Purpose
A dynamic, progressive community requires leadership of the highest order. Community Leadership San Jose (CLSJ) identifies emerging leaders within the San Jose metropolitan area and exposes them to a broad range of issues vital to the community. Through contact with a variety of experts, participants expand their leadership skills, knowledge and influence on their community. Community Leadership is an educational forum that includes interaction with other members of the class, guest speakers and the area’s top decision-makers — people who are shaping the San Jose of tomorrow. It is an opportunity to understand how San Jose works and to build a network that encompasses the many aspects of our community’s affairs. To achieve its purposes, CLSJ:

• identifies and motivates potential business and community leaders;
• acquaints participants with community issues;
• offers various processes for dealing with San Jose’s needs and opportunities;
• challenges San Jose’s future leaders to more effective community involvement, and
• offers opportunities and processes to enhance personal growth.

What community leaders are saying. . .

“The Junior League of San Jose trains their incoming president for 18 months prior to her taking office. One of the major components of this training is participation in Community Leadership San Jose, where she gains understanding of the greater San Jose community. Additionally, she acquires new leadership skills, makes connections and learns about resources available to her and the League.”   — Dawn Bussey ('07), 2008 president, Junior League of San Jose

The Program
Community Leadership participants develop their own leadership skills and knowledge through a series of monthly sessions held the third Thursday of each month, September–May, followed by graduation. The length of each session is one full day and focuses on topics including:

• Leadership Skills
• San Jose’s History
• State and Local Government
• Business and the Economy
• Health Care
• Criminal Justice
• Human Services
• Education and Media
• Ethics of Leadership
• Nonprofit Board Service

Community Leadership offers new learning opportunities in an atmosphere that stimulates participants to work collaboratively. It does not advocate particular philosophies or responses. Rather, it seeks to present the views of a variety of experts in the area of discussion for each class session. The success of CLSJ is measured not in specific projects, but in the imagination, fervor and dedication with which members of the class participate.