San Luis Obispo Business
March, 2000

Class IX begins Leadership Experience

Leadership SLO– Class IX Thirty-six local men and women devoted to building a better community have taken their first steps toward becoming the leaders of tomorrow. Members of Leadership San Luis Obispo Class IX gathered in January for a two-day retreat at Wonder Valley Ranch in Sanger and had their first all-day working session in February, featuring government and the political process.

Now in its ninth year, Leadership San Luis Obispo continues to encourage ethnic, geographic and gender diversity. This year's represents a diverse cross-section of San Luis Obispo County residents. Class members represent various cultures, backgrounds, economic conditions and ages. They are affiliated with large and small businesses, non-profits, agriculture, finance, education, engineering and governmental organizations to name a few.

Throughout the course of the year, members of Class IX will come together one day each month to explore the many components of a successful community. In addition to learning about government and the political process, participants will delve into topics such as business and economic development, education and diversity, media and communications, criminal and civil justice system and health and human needs.

Participants are encouraged to recognize their individual leadership styles and are taught basic leadership skills such as public speaking, consensus building and critical thinking. Members of this year's class will join close to 300 Leadership San Luis Obispo alumni when they graduate from the program in October.

The Leadership Program has enjoyed tremendous support throughout the county and is made possible through the generous financial support of its corporate sponsors: Unocal, Duke Energy, Leadership Class IV, Pacific Energy Company and Coastal Anesthesiology Medical Associates.

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