"Corridor U" offering leadership training,

A few spots are still available for northwest Iowans interested in honing their leadership skills via "Corridor U: A Short Course in Community Connection."

Corridor U has been designed and developed by a group of business leaders, Chamber of Commerce staff, and ISU Extension personnel.  The team identified the need for additional opportunities for residents of the Buena Vista-Clay-Dickinson-Emmet county region to increase their leadership skills and connect with local issues, organizations, and residents.

"It's important to give leadership skills and tools to those in the community who have the potential to become engaged community leaders and volunteers," said Cory Peterson, Dickinson County ISU Extension Education director. "Part of this group's mission is not only to provide skills and tools but also to provide opportunities and connections to become active leaders in our region."

"I see Corridor U as a great opportunity to further develop the leadership skills of my employee team," said Troy Upah, CEO, Ag Partners, LLC.  Upah has been a member of the Corridor U planning team.

The six-session Corridor U course will feature highly sought after leadership professionals like James Autry, best-selling author of The Art of Caring Leadership and The Servant Leader; Dr. Cornelia Flora, Director of the North Central Center for Rural Development; Dr. Beverlyn Lundy-Allen, Iowa State University Extension leadership specialist and sociologist; and Andrea Frederickson, co-founder and vice president of American Institute of Management, Inc. 

The inaugural class will be limited to 60 residents, approximately 15 from each of the four Corridor counties -- Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, and Emmet.  The sessions will be presented from to 2-5 p.m. every other Tuesday, beginning Jan. 15, 2008, in Milford.

The fee for participants is $249.

Sponsors of Corridor U include Iowa State University Extension, Ag Partners, LLC, and State Bank -- Spencer, Everly and Peterson.

* For further information or to request Corridor U application materials, contact your local ISU Extension office or Jane Goeken, Iowa State University Extension Communities Specialist at 262-2264 or jngoeken@iastate.edu .