ALEXANDRIA — Leadership Alexandria gives the community the longest running leadership program in the state.
Each year, 24-25 people from all sectors of the community participate and it always culminates in a large community service project.
“(This project) needs to be a one-time deal or something that can be handed off to another organization so that it can continue,” said Tara Bitzan, executive director of the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, which oversees Leadership Alexandria.
“We can raise money to buy new playground equipment for a park or one-time donations to nonprofits, but we can't raise money to develop new community service programs that require ongoing funding to operate,” Bitzan said.
When we do actually complete a project, it will be strictly in class.
“They're the people that make it happen,” Bitzan said.
Bitzan said classes typically last about nine months from start to the end of the final project, which usually ends in April.
The Chamber is currently accepting applications for its 32nd class, which begins in September. Applications will be accepted until June 1st.
“Leadership Alexandria is often thought of as a course for up-and-coming young leaders, but that's not the case,” Bitzan says. “We have people on the course who are in their 20s to their 60s. We have a wide variety of industries and careers. Some have lived here their whole lives, and some are new to the area.”
“It's a really interesting group of people, and I think that's what makes it so powerful and unique — the different social capital you get from spending nine months with these people,” she said.
For more information about Leadership Alexandria or to apply for the 2024-2025 class, visit www.alexandriamn.org/leadershipalex.html
Travis Gulbrandson covers several areas including the Osakis Board of Education, Osakis City Council and the Brandon-Evansville Board of Education, and also focuses on crime and court news.
