Michael Shields with Leadership Monroe County joined Good Morning Keys on KeysTalk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about the program.
The program is currently in the last of the nine sessions that began last September, with emergency management at the Marathon Fire Station.
Shields said, “What we’re excited about, is our upcoming graduation with our Leadership Spring Grad Fest in Marathon Community Park tomorrow from 11 to 8. We’ve got a full pack day ahead.”
This will be the 31st class to graduate.
Shields said, “Most graduation exercises, of course, are somewhat formal and traditional and our exercise over a good 29 plus years was we have a banquet, we’d have the typical setting and exercises. But in all candor, sometimes they seem rather perfunctory. We recognize that our mission as an organization, as a nonprofit, formed in 1992, was to recognize the issues and the concerns of our community and to build effective alliances between all of the various leaders up and down the Keys. It was a county issue. We’re the only organization, education group that strives and creates a program of immersive sessions throughout the year, to build bridges effectively, and communicate what those concerns are. As a nonpartisan, independent, nonprofit, we don’t have any particular viewpoints so much as educating our leaders about these are the issues now, do what you will with them now that you understand what the concerns are, what the issues are, what the policies are, and how our departments run, how our nonprofits operate, what those challenges are. We all recognize them in our own backyard. But sometimes it’s difficult to see the bigger picture. So we try to give all of these leaders in which there’s a competitive selection.”
It’s usually about 22 individuals from the Upper, Middle and Lower Keys.
Shields said, “For tomorrow we decided last year for the first time, and this year now for our second year running to make this a community festival, where everyone is invite and it’s not just the select group who get to congratulate themselves for a long and very rewarding year. But we also wanted to recognize the many nonprofits and organizations and community groups that do build our community. It runs the range from up and down the Keys and all the various nonprofits, from environmental, health care, education and tomorrow, we’ll have about over two dozen of these organizations with tents and tables to let the community know what they’re all about and to share that information. We’re going to have the Key West mounted horse patrol. We’re going to have the Navy canine corps. We’re going to have a SWAT team there as well as, Fish and Wildlife with an exhibit, NOAH and the weather service. It’s just going to be a full fun day, in addition to things for the family to enjoy. From a bounce house and a water slide. For the grown ups, we’re going to have axe throwing, actual axes. Another addition we’re having is a classic car show. We’ve got about 25, 30 cars, and we even have a NASCAR car coming down from Miami to again showcase what the what they’re all about.”
Food trucks and beverages will also be available.
Shields continued, “And the drawing for a $25,000 raffle, which is part of the class 31’s project, which is raising this money for the Keys swim program that the Keys Parks Department has developed to allow children who do not have the opportunity to really learn how to swim. They recognize that that’s part of the challenge we have – our own children surrounded by water, they need to know how to swim effectively so they’re safe and of course, they get to enjoy this beautiful environment. It’s going to be a very full day from 11 to 8 and looking forward to everyone being able to join us.”
Leadership Monroe has really worked to develop strong leaders.
Shields said, “This is also an opportunity for those who are interested, tell us a little bit more about it. Come July 1, we start recruiting for the next class, Class 32, which again, will begin late September, early October. So come on out and see some of the fun activities that we’re going to be having, learn a little bit about the program, bring the kids. All ages are welcome and looking forward to a fabulous day because there’s a lot happening up and down the Keys. So we’re going to be hop, skipping, jumping around from one to the other. At three o’clock will be the actual commencement for the very class. So if you pick a real time, you want to see the actual class, three o’clock will be the time and five o’clock will be the raffle drawing.”