About Us...
Leadership Butler, also referred to as "LB," was established in 1988 based on a concept of bringing unity for communities within Butler County, Kansas and to focus on informing potential and current community leaders about issues, challenges and happenings within Butler County and the State of Kansas.
In the beginning, the sessions were devoted to topics such as education, social issues, economic development, local government and state government. Speakers, panels and tours also helped complete the program, along with a two day trip to Topeka, Kansas. The program was coordinated by volunteers from throughout Butler County, and had administrative support through Butler County economic development.
In 1989, the LB Alumni Association was formed from the vision of the first class of Leadership Butler. The group's objective was to provide continuing education on issues in Butler County, to be a volunteer base for existing programs and to keep Alumni members connected with each other.
Four years later, in 1993, LB began the youth program which targeted juniors in the nine school districts of Butler County. Support gained from the school districts afforded the opportunity for the students to attend six evening sessions. Each session was located in a different community within Butler County. The school districts also play a major role in getting nominations for the youth program.
During the following year, Butler County was rapidly growing and Leadership Butler's focus was also growing. In 1994, the Leadership Butler Board of Trustees approached the Butler County Commission to request their support, and ultimately gain such from the Commission.
In 1999, the Leadership Butler Board of Trustees was asked to join the Kansas Health Foundation, along with sixteen other community leadership programs from across the State of Kansas. The Kansas Health Foundation asked that LB participate in a two-year training program. As part of a listening tour, the Kansas Health Foundation became aware that "leadership" was an issue statewide. Following tremendous research and based on a successful program in Indiana, the Kansas Health Foundation started the Kansas Community Leadership Initiative.
In conjunction with the training through the Kansas Community Leadership Initiative, the Leadership Butler Board of Trustees made the move to a leadership skill and capacity based program with emphasis on Servant Leadership - to serve first.
The Leadership Butler organization is formed of three programs - the adult program, the youth program and the alumni association.
Leadership Butler, Inc. is a 501(c)(3), not for profit organization. LB works closely with all facets within Butler County but is governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of eleven voting members, and 2 ex officio members - the Butler County Economic Development Director and the Executive Director of LB. Funds to support the programs are requested each year through Butler County, each school district in the County, a liquor tax through the cities of Augusta and El Dorado, and various grants through the Community Foundation of Greater Butler County, as well as the Kansas Health Foundation. Sponsorships are obtained through many businesses, individuals and LB alumni association members.
Currently, there are more than four hundred past participants of Leadership Butler, of which approximately 300 are members of the Alumni Association. The program was also proud to announce the completion of the 20th class in 2008. Interested in being part of LB?? If so, check out the adult program or youth program links in the upper right hand portion of your screen.
"Everybody has a leader inside."
—Robert Reich
Adult Program: Sessions generally start in August and run through November. Each session is held every other week, each in different locations throughout Butler County. For more information on the Adult Program, click the link in the upper right portion of your screen.
Youth Program: Sessions generally start in September and run through October. Youth sessions are held during the evening hours each week, and each in different locations throughout Butler County.
Adult Celebration: A celebration is held in November to recognize the new LB class and to have a formal graduation for the previous class, upon completion of their class project. The celebration is a time to meet new people, network and unveil the newest LB class project.
Youth Celebration: The youth celebration is held in January and recognizes the new YLB class.
Welcome Picnic: Held in conjunction with the opening retreat for the new LB class, a picnic provides time for the new class to meet the LB alumni, spend time bonding, and allows all LB members a chance to come together and catch up with each other.
Facilitation and consulting services for the business and organization sector: Leadership Butler is fortunate enough to be able to offer facilitation and consulting services for businesses and organizations, both within Butler County and outside of the County. Some of groups we have worked with in the past include El Dorado United Way, Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital, Butler County Appraiser's Office, Winfield Chamber of Commerce, McPherson Chamber of Commerce, Andover Chamber of Commerce, ARC of Butler County, Kansas Leadership Forum and many more. For more information on this service, contact us via phone or e-mail at the numbers/address listed at the top of the page.
Quarterly Breakfasts: Each quarter of the calendar year, LB hosts a breakfast where issues within Butler County are addressed and the group looks at ways of resolving the issues. Some past topics include gangs, homelessness in Butler County, imagination library, school dropout rates, the highway 254 corridor development, agri-tourism, children's issues - proactive and reactive, economic development and more. These breakfasts are not only for LB members, and the public is always invited to attend.
Speakers Bureau: Volunteers from throughout the County speak to organizations, clubs, chambers and various other groups about the Leadership Butler programs. This not only gives insight as to what we are all about, but also presents the opportunity to plant seeds for new LB participants.
Candidates Forum: During election years, LB sponsors candidate forums for those individuals seeking terms in State, County and local races. This has proven to be a well received forum and the public is invited to attend these forums.
Nominee Reception: Food, fun, information and the chance to meet new and exciting people in Butler County.... That is what the yearly nominee reception is all about. In June of each year, all nominees of the Leadership Butler adult program are invited to attend this social event. During the reception, nominees learn about the nomination and selection process, as well as the commitments they must make to the program.
Servant Leadership Award: The Servant Leadership Award is awarded by the Leadership Butler Alumni to recognize individuals within Butler County for their service to their communities. Nominations are open to anyone within Butler County.
Topeka Trip: Scheduled in February, Leadership Butler coordinates a trip to the State capital of Topeka each year. The trip allows youth and adult participants the opportunity to interact with Butler County legislators and to hear from State Departments on happenings throughout the State of Kansas.
Class Projects: The adult and youth program participants must determine, plan and implement class projects that benefit children in Butler County, directly or indirectly. Past projects have included: Establishing Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County, "Buckle Up Butler" Signage as well as providing booster seats for needy families, Video on the effects of bullying which was given to the schools for teaching purposes, assisting with the Salvation Army during Christmas season, and much more.
Board and Committee: The Board of Trustees meet each month at different locations in the County. The Alumni Committee and the Youth Committee also hold monthly meetings.