How Leadership Lake Tahoe changed my life

Since 2003 there has been Leadership Lake Tahoe and a few hundred people can now say they've graduated from this worthwhile program. What started as an annual joint venture between the two Chambers of Commerce that served the South Shore is now a biennial leadership experience.

I was a member of Leadership Lake Tahoe in 2006 and I can say that it changed my life.

At the time I was selected I was in my 26th year of working in a local casino, not exactly doing what I thought I'd do when I moved to South Lake Tahoe after college in 1979. But as many who have lived here know, things happen and you stay.

As a single parent of four I just plugged along doing what I had to do by both working and staying involved in their lives. There were football and baseball games, karate, PTA and a career. There were countless nights of homework and being both the mom and dad to three boys and a daughter.

When the opportunity to join Leadership Lake Tahoe came about I was a manager with both MontBleu and Horizon and I jumped at the chance. The boys had all graduated high school and were moving on to college. My daughter was eight, but with just one at home, it'd get easier, right? I had time for Leadership.

This was the best move I've made as I can now describe my life as "before Leadership" and "after Leadership."

Being the daughter of two parents who were very involved in their community, I knew there was more I could do besides PTA and Pop Warner. Dad was a leader in Rotary as well as several educational and other community groups. Mom took a leadership role in AAUW, League of Women Voters, the Philharmonic as well as other organizations in our community.

Now it was my turn.

Leadership took me from the sidelines to the team.

Leadership Lake Tahoe gives community members the chance to get involved. The ten monthly meetings focus on a plethora of agencies, both in government and social services. You learn about both Nevada and California government on both a city and county level as well as education, tourism, the environment, transportation, media, redevelopment, and economic development. You get specialized leadership skills through workshops and guest speakers.

While it is aimed at the younger future leaders in the community, older community members are also welcomed. The Chamber welcomes people from all business sectors who are looking for both professional and personal development and who want to be more involved in the community.

After graduation from Leadership I joined the Board of Directors of Tahoe Youth & Family Services, something I really didn't know about pre-Leadership. I also joined Tahoe Douglas Rotary and became President of both organizations within a couple of years. There are countless other organizations I joined after Leadership, all because I learned "I can help." I also stayed on to help plan future Leadership years as a member of the task force.

Leadership Lake Tahoe opened both doors and my mind, and I learned how to be a better part of the South Lake Tahoe community.

Chamber CEO "B" Gorman will be giving a presentation on Leadership Lake Tahoe at Tuesday's City Council meeting. I highly encourage people to either attend or listen from home, or log onto their website for more information. Applications are due June 12 and the program won't be offered again until 2017. Don't let this chance slip by.

Are you ready to change your life?