Giving back Giving back (May 28, 2004)

Leadership MV class learns about city's inner workings

By Corey Pride

This fall nearly 30 people will embark on a path leading to increased community involvement when the Leadership Mountain View program convenes its 2005 class.

LMV is sponsored by the city's chamber of commerce and teaches leadership skills and the inner workings of Mountain View community service and local government. The deadline for applications for this fall's class is June 4 and organizers anticipate 28 of the program's 32 spots being filled.

The program is open to people 18-years-old or older who live or work in Mountain View. The cost to enroll is $1,500 but a limited number of scholarships are available.

"Our number-one priority is to provide a first-class experience to students," said Linda Miller, the chair of the LMV council and a 1997 graduate of the program.

LMV consists of nine monthly meetings each lasting an entire day. Each meeting has a different theme relating to leadership and guest speakers from the local community are usually featured. Students are also required to perform a minimum of 10 hours of volunteer work

Chamber of Commerce President Carol Olson said LMV gives people the opportunity to figure out exactly what they can do when they want to help others in their city. She said she considers anyone giving their time to make their community better a leader.

"A leader takes chances to support the community," Olson said. "A lot of people say as a person in society you have a duty to give back. The people that do, I think, are leaders."

LMV Program Director Twana Karney said a big part of the program is students meeting others who also want to serve their community.

Miller said after she graduated from LMV, she and a woman she befriended in the program became co-presidents of the local PTA.

In the past 15 years, former LMV students have volunteered at the public library, worked in education, and held positions in local government.

To apply for the program or for more information, call 968-8378 or visit www.chambermv.org.

E-mail Corey Pride at cpride@mv-voice.com

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