A Community-Based
Leadership Program
LEADERSHIP AUSTIN
What is LEADERSHIP Austin?
LEADERSHIP Austin is a community leadership program which provides participants an intense look at the business, agriculture,
politics, education, quality of life, health care, human services, public safety and diversity of our community. The program is designed
as an educational opportunity that enables participants to learn about this area’s resources, values, strengths, weaknesses, and challenges.
The intent is to motivate and encourage participants to assume individual leadership roles in community affairs. Participants create
strong relationships to encourage their future involvement and collaboration in addressing the region’s challenges.
Who should apply?
Ideal candidates for LEADERSHIP Austin are individuals who:
Austin Area Chamber of Commerce
329 North Main Street, Suite 102
Austin, MN 55912
• are highly motivated to serve their community and have a passion to make a difference
• want to cultivate relationships with a network of other community leaders, for both personal and professional benefit
• have demonstrated community involvement
• represent various sectors of the community: business, industry, education, public and private agencies, civic groups and other
facets of the community
What is the time commitment involved?
LEADERSHIP Austin consists of nine sessions the 2nd Thursday of every month. Participation in the program requires a serious
commitment of time and energy. Participants meet for a full day each month, meeting September through May. In addition, a threehour evening kickoff event is held in August. See the website for specific dates: www.riverland.edu/communityleadership or
www.austincoc.com
Selected applicants will be expected to meet the following commitments:
• attend all program sessions
• arrive on time and attend the entirety of each session
• submit a final portfolio and give a 10 minute presentation at May graduation
Where will program sessions be held?
This localized program was designed by the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with Riverland Community College
and its Customized Training and Education division. All sessions are facilitated locally and are held at a different location each month.
How: A series of intense thematic seminars conducted by local and regionally known professionals. The bulk of the instructional staff
is drawn from volunteers in the community and area.
Dr. Adenuga Atewologun
College President
Riverland Community College
1900 8th Avenue NW
Austin, MN 55912
Sandy Forstner, Executive Director
Austin Area Chamber of Commerce
329 North Main Street, Suite 102
Austin, MN 55912
LEADERSHIP Austin
Community Leadership Program
How do I apply for LEADERSHIP Austin? Contact the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce, 329 North Main Street, 437-4561,
or apply online at www.austincoc.com or www.riverland.edu/communityleadership
2016-17
Provided by the Austin Area Chamber of
Commerce and Riverland Community College
What is the tuition cost? Tuition for LEADERSHIP Austin is $699. Tuition is payable at the time a participant is accepted to the
program and must be received prior to the August Kickoff session. Scholarship opportunities are available.
When are applications due?
Applications must be received by June 13, 2016.
Who will review the applications?
A selection committee will review the applications and select the participants for LEADERSHIP Austin.
When will I find out if I’ve been selected?
A notification letter will be mailed to all applicants by the end of June 2016.
PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIALS
SHERRY SCHIED, US BANK
“Before this program started I was told I would learn things
about this town that are surprising even to those who have
lived here their whole lives. They were right. But mostly I
learned a lot about myself and this good group of people. “
HOLLY JOHNSON, HORMEL HISTORIC HOME
“My time in Leadership Austin changed me personally and
professionally. I learned more about our town and its leaders,
but I also gained confidence that I can be a contributing leader
in a variety of ways using my unique characteristics. “
SUE STARK, AUSTIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Leadership Austin is a fantastic adventure. During this
year of learning I have gained confidence in my skills, I
made connections with my classmates and throughout our
community and I was able to explore this community that I
have lived my entire life in a deeper level. I would recommend
this experience.”
MARK JOHNSON, COOPERATIVE RESPONSE CENTER, INC.
“Leadership Austin provided insights about myself and my
community that I did not know prior to the experience. There are
things that I learned that I have already applied. The commitment
of the Day Leaders was evident at every session and their
passion was infectious. I highly recommend to anyone that has
the opportunity to participate to jump at the chance.”
GRAHAM FRIE, MAYO CLINIC HEALTH SYSTEM
“As someone who is not originally from Southern MN and
lives outside of Austin I found this course to be incredibly
beneficial. My job requires me to be knowledgeable about
the community and make connections with local business
leaders so I found the networking aspect of this program to
be very valuable. The program is well organized and I would
highly recommend it to anyone new to the community!”
2016-2017
CALENDAR
AUGUST 18
Program Kickoff
SEPTEMBER 8
Community
Leadership Day
OCTOBER 13
Education Day
NOVEMBER 10
Quality of Life
& Diversity Day
DECEMBER 8
Government Day
JANUARY 12
Business & Economic
Development Day
FEBRUARY 9
Community
Health Services Day
MARCH 9
Public Safety Day
APRIL 13
Agriculture &
Agribusiness Day
MAY 11
Graduation
THANK YOU
The Austin Chamber of Commerce and Riverland
Community College would like to acknowledge and
thank the following organizations for their support
of the community leadership program:
• Cedar Valley Services
• Hormel Historic Home
• Mayo Clinic Health System
- Albert Lea & Austin
• Quality Pork Processors, Inc.
• City of Austin
• Austin Public Library
• Bremer Bank
• Kwik Trip
• Austin Public Schools
• Leadership Development
Resources
• Austin Community
Education
• Hormel Foods Corporation
• Austin Area Chamber
of Commerce
• Habitat for Humanity
• Primrose Retirement
Community
• First Farmers &
Merchants State Bank
• IBI Data
• Cooperative Response
Center, Inc.
• Austin Police Department
• The Hormel Foundation
• Austin Public Library
Special thanks to our program sponsors:
EMPLOYER TESTIMONIALS
DAVID M. KRENZ, AUSTIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
“I would say that as a district we have benefited greatly from
the participation of staff in the LEADERSHIP Austin program.
Our participants have found the connections they have made
to their cohort invaluable, information about the community
insightful and the opportunity to share Austin Public Schools’
mission and vision with others rewarding.”
ROD NORDENG, MAYO CLINIC HEALTH SYSTEM - AUSTIN
“Mayo Clinic Health System - Austin has incorporated
Leadership Austin into its leadership development program
for its managers. Since the first offering in 2006, 20 managers
have participated in the program. The program is equally
beneficial to the manager new to our Austin Community or
for those who grew up in Austin. Leadership Austin is a cost
effective educational program that will benefit participants
and their sponsoring organizations for years to come.”
RANDY KRUG, HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION
“Leadership Austin is effective in motivating and preparing
current and future community leaders. Recently, Hormel
graduates of the program have expanded into new community
leadership roles with organizations such as the United Way,
Mower County Humane Society and YMCA. Hormel recognizes
the importance of investing in the community. Hormel is proud
to sponsor a group of employees each year who are currently
involved in the community and desire to lead at a higher level.
Leadership Austin graduates, sponsored by Hormel, frequently
tell us they feel the company really cares about the community
and is working through them to help make it a better place to live.”
STEVE DRENNAN, FIRST FARMERS & MERCHANTS STATE BANK
“We’ve had one of our managers participate in Leadership Austin
almost every year. They gain valuable information and contacts
within the community, and always return a better employee.”
APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
ONLINE OR BY CONTACTING:
Austin Area Chamber of Commerce
329 North Main Street, Suite 102
Austin, MN 55912
507-437-4561
Applications
www.austincoc.com
are due
June 13, 2016
Riverland Community College
1900 8th Avenue NW
Austin, MN 55912
www.riverland.edu/communityleadership
I needed to be part of a
family and part of a community
that needed me as much as
I needed them – someone to
say ‘Lend a hand on this.’
George A. Hormel,
from his unpublished autobiography
Three Men and a Business