- Oct 24, 2022
- 4 min read

May 2022 Newsletter

PROGRAM MANAGER'S CORNER

Dana Close Please join me in welcoming Class 36 to the Alumni Family! Jim Kollenda summed up the year this way, "That's nine months, 14 in person class days, 114 hours of education, 31 locations/sites/tours, 125 speakers and 40 hours of community service with 32 beyond amazing classmates! Oh, and 14 Happy Hours." Our sincere thanks to all the Day Chairs who made our class days so fantastic. Class 36 was determined to pave their own way with the Project Lead It Forward (PLIF) community service projects. From the very beginning, the teams determined that they wanted to work together and support each other on the projects, rather than compete with each other. And, they did just that. They supported each team's fundraisers, they showed up for all events and ribbon cuttings. They could count on members of other teams to offer help if they had the recourses to do so. The result of that collaboration was a banner year in the success of their projects. Team Back to the Future worked with the Scottsdale Historical Society to preserve and record, through video, the valuable history of our older community members who have left a lasting impact on our city. As a community we are fortunate that Team Back to the Future created a lasting record of the contributions of these great civic leaders. Team Pride Park worked closely with Keep Scottsdale Beautiful on the creation of a sustainable urban oasis with plantings that attract pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. All of this was created out of a neglected pocket park in South Scottsdale. Team Creating Community worked with Child Crisis of Arizona to do just that! They transformed common spaces for the young adult residents of Earl House, which is a site dedicated to helping at-risk youth transition from foster care to independence. They created vibrant spaces for growth and connection to encourage communication, as well as a chance to create their own community. Team Horsense worked with Horsense at MacDonald's Ranch to create meaningful, enjoyable learning experiences that enrich children's lives through the development of character, leadership and social development. The team created a shade structure, added electricity and a cook shed that will be appreciated for years to come. If we were to add up all their PLIF efforts it looks like this:

4 projects
5 months of work
32 class members
926 combined volunteer hours
$44,000 raised
$36,765 in-kind donations
Impact: PRICELESS

Well done, Class 36! We know you are going to continue to lead in our community. And just as Class 36 wraps things up, it is time to turn our attention to Class 37. We are still accepting applications until May 19th. So if you know of a person who is a great candidate, please encourage them to get their application in. The link to the application is below. And if you know of a deserving nonprofit who would appreciate working with a Project Lead It Forward team next year, please have them contact me at Dana@ScottsdaleLeadership.org. Dana Close Program Manager

BLAST FROM THE PAST Natalie Chrisman Lazarr, Class 30

After our great conversation with Natalie Chrisman Lazarr of Class 30, we sat back and marveled at the depth of talent in Scottsdale Leadership. She is a very accomplished person and luckily for us, one of the things she has chosen to direct her talent towards is improving our environment. When asked about that, Natalie told us that if we adopt the mindset of environment sustainability we will have the best chance for success. But beyond her unquestioned expertise and passion for this topic, we found a woman of warmth, who has an easy smile that made us want to join her in her efforts. With so many competing narratives out there on the environment, it is not an easy journey she has embarked upon. We think you will enjoy getting to know this really smart advocate for not only Scottsdale, but our whole area.

Here is an Opportunity to Help

Vista del Camino Food Bank needs your help to restock their shelves. Participate in the National Association of Letter Carriers' Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive by placing nonperishable food near your mailbox Saturday, May 14. Your letter carrier will pick up and deliver items to food banks.

JOIN US FOR HAPPY HOUR! Help Us Welcome Class 36 to the Alumni Family

RSVP HERE

PASS IT ON TO QUALIFIED APPLICANTS!

There is Still Time!

We are accepting applications for class 37!

The deadline to apply is May 19, 2022

APPLY TODAY

NEW PROGRAM ALERT

Add Our Number to Your Contacts!

THERE IS A NEW DECABOOTER IN TOWN!

Arthur Joaquin Manibusan DeCabooter born April 10, 2022

Baby Arthur Joaquin Manibusan DeCabooter arrived on April 10, 2022 to proud parents David and Maria DeCabooter…and proud grandmother Mary DeCabooter!

If Baby Art is anything like his mother and father, his grandparents and family, we know that he will have a significant impact on our community in the future. Shall we look for him to join Scottsdale Leadership in 2052? Perhaps Class 66?!!

Congratulations to the DeCabooter family! We will enjoy watching young Arthur grow up.

YOUR OPINION COUNTS

Please Take a Moment to Complete Our Survey by May 27th