18 Years of LT

February 25, 2006

Over the years I’ve been called many things by many people, but when it comes to LT--- I have been known as a cheerleader. 

LEADERSHIP TOMORROW
9 workshops more than 50 meals about 150 hrs over 200 speakers 500 volunteer hrs
For an EDUCATION, the EXPOSURE and an EXPERIENCE of a lifetime.

Of all the acknowledgments for my community involvement over the past 20 years, this means the most to me. For 18 years, Leadership tomorrow has been a priority in my life. in Irvine, Newport Beach and now Costa Mesa, the one organization that has remained constant in my service, is Leadership Tomorrow. I got my leadership start in Irvine when I responded to an ad in the Irvine World News and received three scholarships to attend the program; my leadership abilities were challenged when we moved to Newport Beach and now we are rooted in Costa Mesa where being a political junkie is sometimes like a really bad drug habit that’s impossible to kick. In two of these cities I have been approached and considered running for office (ok so one of them is NOT Newport Beach-it was either my political leanings or else there was never an appointment available for a council seat).

But for me the bottom line is always servant leadership first.

Jonathan, my son, who will enter law school in the fall, is here from USC tonight.
Jacob, our son who will be entering high school at CdM in the fall is here,
and my husband. Ah, Dennis. Many of you know my Back Bay/Monte Vista Teacher, mensch husband. But did you know that when he asked me to marry him nine years ago I said yes with one caveat, that he agree to participate in the LT program? Of course, both happened!

Over the years, LT has provided me with exposure and access to hundreds of leaders and leadership styles.

For example, during the Water trip… it’s very interesting…Still water runs deep, so is the leadership style of those calm & quiet types like Jim Atkinson or Diana Leach

On Transportation day your meet visionary leaders and the dreamers like that of tunnel vision Bill Vardoulis.

We’ve seen fellow LTers become city council members like Heather Somers, Gary Adams and Jan Debay, school board members like Tom Egan, commissioners like Tim Brown.

LT is made up of step to the table and just do it leadership like Advisory Board Member Paul Snyder, or just remember this is only a volunteer job… Trudy Naiman, to Alums who have you can always count on for support like Greg Kelley or Nancy Beverage.

LT is about relationship building and making friends – friends for many years like Nancy Clark or new irreplaceable friends like Vikki Beatley. You just never know with LT!

And, while I may not have the distinction of the oldest living LT alum, that goes to my classmate Anne Hogan Sherevshesky, I am LT’s biggest fan and advocate. And speaking of that…, tonight I have several friends here I want to see apply for LT class of 07 – Luciana Pujo, Ginny Stockus, so recruitment chair, look for these faces in the crowd.