ALUMNI

Again and again, alumni of Leadership Mendocino say that a valuable aspect of their experience is the contacts and relationships they develop with people from all across the County, people with whom they would not normally come into contact.

Leadership Mendocino is not an elitist organization.  But as is often the case in small, tightly knit communities like Mendocino County, having the Leadership experience in common can often help facilitate communication between disparate groups.

The Leadership Mendocino alumni association works to maintain the connection between all graduates of the program.  They publish an annual directory available to all alumni, they sponsor alumni gatherings, and they work with the Leadership Mendocino events committee to raise the profile of Leadership alumni through community activities.

ALUMNI SUCCESS STORIES (Representative)

Graduates of Leadership Mendocino live and work throughout Mendocino County and beyond.  While some of them have taken on high-profile causes and activities in the community, others give back in quieter ways to their employer or to their own businesses.

Listed below are just a few profiles of program graduates.  These will be changed and updated on a regular basis.  Are we missing a wonderful success story? Please drop an email to the program director and let her know: lm@pacific.net.

M. L. Gordon, Class XI - With limited time, M. L. planned a simple Leadership Mendocino community project: He would spend an hour a week reading to middle school kids in Fort Bragg. Appalled that many of the kids could scarcely read at all, M. L. ended up starting an after-school reading program that brought a group of kids up to grade-level reading by the finish of the school year.

Sue Hawley, Class X - As her community project through Leadership Mendocino, Sue, along with assistance from fellow Leadership Mendocino class members and other community businesses and organizations, recently formed the Community Coalition for Gang Prevention in Mendocino County.

Hugh McAvoy, Class IV - Hugh saw the need to have a safe place for young people to be while their parents are working. Joined by other Leadership Mendocino graduates, he helped finalize the formation of the Boys & Girls Club in Ukiah.

Ruth Valenzuela, Class XVI - "I was really impressed by the structure and content of the class days and I was left completely inspired after every one. The program also provided me a great opportunity to network." With the help of classmate Richard Cooper of Mendo-Lake Credit Union and several of his bi-lingual employees, Ruth started a housing foreclosure counseling resource in Mendocino County called Housing Foreclosure Prevention Coalition. Classmate Javier Chavez from Gualala taught Ruth about specific south coast issues to help her better serve constituents there. As field representative for State Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro, she put together a meeting between Chesbro and classmate Dave Koball, a vineyard manager and officer of the Farm Bureau, to address Russian River water issues.

Mari Rodin, Class X, became a Ukiah City Councilwoman when she was unanimously voted to fill a vacancy on the Council. During the selection process Mari’s Leadership Mendocino experience was recognized as a significant asset. Mari values the insights into Mendocino County issues she gained from Leadership Mendocino, saying, “Knowing about something makes you care.”