LINCOLN, NEB. (April 14, 2005)--What is a sure-fire way that you can help enhance your community's future? By taking part in an upcoming interactive and informal workshop designed to help you and teams of other community and volunteer leaders:

• develop and strengthen local and regional-based leadership.
• explore effective sustainable community and economic development strategies.
• develop priorities and programs while building community consensus.
• implement plans and projects that engage human and financial resources.

The nationally-recognized Heartland Center for Leadership Development in Lincoln developed the curriculum and is leading the workshop, which is specifically designed to engage community and development leaders in cities and towns affiliated with the Nebraska Community Improvement Program, and Rural Community Development Initiative.

The workshop will be offered 10 a.m.-4 p.m. CST:

April 25--Sidney, Western Nebraska Community College
April 26--McCook, McCook Community College
April 27--Grand Island, Central Community College
May 9--Norfolk, Northeast Community College
May 10--Bassett, Bassett Senior Center
May 12--Beatrice, Southeast Community College

A follow-up workshop will be held 10 a.m.-4 p.m. CST to track participant's progress:

Sept. 21--Norfolk, Northeast Community College
Sept. 22--Bassett, Bassett Senior Center
Oct. 4--Grand Island, Central Community College
Oct. 5--Beatrice, Southeast Community College
Nov. 3--Gering, Gering Civic Center

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development sponsor the spring and fall workshops.

The deadline to register for spring training is April 20. Register online at: http://crd.neded.org/training

For information, contact Kathy McKillip at 800-426-6505, 402-471- 6587, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Kathy McKillip at 800-426-6505, 402-471-6587, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it