Southwest Leadership Program students graduate

Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy

Kathie Gilbert, who facilitated the Southwest Leadership Program process, said the students met three times in January, and two times each month since. The graduation of the 15-member class was held in the Western New Mexico University Global Resource Center auditorium Wednesday, April 15.

Gilbert said the students had given good feedback to the advisory board members, whom she introduced. "Facilitators are critical to the group," she said, as she recognized those facilitators who were present.

"And always supporting us is Western's President Dr. Joseph Shepard," Gilbert introduced Shepard.

"Leadership is important," Shepard said. He related what he had learned about leadership from the book "Endurance," about Ernest Shackleton and his crew's ice-bound survival in Antarctica. "The book shows leadership and how to maximize the talents of all team members."

"Leaders create an aura of respect," Shepard said, pointing out the presence of Sen. Howie Morales, whom he described as a leader.

"Listening is one of the most important aspects of leadership," Shepard said. "You will be challenged day-to-day. As Thomas Jefferson said: 'In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of style, swim with the current.'"

He said he had visited the previous evening with Valerie Plame, who lost her CIA undercover status because of a column in the Washington Post. "She talked about the heavy-handed press. I don't necessarily agree with her politics, but I definitely agree with her principles."

"I hope this course benefits you, and congratulations," Shepard said to the graduates.

Gilbert introduced the students who would speak about what the program meant to them. The first to speak was Razanna Thomas. She thanked everyone who had come to celebrate with them, the sponsors and "my fellow workers."

"The program was very helpful," Thomas said. "It taught us how to use conflict resolution, what to do and what not to do. We had a great time. It was an awesome opportunity to network. All the facilitators are volunteers. With our newly gained skills, everyone feels we will be the type to bend and swim with the current."

Mone't Borla, a Western student in early childhood education, said: "I gained a wealth of knowledge to help guide me as a leader in the classroom, as well as in the community. I learned how to take advantage of resources within the community. I plan to advocate for my students in the community. We learned how to be prepared, proactive, responsible in time management and educated."

Gilbert explained their project was their lab. "It's where they practice conflict resolution and time management."

The project manager, Jessica Etcheverry, said: "We started with two great ideas, and worked them down to Cash for Critters. We have a need in Grant County and Luna County to take care of the overpopulation of pets. We chose Puppy Dog Ranch in Grant County because it is a no-kill sanctuary, and in Luna County we are supporting the Deming-Luna County Humane Society."

She described the several different ways they had chosen to fundraise. The first was a 50-50, with the winner to take half the proceeds; the second a Cash for Critters raffle, with various prizes; and third to text to 20222 to give. Texting the number adds $5 to a person's phone bill. She said the group had received 350 business donations to their cause. "We will close out at 2 p.m., May 1, at 1st Savings Bank in Silver City. Our goal is $5,000, which we hope to surpass." The total to date is $2,100, but students sold raffle tickets after the event.

The guest speaker was Brian Cunningham, Gila Regional Medical Center chief executive officer and member of the leadership program's advisory board.

"I will talk to everyone, but I want to mainly address the course participants," Cunningham began. "Because of my love and respect for people, I have worked 30 years in health care. It's an honor to be part of this program." He quoted from John Quincy Adams: "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."

Cunningham described the fundamentals of leadership as being about service-being and doing. He said he had long studied leadership and, "as a leader, who are you being? Everyone else knows who you are being, so ask if you want to know. What are you doing? How does it work in education, government or health care or any other complex issue?"

"How do you present yourself?" he continued. "How did they feel working with you, especially during challenging times?"

Cunningham said it's about being, presentation and emotional intelligence. "You have to monitor your ongoing emotional self/state. Are you calm in the middle of a storm or are you adding to the tension?"

"In the doing, how do you get things done in a complex environment?" he asked. "The number one problem in business is the inability to execute. The challenge is where are the courses and experiences so you can practice them. There are not very many at all. Most approaches don't get to the depth of being and doing. Are your actions empowering or disempowering? It's all about doing the thing to move things forward. There is a vacuum in leadership in all industries. I applaud you for striving to become better leaders. If when reaching a goal, the level of drama is non-existent, you're getting it done. The way you know is, if being and doing, you are getting closer to your goal and more respectful of others.

"A jerk can get things done, and a person can be nice, but accomplish nothing. They are not leaders," Cunningham said. "This program exposes aspiring leaders committed to community and to ways of being and doing. If you're being in alignment with service, you are on the right track. It is my wish to work with you in the future."

Gilbert and Shepard presented certificates to each of the graduates.