Class Project History
The 2008-09 class saw the launch of Leadership Santa Barbara County's renewed commitment to support local non-profit organizations through a "class community service project." The addition of the class project component came as a result of LSBC Board reflections on how to better contribute meaningfully and tangibly in the community.
Throughout the year, the class works hand in hand with a non-profit of its choice to complete an in-depth project. The scope of work is determined by the class as members develop, plan, and execute the effort before May's graduation event. The May Topic Awareness Day unveils the project to the public and highlights the benefits of community service and civic responsibility.
While each year's project will provide local benefits to a non-profit organization, class members gain unparalleled exposure and training in project management that transfers to future volunteerism, workplace, and philanthropic efforts.
Non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit their project ideas annually in October to the curriculum chair. Up to four organizations will be invited to present at the November class session where the class will use skills acquired that day to choose its project.
2011-2012 Dog Adoption and Welfare Group (DAWG)
The class plans to drastically improve one of their yards and help make sure the dogs housed in that yard stay adoptable and have happier lives while they wait for their "forever families." They will be fixing structural problems, making the yard safer for the dogs who spend their days there, and installing behavioral enrichment equipment such as is used in zoos to keep the animals stimulated and healthy.
Dogs left alone in a poor environment with no forms of mental or physical stimulation can get lonely and unsocialized, leading them to form bad habits such as digging, barking or biting; habits that tend to take them out of the running for adoption.
The class will also be installing murals, to be designed and painted by youth groups from the Santa Barbara community. This is an extra part of the project they are particularly excited about since it will let them collaborate with youth-based organizations in town, and will encourage the kids to participate in the arts while learning about how fun and worthwhile it can be to do something for their community.
For more information on DAWG go to http://www.sbdawg.org/
2010-2011 Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara
This year the LSBC class chose a two part project at two different locations of Girls Incorporated of Greater Santa Barbara. Part one consisted of a mural project on an outdoor wall at the downtown campus. Part two was a much larger commitment at the Goleta campus. It involved transforming an unsightly dirt area into a Garden and Outdoor Learing Space, requiring the full planning, preparation, procurement and planting of several trees, planter boxes and a pergola structure. After a good deal of leg work to get approval from the County Architectural Board of Review, the Class roared through the execution of the design and planting of the Garden and provided a pergola structure to be installed within the Garden area and used as an outdoor learning space.
For more information on Girls Inc. go to www.girlsincsb.org
2009-2010 Laguna Cottages for Seniors
As part of the LSBC Curriculum, this year's project involved the creation of yard waste composting facilities on the Laguna Cottages for Seniors campus in downtown Santa Barbara, as well as the creation and implementation of a food scrap composting education and maintenance program for its residence. This sustainable composting program will complement Laguna Cottages' existing energy saving programs and continue their "Big Dream" of being environmentally responsible. The resources will be sustained primarily by the residents for use in their community gardens as well as their own potted plants near their cottages. 
Laguna Cottages for Seniors has been serving Santa Barbara Seniors for over half a century. The community provides affordable housing for elderly citizens with limited finances. For more information go to www.lagunacottagesforseniors.com
The class has prepared both worm bins for food waste and green waste bins for yard waste that the residents will use after the ribbon cutting. Residents will also be provided educational materials on how to maintain a sustainable composting program and will be provided training by a composting expert that day.
This year's Leadership Santa Barbara County class is thrilled that they are able to continue the tradition of supporting non-profit organizations in the community. The idea that local leaders in the community can make a difference in the lives of others has the entire class inspired. The class is excited that they were able to accomplish this project and welcome the community to view their hard work.
2008-2009 Isla Vista Youth Projects
Thank you to all of you who contributed your time, talent and treasure to make the inaugural Leadership Santa Barbara County class project a resounding success. The Leadership Santa Barbara County Board appreciates the dedication of the class of 2008-2009 class and the generous in-kind and financial contributions to IVYP made by friends and graduates of Leadership Santa Barbara County. The partnership of Leadership with the Isla Vista Youth Projects enabled substantial progress in realizing their dream of building and learning in an outdoor classroom.
From Luann Miller, Executive Director of IVYP:
Children in Isla Vista will be able to play on a safer, more interesting playground, thanks to a group project led by Leadership Santa Barbara County. LSBC, a local issue-oriented leadership development program, coordinated the first phase of the playground renovation, which will provide shade, improve aesthetics and create a more natural outdoor classroom environment for children. The playground project is part of a larger agency effort to improve the health and well-being of children by focusing on nutrition, wellness and outdoor play opportunities.
For more information on IVYP please go to www.IVYP.org
The inaugural Leadership Santa Barbara County Class Project assisted the Isla Vista Youth Projects and were supported by the following donors, to whom we are grateful:
  
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Channel City Lumber
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