems” of governance, education, economics, environment, social/community health and history/culture. A total of six Friday “challenge days,” plus two weekend retreats, will be held January through May 2009.

Applicants must be capable of communicating via e-mail and be prepared to commit to a significant public service project upon graduation. Sponsors include Skagit Valley College and the San Juan County Economic Development Council.

Deadline for applications is Nov. 7. For more information or to download an application, visit www.leadershipsanjuanislands.org or call Cynthia Stark-Wickman, program coordinator, 378-9683 or 370-5470 (evenings).