FOCUS ON LEADERSHIP: How do rural leaders emerge? December 10, 2014

On the surface, the leadership situation in many rural communities is easy to describe: From city councils to festival committees to 4-H clubs, there just aren’t enough leaders.

But beneath the surface, what’s actually happening is not so obvious. Why are these leadership positions not filled? Have we always struggled to have enough leaders in rural places, or has something significant changed?

And once we understand what’s actually happening, what can rural communities do to address the challenge?

This is what Prairie Idea Exchange participants explored in December. The ideas they came up with directed most of the stories that follow.

Read on, and see if their answers about “What’s happening?” and “What’s possible?” in their communities matches what you know about your own community. We want your voice included in this conversation as well: Look for the invitation at the end of the articles, or go to
www.pie4.us to share your stories and ideas.

We’ll reshare your “fruitful” ideas (since we’re talking about PIE) in the March/April issue of Dakotafire.