I’m blessed to work with a dynamic group of community leaders in Springfield and Greene County. Before we get too comfortable that it will always be that way, we need to ask: Who’s in charge next?
In a past column, I wrote about social capital being a foundational principle that we must strive to build and about the vital importance of community trust for Springfield’s future. At the city, we are committed to increasing trust levels between our citizens and their government.
Another foundational principle, from my perspective, is in community leadership development – the art and science of training those who will be in charge of our community tomorrow. Without that awareness, we probably won’t get anything done in the next decade or two. Sure, if we experience a leadership vacuum for a generation or so, the pendulum would swing back and our community would likely refocus on leadership development. But let’s not try that.
Any community that is not focused on developing its next generation of leaders is going to find itself at a competitive disadvantage in 10 years, if not before.
I’m proud that Springfield’s community leaders of the past recognized this principle and took action. The Junior League of Springfield, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Ozarks partnered to create Leadership Springfield in the early 1980s when volunteerism, civic engagement and trust levels were very low. This year, the 28th class of Leadership Springfield is working its way through the program. As a result, I challenge you to find a community board that does not include a graduate of Leadership Springfield.
Another community leadership development pillar is the accompanying Leadership Academy developed by Leadership Springfield and various Rotary clubs in 1990. The program provides leadership development for high school juniors.
The Network, focused on attracting, retaining and engaging educated, young professionals in our community between the ages of 21 and 40, is now 300 members strong. The group’s renewed focus is on a third component of their mission: civic engagement. If they maintain an emphasis on engaging young, smart and creative professionals in our community, it can be a game-changer. I feel so passionate about the importance of The Network that I met with their leadership team during my first day on the job to make sure they know how important they are to Springfield’s future.
So who’s in charge next? I’ll wager it will be the graduates of Leadership Springfield and the Leadership Academy, and the members of The Network.
If so, we’ll be in good hands.
Greg Burris is Springfield’s city manager. He can be reached at gburris@springfieldmo.gov.
