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Leadership Academy grads work to improve Kettering

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By Adele Koehnen, Contributing Writer 11:13 AM Thursday, May 28, 2009

It was a graduation ceremony with a difference. Instead of high school or college age students receiving their diplomas, the Kettering Leadership Academy graduates were businessmen and women, some with spouses and families.

On May 14, at the Presidential Banquet Center in Kettering, nine men and two women were presented red desk clocks signifying nine months of intense training to become innovative leaders in the community.

Councilman Bruce Duke looks back to 2003 when he was running for mayor of the city of Kettering.

“I met many citizens at that time who were proud of their city and wanted to know how they could contribute to its success,” Duke said. “I had heard about other cities sponsoring Leadership Academy and decided to give it a try in Kettering.”

Duke employed the assistance of the Kettering Volunteer Office under the direction of Bonnie Pittl, volunteer resources manager, and her assistant, Mary Lou Randolph.

Six years later, the Class of 2009 already is working on two projects as a result of a curriculum that includes an initial retreat, presentations, discussions and direct experience with public safety, city government, schools, health care, community diversity, service clubs and volunteering. Tuition for the program is $500 per participant, frequently paid by employers or a sponsoring organization. Scholarships are available.

The class was divided into two groups. The Kettering Avenue of Flags project is being accomplished by graduates Steve Bergstresser, Nick Fathergill, Kyle Hoener, Jack Omer, Peter Callahan and Courtney Schaeubin.

“A flag will be placed in a resident’s front lawn on the morning of the five national holidays and removed at dusk for the cost of $40,” Callahan said. “The American flags are three foot by five foot on a 10-foot pole and subscriptions are being canvassed in areas bounded by Far Hills Avenue to Shroyer Road and Winding Way to Far Hills.”

A survey is under way to see how the academy is stacking up with the needs of its members. This can be an invaluable aid for the volunteer office when considering speakers and projects that hit the target for the members’ needs and interests.

The survey is conducted by graduates Tony Alexander, Carrie Hauser, Mark Schweikhart, Coston Smith and Donald Timmer.

In its six-year history, the Kettering Leadership Academy has graduated 70 individuals. According to Duke, 75 percent of them are actively contributing to some aspect of the city’s prosperity.

“The ongoing backpacking project assures that no child in our elementary schools goes hungry over the weekend. Guidance counselors know which students need the extra food for the weekend as they leave Friday afternoons with a full backpack of non-perishable items.

“This visible health program is the result of the concerned citizens from the Leadership Academy,” Duke said.

Contact this columnist at  adeleauk4737@sbcglobal.net

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