| The aim of this study was to address the question "What is the process individuals go through in developing leadership skills that will contribute to the sustainability of their community?" This is a living case study of a community leadership development program. The program, Gillette Area Leadership Institute (GALI), is based in a community reliant upon the natural resources of the community to drive the community's economy. These natural resources include oil, coal, and coal bed methane.; As a qualitative research project, the approach of action research was used based upon a case study, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis. The data were gathered throughout the researcher's participation in a community leadership program, through semi-structured interviews, and through analysis of the curriculum of a variety of leadership development programs. The leadership development programs provided for a broad spectrum of analysis and included community leadership, leadership for women, education for sustainable development and environment, and skill development. This analysis was further enhanced by Evolutionary Systems Design.; The alumni of GALI who participated in this project defined what they observed through their participation in GALI, their perceptions of how leadership "gets things done" in the community, and if the tenets of sustainable development would be accepted in the community. They described how they observed community leadership that inspires and motivates others in becoming leaders.; The findings of this study are presented within the context of the Transtheoretical Leadership Model. The proposed improvements to the leadership program are framed within the context of the GALI participant's knowledge of sustainable development, leadership and the community. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
