Released Oct. 4, 2007

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. - The theme for this year´s Kansas PRIDE Day was "Ownership of Leadership." Yet, keynote speaker Ed O'Malley, director of the Kansas Leadership Center, posed this question: "Who will engage in community when you don't?"

"True leadership involves action. It's something you do, rather than a position you hold," he said.

Communities typically have a familiar group of volunteers. Even so, getting others involved is critical, said O´Malley, who offered four tips for building a community of volunteers:

1. Frame the issue as a shared concern. For example, if a new swimming pool is the goal, focus on its being healthy recreation for the whole community, rather than just a place to keep children occupied.

2. Find a way to include everyone's perspective. Doing some homework on the health benefits of recreation could be one example.

3. Define the needed process - and follow it.

4. To keep people engaged - and reach the community´s goal - be an advocate for the process, rather than the outcome.

The Kansas Leadership Center is based in Wichita, Kan. It is part of the Kansas Health Foundation´s efforts to promote health and healthy communities.

The Kansas PRIDE Program, Inc., is a citizen-based community development effort administered by Kansas State University and the Kansas Department of Commerce. Information about the program is available at county and district K-State Research and Extension offices, at http://www.kansasprideprogram.ksu.edu, from K-State specialists Dan Kahl and Connie Hoch (785-532-5840), and from DOC representatives Jeanne Stinson and JR Robl (785-296-3487).

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http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/news/

Contact: Mary Lou Peter-Blecha, mlpeter@ksu.edu