Thinking regionally...acting collaboratively

Mission - To develop a network of collaborative leaders and to be a catalyst for enhaned regional cooperation.

Vision - To create a regional culture of individuals and groups who will be activists, who will influence local decision-makers, and who will become leaders for the growth and stability of the region.

The Regional Leadership Alliance is a regional leadership program which is focused on facilitating and encouraging regional thinking and cooperation in southwest Michigan. The program complements and depends upon the region's existing community leadership programs, and offers the "next step" in thinking regionally.

The program was launched in September of 2004 with a presentation given by Mr. John Parr, president of the Alliance for Regional Stewardship. The Alliance is a network of regional leaders, helping communities learn by sharing "best practices." Program participants will continue their work on specific regional issues in quarterly sessions.

• Key issues addressed in these sessions will include:
• Development of a regional approach to problem solving
• Understanding the potential gains and pitfalls in regional efforts.
• Best practices in regional problem solving.
• Regional issues in economic development, transportation and land use.

The program will offer its participants the opportunity to meet with regional leaders across a wide range of fields such as economic development, land use, health, transportation and education. Plans also include bringing in regional and national leaders to discuss key issues. Moreover, the program's sessions, which will be held at locations throughout Southwest Michigan, will offer participants the opportunity to explore the region's many different communities and environments.

By building on value generated by the region's excellent community leadership progrms, the Regional Leadership Alliance will augment and enhance regional thinking and create a regional network of community and business leaders. The potential outcome of such an effort, both for the participant and the region at large, can be significant as the perceived barriers and lack of knowledge which stand between us disappear.

Potential Benefits of a Regional Program:

• Impacting regional growth and quality of life by networking and focus on issues
• Improving understanding among communities of their similarities and differences, as well as their interdependence
• Opportunity to get individuals invested in issues broader than their individual community
• Action at the community level as a result of regional focus on issues
• Acquiring regional thinking and influencing local decisions
• Developing skills and competencies as well as knowledge of regional issues to take back to local communities
• Developing an identifiable network that becomes a resource on regional issues
• Awareness of shared opportunities and challenges
• Better understanding and insights on regional issues
• Shared best practices between communities