Rebuilding or Sunsetting Our Non-Profit

The Board of Directors, with input from alumni, is undertaking the decision to either rebuild or sunset our non-profit, Leadership Santa Barbara County (LSBC). As part of this process we are accepting Board of Director Interest Forms from our alumni community through August 7, 2023.

As you likely know, LSBC has not had a cohort since we canceled the 2021 program due to COVID, and it has been challenging to relaunch the program in a way that befits LSBC’s legacy of providing a transformational leadership experience. In the last several years, the program has been sustained by a small but mighty board of dedicated alumni. Currently, there are six members on the Board of Directors and two of those are needing to step down—needless to say, LSBC is at a crossroads.

With this in mind, we are asking you to help us determine what our next step is. We either need enough alumni to step forward and join the board, allowing us to relaunch, or we will need to sunset the organization. Please complete our Board Interest Form so that we may gauge the interest of our alumni community. With your input, our board plans to make the decision on the future of LSBC by mid-August.

We hope there is enough interest in this great organization so that we can maintain its place in building community in Santa Barbara County, but we recognize the reality that it is difficult to maintain a large board dedicated to running a program without paid staff. We also take comfort in knowing that robust leadership programs will still be offered in our community, for example, Katherine Harvey Fellows at Leading from Within.

If you are interested in becoming a board member and reinvigorating and rebuilding LSBC in 2023, please complete our Board Interest Form by August 7, 2023.

Leadership Santa Barbara County (LSBC) Requests Proposals from Nonprofits: Community Service Project as Part of Local Leadership Training Program

Santa Barbara, CA – Does your nonprofit organization have a project that could benefit from the time, energy and expertise of 25 emerging leaders?  Leadership Santa Barbara County (LSBC), the community leadership development program of the Chamber, seeks proposals from local nonprofits for service projects in Santa Barbara County. The ideal project will have a deep enough scope to engage the entire 25 member class, and the ability to be completed between November 2019 and May 2020.

In addition to planning and executing these projects, LSBC class members have historically raised $5,000-$15,000 and solicited in-kind gifts to support the completion of the projects.  It is expected that the selected nonprofit will supply volunteers and additional funding as needed.

Past class projects include: Chicken Coop for Fairview Gardens Educational Program, Onsite Mini-Libraries for Housing Authority of SB, Structural Improvements and Murals for DAWG, Garden and Mural for Girl’s Inc., Composting at Laguna Cottages, a Playground for Isla Vista Youth Projects, clean up and rehab of outdoor areas at the Goleta Boys & Girls Club, and gardens for Adelante Charter School.

LSBC classes seek projects where they can have a hands-on experience in addition to raising funds and awareness.  The organization that is selected to partner with Leadership Santa Barbara must provide a staff liaison to coordinate with the class member(s).

Proposals Must Be Submitted by Emailing a Completed Application to information@leadsb.org

·       www.leadsb.org/community-service-project 

Please submit all proposals by October 15, 2019. 

About Leadership Santa Barbara’s Class Project

Throughout the year, the class will work 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, in collaboration with the selected nonprofit, as members develop, plan, and execute the effort before May's graduation event. The May topic day unveils the project to the public.

While each year's project will provide 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.  Up to four organizations will be invited to present at the November Skills Day session where the class will use skills acquired that day to choose its project.

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Leadership Santa Barbara County is an issue-oriented nine month leadership development program that offers both emotional intelligence training and in-depth exposure to pressing community issues.  Gaining a working knowledge of local issues and of vital community projects is essential to ensure seamless coordination of thousands of concerned citizens' efforts. LSBC participants develop the skills and vision needed to successfully maintain our quality of life and to lead our county into the future.  Conflict resolution, consensus building, working with the Media, organizing meetings, conducting focus groups, and public speaking are some of many skills LSBC participants have the opportunity to practice.  The program is open to anyone who lives, works, or attends school in Santa Barbara County.

The Chamber of the Santa Barbara Region is a leader in Creating a Strong Local Economy, Providing Networking Opportunities, Promoting the Community, Representing the Interests of Business with Government, and Political Action.  To join the Chamber or find out more, check out our website at www.sbchamber.org, or contact Stephanie Armstrong at (805) 965-3023.

Stephanie Armstrong, Interim President/CEO, The Chamber of the Santa Barbara Region, 805/965-3023, stephanie@sbchamber.org

Leadership Community Service Project Recognized

The Leadership Santa Barbara County Class of 2013 in front of one of the Little Outdoor Libraries they helped construct with partner, Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara. 

Little Outdoor Library initiative, an effort by the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara, was recognized by the National Association of Housing and Development Officials with an Award of Excellence. The project was a focus of Leadership Santa Barbara County's 2013-2014 class Community Service Project. 

For more information on the award and the Little Libraries project, see the Noozhawk article.

Leadership Santa Barbara County Requests Proposals for Community Service Projects

Does your nonprofit organization have a project that could benefit from the time, energy and expertise of 25 emerging leaders?  Leadership Santa Barbara County (LSBC), a local leadership development program, seeks proposals from local nonprofits for service projects in southern Santa Barbara County. The ideal project will have a deep enough scope to engage the entire 25 member class, and the ability to be completed between November 2015 and May 2016. 

In addition to planning and executing these projects, LSBC class members have historically raised $5,000-$10,000 and solicited in-kind gifts to support the completion of the projects.  It is expected that the selected nonprofit will supply volunteers and additional funding as needed.

Past class projects include: Chicken Coop for Fairview Gardens Educational Program, Onsite Mini-Libraries for Housing Authority of SB, Structural Improvements and Murals for DAWG, Garden and Mural for Girl’s Inc., Composting at Garden Court, and Playground for Isla Vista Youth Projects.

LSBC classes seek projects where they can have a hands-on experience in addition to raising funds and awareness.  The organization that is selected to partner with Leadership Santa Barbara must provide a staff liaison to coordinate with the class member(s). 

Proposals Must Be Submitted Through an Online Application at: http://fluidsurveys.com/surveys/lsbc-8/lsbc-community-service-project-application/ 

Please submit all proposals by November 2, 2015.  The top four proposals will be invited to make a 10-minute pitch to the LSBC class on November 13, 2015.

About Leadership Santa Barbara’s Class Project
Throughout the year, the class will work 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, in collaboration with the selected nonprofit,  as members develop, plan, and execute the effort before May’s graduation event. The May topic day unveils the project to the public.

While each year’s project will provide 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.  Up to four organizations will be invited to present at the November Skills Day session where the class will use skills acquired that day to choose its project.