Vilas county is looking for the next class of future leaders as part of its Vilas Vision program.
The Leadership Program for Vilas County, VILAS Vision was created in 2003 by the Vilas County UW-Extension Offices and Lac du Flambeau. The program is designed to bring forward leadership skills, identify community issues and challenges, promote an awareness of Vilas County’s resources, institutions, cultures and concerns, Expand business and community networks and encourage involvement in leadership roles at work and in the community.
UW-Extension Community Resource Development Agent Chris Stark says the most recent class produced projects that will make a difference.
He says one group developed a booklet that identifies where free wireless connections in every part of Vilas county..
"....as someone who is on the Vilas county broadband committee, I was absolutely blown away. It's a wonderful piece and they've distributed more than a thousand through out the county. I said, 'I've got to get you over to the Vilas County Economic Development Corporation' and just 36 hours later they did. This is a very good piece and very badly needed in Vilas county...."
Stark says a second group worked to get items for people living in poverty in Vilas county. They set up collection boxes in St. Germain and Eagle River and through Northwoods Share the collected bags of items for needy students and citizens in the county.
Stark says one class that resonates is a class on diversity that is held in Lac du Flambeau.
Stark says they're taking applications now for the eight-month program, which begins in November through June of the following year. Stark says the program is open to residents 17 and up...
"....we usually have at least two high school students in the program. The range is all over the place. Anyone who is interested in improving their knowledge of Vilas county and contacts in Vilas county and also about leadership in general and their leadership skills would be and should be interested in this program..."
Stark asks interested persons to contact him at the UW-Extension office. More than 125 Vilas County residents are graduates of the program.
