Leadership Corvallis alums and their guests are invited to stop by the Hilton Garden Inn beforehand for a no host reception.

Friday, January 17
5:00 p.m.

Let’s celebrate the accomplishments of our community’s civic volunteers, business leaders and individuals who are deeply committed to our community. Congratulations to those nominated for the 66th annual Celebrate Corvallis!

Twenty-nine area residents have been accepted into Leadership Corvallis, a 10-month program that equips citizens to take an active role in shaping community policy. Presentations, site tours and panel discussions educate participants about the institutions, agencies and processes that make Corvallis work.

The second Thursday of each month, participants gather for a daylong session covering one segment of community life in Corvallis in a curriculum keyed to Vision 2020, the city’s governing planning document.

This year’s curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including land-use planning, human services, health care, government and public services, education, economic vitality, natural resources, Corvallis culture and community leadership.

The Leadership Corvallis Class of 2014 includes:

Amanda Anderson, OSU University Conference Services
Xanthippe Augerot, Mary’s River Watershed Council
Justin Bazzano, Citizens Bank
Lindsay Briggs, Smith, Davison and Brasier, PC
Ligaya Di Cosmo, Samaritan Evergreen Hospice
Gretchen Dursch, OSU College of Public Health and Human Sciences
Alexandra Eder, Fernwood Circle Guest House
Joseph Elwood, The Reynolds Law Firm
John Faulconer, Faulconer Development LLC/Apex Realty
Simone Frei, OSU Linus Pauling Institute
Brandi Fuhrman, OSU Career Success Center
Netsie Griffith, Grace Lutheran Church
Chris Guempel, Encore Physical Therapy
Cortney Hall, Citizens Bank
Richelle Hayes, OSU Alumni Association
Mike Joki, Timberhill Physical Therapy
Krista Klinkhammer, OSU College of Business
Hilary Kovalchik, Benton Habitat for Humanity
Corrie Latimer, Love INC
Rick Osborn, Benton County
Eric Owen, Benton County Health Services
Lauri Richer, Samaritan Health Services
Cassidy Riordan, Corvallis Custom Kitchen & Baths
Chris Rochester, U.S. Dept of State (retired)
Donald Rogers, Benton County Sherrif’s Office
Shelly Signs, OSU University Events
Larry Symonds, Financial Adviser (retired)
Cassandra Truax, Hendrick & Kellison LLC
Karrie Wuerch, The Corvallis Clinic

by Curtis Wright, Class of 2007, President

This was a special year: our 20th Anniversary of Preparing Community Leaders.

In all the important ways, the year was much like those preceding it. The class was engaged and inspired. Our all-volunteer board, committees, day facilitation teams, and guest speakers continued to improve our program and strengthen our organization. We remain fiscally sound, and solidly positioned for the future.

This being our twentieth year, we did some special things to celebrate how far we’ve come, and reaffirm our commitment to promoting a dynamic, empowered community by preparing citizens for active participation and leadership.

• We introduced an updated logo (above), designed by Jeff Jimerson, Class of 2013. A clean and contemporary look, yet maintaining the symbolism readily recognizable as “Leadership Corvallis.”
• Todd Washington, Class of 2005, organized our anniversary year kickoff: “Leadership Corvallis Night at The Corvallis Knights,” a party for alumni, held on July 9, 2012. At the kickoff party, we introduced LC caps and LC tote bags for alumni.The LC tote bags were also given as thank you gifts to our class guest speakers, throughout this anniversary year.
• LC alumni participated in two anniversary year community service events: the United Way Day of Caring on September 21, 2012, and the Ag Expo Days on October 9-11, 2012.
• “Leadership Corvallis @20,” a retrospective written by Theresa Novak, Class of 2013, was included as part of the 2013 Yearbook.
• We expanded graduation to include a 20th Anniversary Gala on June 7, 2013. Coordinated by Committee Chairs Michelle Davis, Class of 2011
• Leadership Corvallis President’s Report for 2012-13, page 2 and Lacey McNeely, Class of 2010. The event was held at the Corvallis Country Club and included dining, dancing and general celebration. Alumni from most of the past 20 years were in attendance.

Download the full 2012-2013 President’s Report

The Leadership Corvallis Community Service Project Committee is looking for small-group volunteer opportunities for our Leadership Corvallis participants.

To apply:

• Submit your project by filling out our online form or
• Download the project proposal and submit via email to our Community Service Project Committee.

Part of the Leadership Corvallis experience is practicing community leadership in a volunteer setting through community service projects, so we are reaching out to local nonprofit and government agencies asking for proposals. Our goal is to provide class members with volunteer opportunities that will meet the immediate needs of local organizations.

Do you have a project idea, but not the bandwidth? Are you in need of outside-the-box creative thinking? Do you want to create an annual event, and need help getting it started? Are you looking for ways to increase the visibility of your organization?

Some things to keep in mind:

• Time commitment: We are asking each of our participants to commit to a minimum of 4 hours of volunteer time, but many will make themselves available for more.
• Number of volunteers: Ideally, your opportunity would engage 5 – 6 of our class members (our usual class size is 28), but other group sizes will be considered.
• Time frame: The project committee is able to work with you on a project starting in October and it must be completed by May.
• Fundraising: Class members should not be expected to fundraise or solicit as part of the project. If anyone chooses to do so, it is as a representative of your organization.
• Type of work: Our class members are professionals with a variety of work experience. Past class members have included experienced leaders with skills in facilitation, marketing, accounting, computing, teaching, event planning, healthcare and more. So if you have a professional issue you’d like some help addressing we may have the expertise to help. On the other hand, class members want to contribute wherever you need the most help and frequently enjoy physical work, so submit those types of projects as well.

To apply:

• Submit your project by filling out our online form or
• Download the project proposal and submit via email to our Community Service Project Committee.

Proposals must be received by August 15 for full consideration.

Other proposals submitted by August 22 may also be considered, depending on application volume. If you have more than one project or opportunity, please use a separate form for each. You may submit as many proposals as you’d like.

If your project is selected, we would like a liaison from your agency to join us the afternoon of the October class to introduce your organization, explain the project and answer any questions class participants may have.

This is an opportunity to introduce your organization to emerging leaders in the community. If you have any questions about this process, please feel free to contact us at LCCommService@gmail.com.

Leadership Corvallis is pleased to announce its new officers, and board of directors, for 2013-14, beginning July 1:

Officers:

• President: Curtis Wright, Corvallis enthusiast
• President-Elect: Scott Jackson, Undersheriff, Benton County
• Secretary: Stacy Mellem, policy/accreditation specialist, Benton County Sheriff’s Office
• Treasurer: Kristen Gose, partner, Anderson Group CPAs, LLC

Newly elected board members:

• Class Host: Deb Rose, president, Crestwave Consulting
• Curriculum Chair: Jeff Davis, regional director for LBCC, Benton Center
• Vision Chair: Roger Lizut, community volunteer
• Alumni Chair: Elizabeth Westland, owner, Van Buren Court Building
• PR Chair: Rebecca Badger, marketing manager, Oregon State University
• Graduation Chair: Carole Hobrock, director of sales, Corvallis Country Club
• Community Service Projects Chair: Lisa Schubert, assistant director, OSU Residential Conferences & Catering
• At Large: David Hamby, professor, Nuclear Engineering, Oregon State University

Continuing board members:

• At Large: Kavinda Arthenayake, director, OSU Conference Services
• At Large: Todd Washington, owner, CPR Works