LB Adult Class Projects
The Adult Leadership Butler classes are responsible for developing a class project during their participation in Leadership Butler. The projects must benefit the youth of Butler County, but beyond that requirement the classes are free to come up with ideas on their own. Those ideas are then narrowed down to a final project. The projects are always interesting and the classes have a wide variation of thought on what to do. Below are the past LB adult class projects by year.
Class of 2008 - Assisted the Salvation Army with packing food boxes, organizing and restocking Salvation Army pantry and adopted two families with 9 children each for Christmas. The class was then responsible for getting food and gifts for the two families. To see a video made by the class regarding their project, click below.
Class of 2007 - The class of 2007 partnered with an existing organization that works with "at risk" children in Butler County called "Camp Butler 2000." The class facilitated activities at this week long camp to incorporate leadership skills development, mentoring with college athletes, making healthy choices and alcohol abuse.
Class of 2006 - The class of 2006 setup a one day program to teach leadership training for 7th grade students throughout Butler County. The event was held at the Butler Community College and participants used the Grizzly Adventures Course to enhance their team building skills.
Class of 2005 - The class of 2005 dedicated their efforts toward child safety seats and booster seats. The timing was great as there was a bill concerning booster seat requirements in the Kansas Legislature when the group made their trip to Topeka. The Augusta Wal-Mart donated car seats to the project, which were given to Bright Beginnings/Rainbows United to help distribute to needy families. Seat belt signs were designed with the help of Butler County, purchased by the class, and placed in various locations throughout Butler County. An advertisement was also placed in Butler County newspapers to advocate the use of seatbelts.
Class of 2004 - The class of 2004 put together "Friendship Boxes" to be taken to different locations throughout Butler County. The boxes were filled with items to show the differences in people - whether it be skin color, size and so on. The friendship boxes targeted children ages 0-3.
Class of 2003 - The class of 2003 chose a program called the "Leader Reader Program." The class contacted all 10 public libraries in Butler County and during the National Library Week, they read children's books that pertain to leadership traits such as listening, teamwork, character building and vision. The class purchased between 5 and 7 new books for each library and had bookmarks and pencils printed with "leader reader" on them.
Class of 2002 - The class of 2002 held a "Parents University" for parents of middle school age children. Speakers were asked to come and discuss topics such as signs of drug abuse, bullying, parents being nice to each other, advocating for your child with disabilities, setting limits with your middle school child, self esteem, peer pressure, mood changes and having the courage to change. The Kansas State University Research and Extension office in Butler County took over this event, and class members continue to help with it. The class of 2002 also helped Mid Kansas Community Action Program with current parenting classes by volunteering their time and donating refreshments.
Class of 2001 - The class of 2001 determined that their class project would be to help "kick start" a program with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Butler County called "Bigs in Schools." Class members volunteered their time to go to several elementary schools in Butler County once per week for approximately 30 minutes. The class members read to children who needed special attention during the visits. In addition, their project involved giving children back packs filled with school supplies and other fun activities. Several of the class members continue to read to students at area schools.