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(35) A Minnesota Environmental Education Leadership Initiative: A Model Program Design and Partnership
Nathan J. Meyer, University of Minnesota Extension, Cloquet MN
Barbara K. Radke, University of Minnesota Extension, Cloquet MN
Michael J. Kennedy, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Duluth MN
Session: Concurrent session B4: Increasing Leadership and Community Capacity
Effectively addressing the public call for knowledge and help in making informed decisions about natural resources requires a strong leadership within communities of environmental education. This presentation will describe formative design elements of the Minnesota Environmental Education Leadership Initiative (MEELI) - a model collaboration between the University of Minnesota Extension and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to create professional development and support programming to 1) identify young educators with leadership potential, 2) cultivate their leadership traits and management skills, 3) introduce them to new and mature leaders in environmental education/related fields, 4) support their increasing roles in guiding Minnesota environmental education. The initiative focuses on community-level leadership development in environmental education.
The structure and focus of the initiative is guided through research-based needs assessment. An online/written instrument was adapted from the Human Action Model-derived Analyzing Leadership Elements in a Community to measure professionals’ perceptions of key attributes for sustained action in their MN environmental education community – meaning, mission, structure, power, resources and existence. Professionals are also encouraged through a variety of opportunities to complete the Dimensions of Leadership Profile®, which provides a measure of common ways that leadership finds expression among community members. Coursework and support services will be tailored to address weaker elements of the community and the creation of balanced leadership.
MEELI is being promoted through a strong online presence, state advisory boards, professional associations, and introductory personal leadership workshops. Partners are concurrently developing a community-leadership development cohort program based on successful MN Extension program models. Leadership development and strategic planning resources will also be available for MN environmental education organizations.
Nathan J. Meyer
University of Minnesota Extension
Regional Center
Cloquet
179 University Road.
Cloquet, MN 55720 USA
Phone: 218.726.6473
Fax: 218.879.0857
Email: meyer179@umn.edu