Sixteen North Dakotans spent the last year learning the skills to become effective leaders.

They are the members of the Rural Leadership North Dakota program’s third class. The class is half way through the two-year North Dakota State University Extension Service program that began in October 2007.

“Year one of RLND has been a great experience,” says class member Richard Blahut, an owner and partner in Tiedman Blahut Creative LLC, Berthold. “It’s going to be fun and rewarding to see how this group of talented people harnesses the resources and knowledge gained from the program to better their communities and enroll others into community service.”

The program participants are from farms, ranches and rural communities throughout the state. During the program, they will attend 10 in-state workshops, plus take a six-day study tour to Washington, D.C., and a four-day trip to Canada, to develop the ability to overcome challenges that face rural North Dakota. They’ll learn to think critically and creatively, communicate effectively, use technology, and understand agricultural and rural policy with the goal of improving the quality of life for themselves, their community and the organization they represent. They’ll also implement a project that benefits their organization, community or region.

“I feel that the RLND experience is probably the best learning experience I have had to date, with the inspiring speakers, hands-on training, colleague interaction and visual experiences of other programs in the state,” says Mountrail County Extension agent and class member Jim Hennessy.

The class has attended five seminars. Participants have gained knowledge about:

• Different personalities and some of the characteristics of those personalities
• Composing effective presentations
• Communicating with the news media
• How people communicate nonverbally
• The importance of listening and critical thinking in effective communication
• The value of building coalitions and partnerships
• The nuances of community organization
• How the world’s economy affects rural communities
• The characteristics and strategies of a successful community
• Entrepreneurship and economic opportunities in North Dakota

The class also developed a mission statement: fueling relationships that elevate North Dakota to unprecedented opportunities in a changing world.

“RLND provides the springboard for innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership development from all corners of the state,” says class member Sandy Arends, program administrator at the Southeast Human Service Center in Fargo. “North Dakota stands to benefit immeasurably from this fine program and I am very proud to be part of it.”

Forty-one North Dakotans have graduated from RLND, which began in November 2003. Projects they created to improve their community include a handicapped-accessible playground and an eight-plex multifamily housing unit in Watford City, new swimming pool in New England, visitors center in Dawson, campgrounds and marked trails for horse riders in Stutsman County, exhibits showcasing Ellendale area artists and a promotional effort encouraging Carrington area residents to support their local businesses.

“The RLND experience creates energy in participants and their community,” says Marie Hvidsten, program director. “This energy moves into action as RLND participants and alumni work to strengthen their community.”

For more information about RLND, visit its Web site at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/rlnd/ or contact Hvidsten at (701) 231-5803 or marie.hvidsten@ndsu.edu.

NDSU Agriculture Communication