The Top 5 challenges facing community leaders, according to participants at the 2nd Annual Wisconsin Community Leadership Summit, are:

1. Motivation - "lighting the fire of passion" for people to volunteer in community activities.
2. Money - dealing with program and budget cuts, and attracting new sources.
3. Leadership Development - creating and supporting new leaders and youth leaders.
4. Local Capacity - understanding community development; creating local solutions and vitality.
5. Economy - helping develop new ideas and new businesses.

April 19 & 20, 2004. 172 community leaders from 78 communities in 48 counties across Wisconsin and beyond attended the 2nd Annual Wisconsin Community Leadership Summit at the Hotel Mead in Wisconsin Rapids.

Sponsored by 20 agencies, corporations and organizations who support quality professional development and networking opportunities for elected, business, civic and volunteer community leaders, the 2nd Annual Summit provided participants with more than 90 sessions to enhance their personal and professional skills, share resources and information, build partnerships and integrate programs, and recognize outstanding leadership.

Highlights of the Summit include:

"Energizing the Human Spirit through High Performing Teams," keynote address by UW Extension Dean and Director Arlen Leholm

28 breakout workshops on successful community models and skill development

Top Rural Development Initiatives and Wisconsin Community Leadership Awards Programs

Sixty "Learning Station" presentations for sharing a program, practice or tool

"The Transcendent Leadership Paradigm" keynote address by U.S. Army trainer Heath Dickinson

"Building Camelot" role-playing plenary workshop for building leadership networks across Wisconsin

Lots of good food and great networking!

See documents at right for details.

Click here to view a slideshow of photos from the 1st Annual Wisconsin Community Leadership Summit. [PDF file, 2.6 MB]