>.A9>+).6! E:*/9'?!O:(3*5'!:<!R*<:3)5/+:*!>.A9*:':7?! Contents: Page 1 Ponsella Hardaway, Doug Craven and Don Nugent join the GLLA Board of Governors page 3 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 We thank the outgoing board members for their service to the program. Kevin Kirk, 2010 LAP graduate, has recently announced that he will run for State Representative Luke Meerman named Volunteer of the Month by Michigan Farm Bureau The Little Traverse Bay Protection and Restoration Fund continues to receive financial support Welcome New Board of Governors Members We proudly welcome three new members to the Board of Governors: Ponsella Hardaway, Doug Craven and Don Nugent. Ponsella graduated from the Leadership Advancement Program in 2010. She is the Executive Director of MOSES (Metropolitan Organizing Strategy Enabling Strength). MOSES is a group of diverse congregations that works to organize communities, develop leaders and build relationships to advocate for social justice in Metro Detroit and around the world. Doug Craven also graduated from the Leadership Advancement Program in 2010. Doug is the Natural Resource Director of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians (Read more about the Little Traverse Bay Protection and Restoration Fund, page 5). Don Nugent is former President and CEO of Graceland Fruit Company, one of the largest single providers of infused fruits and vegetables in the world. He was also a member and past chair of the MSU Board of Trustees.Don participated in Group II of the Kellogg Farmer Study Program. These three individuals have been impactful leaders in their communities and a huge asset to our state. Their diverse set of skills and experiences and backgrounds will be essential to the successes of the board and to our program. We look forward to Ponsella, Doug and Don s involvement with the GLLA in the years to come.
Thank You to Outgoing Board Members The GLLA would not be what it is today without the outstanding members of the Governing Board. As we say good-bye to important members of this group, we would like to acknowledge their dedication to serving on the Board. Thank you to Frank Ettawageshik, Bill Rustem, Dan Wyant and Joshua Wunsch. Frank Ettawageshik is a multigenerational visionary. He brought a perspective to the board that extended beyond his lifetime. He is the Tribal Chairman of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians. Frank has accumulated the leadership lessons of past generations and is able to convey the importance of those lessons onto untold future generations. Bill Rustem served an important role as the board s first chairman and bringing the Board together during its beginning stages. Bill is the Director of Strategy to Governor Rick Snyder. His career in Michigan government has provided him with a perspective that was greatly needed to the Board. Dan Wyant joined the Board during the first few years after its implementation when he was President and Chief Operating Officer of the Edward Lowe Foundation. He is currently the director of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. His experiences gave him a tremendous amount to bring to the table during his term on the board. Josh Wunsch was a member of the Michigan Agriculture Leadership Program and represented production agriculture and the earlier leadership program participants. Josh owns and operates a fruit farm in Northern Michigan and is a former Michigan Farm Bureau Board member. He served as a sounding board for the original GLLA program design and on the nominating committee. The amount that that these four individuals have done to insure continuity of program objectives is immeasurable. Frank, Bill, Dan and Josh have helped build the foundation of the GLLA through their diverse perspectives, creativity and commitment. They will most certainly be missed, and we thank them for their outstanding service to the Board of Governors and their continual dedication to this program. Other changes to the board came when Keith Creagh representing Neogen Inc resigned from the Board as he became Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. When Rodney Stokes was appointed Director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources by the Snyder administration he appointed Gary Hagler, Chief of the Law Enforcement Division as the GLLA Board representative from MDNR. 2
We continue to learn every day. If we don t challenge ourselves to learn something new everyday, then we are wasting our brains. Kevin and his wife, Dana Sue ~Kevin Kirk Kevin Kirk: State Representative Candidate Kevin Kirk decided to participate in the Leadership Advancement Program for the 2009-2010 Session to build an important foundation. This is something he sees as essential as he makes his next career move: running for State Representative. He would represent the 93 rd District, which includes his home, Clinton County, where he owns and operates a crop and livestock farm. During his experience with the Great Lakes Leadership Academy, Kevin gained invaluable skills that would be essential to the position of State Representative. The sessions helped Kevin build his capacity as a team player and come up with a unified decision within a group. I don t have all the answers, says Kevin. The LAP program taught Kevin to be a better listener and gain a wider perspective from team members. Kevin believes that one of the biggest issues in the 93 rd district is wind energy. With his LAP cohort, Kevin focused on studying renewable energy and explored systems that would help Michigan lessen our dependence on foreign oil. If elected, Kevin will continue to push for the expansion of renewable energy sources throughout the state. Kevin encourages others to participate in the Great Lakes Leadership Academy, and found it to be an immensely valuable experience. As State Representative, he would continue to demonstrate thoughtful and responsible leadership practices. 3
Luke Meerman awarded MFB Volunteer of the Month Congratulations to Luke Meerman for being named Michigan Farm Bureau s November 2011 Volunteer of the Month. Luke is a member of the 2011-2012 Leadership Advancement Program. This recognition is awarded to individuals for their exceptional involvement in Farm Bureau Programs. Luke was selected for his efforts to educate the community about agriculture through a variety of public outreach topics. Luke is a fourth generation dairy farmer in Ottawa County and a member of Ottawa County Farm Bureau s Board of Directors. He leads the organization s media and public relations efforts. Through organizing events and farm tours, Luke has worked to bridge the gap between farmers and the non-farm public. One of his most notable efforts was coordinating the county s first Breakfast on the Farm Event at Elzinga s Daybreak Dairy. The event was a huge success, drawing in a crowd of over 1,500 and gave attendees the opportunity to learn about where their food comes from. With the support of his wife, Vicky, and their five children, Luke has made a powerful impact on his community and Michigan farmers. According to his Volunteer of the Month nominator, "Luke deserves recognition for his steady and neverending ideas and positive attitude toward his farm, family and Farm Bureau. He does this by always having a positive and encouraging manner." Read more about Luke and MFB Volunteer of the Month at: http://www.michfb.com If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader ~ John Quincy Adams 4
Contributions to the bay fund can be made payable to the Petoskey- Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, 616 Petoskey St., Suite 300, Petoskey, Mich. 49770 Contributions Being Made to the Little Traverse Bay Protection and Restoration Fund Since his graduation from the LAP program in 2010, Doug Craven has made significant progress with environmental projects as the Natural Resource Director of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians. He is proud to announce the success of the Little Traverse Bay Protection and Restoration Fund. The fund was established to provide financial support to maintain and protect the Little Traverse Bay and its watershed. The CMS Land Company initiated the fund with a contribution of $250,000. CMS has also promised to make another $250,000 contribution if the community matches the initial grant by the end of 2011. Since then, an additional $200,000 has been provided from businesses such as Boyne Resorts and Plunkett Cooney Law Firm. The Little Traverse Bay Watershed Protection Plan will serve as a guide for the fund. The main goals of the plan are: Work with local governments, businesses, and individuals to reduce pollution from storm water. Improve both warm and cold water fishing by reducing contaminant input to the watershed. Protect and restore wetlands and vegetation along rivers and streams to provide shade and wildlife cover. Repair erosion problem areas on stream banks and shorelines. Ensure safe recreation by protecting water quality. An advisory committee comprising of numerous local organizations developed the plan to ensure that the Little Traverse Bay waters will be restored and protected. 5
GLLA Staff and Board of Governors wish you all a very blessed holiday season and a new year filled with opportunities to serve as dynamic leaders in your communities, organizations, places of work, and families + Great Lakes Leadership Academy 109 Agriculture Hall East Lansing, MI 48824-1039 517/ 432/ 8685 phone 517/ 353/ 5406 fax www.glla.msu.edu