Hector Martinez, Angie Barrie, Meghan Altimore and Charlie Bush, Class of 2008
History
Leadership Eastside was envisioned by Advance Bellevue (AB) and Leadership Institute (LI), two Eastside organizations that foresaw the need for a holistic view of our region. During a year-long process in 2003 stakeholders representing all sectors of the Eastside provided input on creating a new organization that would develop and strengthen leaders to help drive toward regional solutions. A Task Force representing AB, LI and the community facilitated this community discussion. AB and LI dissolved in 2004 to make way for LE; the task to define implement the new organization was handed off to a transition board, which in turn created the Leadership Eastside Board of Directors in October 2004, bringing the community's vision to reality.
Here's what the Task Force learned as they talked to the community throughout 2003:
- Making connections with active leaders in the community is of paramount importance.
- The core curricular elements (issues awareness, skill enhancement, personal development and team project) are still relevant.
- "One size does not fit all"-therefore programming should be flexible and varied for participants.
- The curriculum and composition of the class must reflect the changing demographics of the Greater Eastside.
Collaboration between Leadership Institute and Advance Bellevue was timely and necessary in order to improve the reach of a community leadership organization within the business, political, governmental, non-profit and ethnic communities of the Eastside.
Leadership Eastside Milestones
Winter 2003 — Eastside community leaders engage in an intensive year-long visioning process around a new leadership program model.
Spring 2003 — Leadership Institute graduates its 12th and final class of students.
Winter 2004 — Eastside Leadership Task Force Report issued recommending a single regional leadership program for the Eastside. Transition team begins Leadership Eastside incorporation and organization building process.
Spring 2004 — Advance Bellevue graduates its 11th and final class of students and engaged Langton Spieth LLC to provide organization development and start-up support.
Summer 2004 — Community fundraising and board development.
Fall 2004 — Transition leadership team turns the organization over to the new Leadership Eastside Board. Program development continues.
March 16, 2005 — Public launch of Leadership Eastside. Community leaders convene to identify key regional concerns and issues for the first year class.
March 1 - April 29, 2005 — Leadership Eastside inaugural Class of 2008 applications accepted.
June 1, 2005 — Applicants notified of the status of their application.
June 23, 2005 — Class of 2008 Orientation
September 22 and 23, 2005 — Community Connections Issues Forum, Eastside Mayor's Panel and Opening Retreat
October 2005 through May 2006 — Monthly leader day seminars
June 2006 — Year One Ceremony for Inaugural Class of 2008