The mission of the Center for Civic Leadership is to foster and promote the development of “citizen leaders” who will address and solve community problems. Civic leadership calls on the development of citizen leaders who are committed to making our world a better place. This approach to leadership operates on the basic assumption that all of us have the ability to serve as leaders and, therefore, should participate in civic action for the purpose of making a difference in our communities. The Center for Civic Leadership will serve youth, college students and the community through leadership development, community service, and service-learning activities.

The Call for Civic Leadership

The call for civic leadership is born out of the frustration that traditional approaches to problem solving have failed. More and more citizens are becoming disappointed with the inability of elected leaders and public officials to seriously address community issues and problems. Simply, traditional authority structures and leadership methods have struggled to solve the issues facing our society. One of the most difficult has been the fragmentation of power in our society. No one group can successfully solve today’s problems alone. Additionally, the growth of interest groups, the complexities of today’s issues, diffusion of responsibility, excessive individualism, and the growth of bureaucracies have all contributed to this dilemma.

While traditional leadership has struggled, many citizens have failed to engage in community problem solving. Today, it seems that few are willing to stand up and address serious problems facing society. Many seem uninterested in making a difference in their communities. Social indicators routinely show that as social problems increase, public activism decreases. This trend suggests that we must encourage and motivate ourselves and our fellow citizens to develop skills and commit time and energy to community activities that benefit society.

Even though some do have a general interest in civic action, many lack the basic knowledge and skills necessary to be successful. There are exciting signs that our newest generation of Americans show a genuine concern and passion for social responsibility. Thus, it is important that we tap into this enthusiasm and provide the needed training for them to become responsible civic leaders.

Mission and Principles

The mission of the Center for Civic Leadership is to foster and promote the development of citizens and “citizen leaders” who will address and solve community problems. This model of leadership emphasizes collective action through collaboration for the purpose of addressing social needs and injustices. Civic leadership is a contemporary theory, which calls on the development of citizen leaders who are committed to making our world a better place. In its simplest form, civic leadership encourages us to not only be responsible for ourselves, but more importantly, to take responsibility for those around us. This approach to leadership development operates on the basic assumption that all of us have the ability to serve as leaders, and therefore, should participate in civic action for the purpose of making a difference in our communities.

While civic participation and public service provide a vital and critical role in our democratic and free
society, it is the link with leadership that helps shape the decision making process and its outcomes.
Beyond service, these citizens identify key issues, raise questions, voice opinions, challenge traditional authority, and take the appropriate actions when necessary. The purpose is to create a new generation of Kansans who empower themselves and have the skills and capabilities to act on behalf of the greater good.

The Center for Civic Leadership is built upon the following principles: With the complex problems and challenges of the modern world, the need for leadership is greater than ever. Effective leadership can make a positive contribution at all levels of society. It is possible to encourage civic engagement and develop the competencies needed to foster civic leadership. Leadership training and development is not just for a select few, but rather all individuals who can and should benefit from leadership development activities.

Competencies of a Civic Leader

Citizens who participate in Center for Civic Leadership programming will serve as architects and catalysts for change. These individuals will challenge the status quo and initiate and sustain transformational change for the common good. Program participants will emerge with the following characteristics:

• Civic-minded. Possess a sense of community and a commitment to civic responsibility and action.
• Change agent. Promote positive community change for the purpose of addressing social problems.
• Enthusiastic and passionate. Possess a deep desire and commitment to the cause and endless energy to serve as the key to transformational success.
• Cooperative. Ability to create, support, and nurture positive interpersonal relationships and group interaction.
• Persistent. When faced with obstacles and barriers, they sustain change and persist even when the odds are against them.
• Creative and innovative. Ability to find solutions, add new perspectives, and view things differently when solving complex problems.
• Credible. Recognize that trustworthiness and integrity is the key to influencing and
  motivating others.
• Commitment and sacrifice. Recognize that any transformational efforts require a personal price of the change agents.