15 October 2002 Rural leadership course funded for 2003 – applications open now

The value of encouraging sound leadership in the rural sector has been confirmed again by New Zealand's Primary Industry Council through its renewal of funding for the well-known Kellogg Rural Leadership programme at Lincoln University.

The Primary Industry Council is a group made up of CEOs and Chairs of the Meat, Dairy, Wool, Pipfruit, Zespri and Game Industry boards and its support means there will be a Kellogg Course in 2003 – a joint venture between Lincoln University and the Council. It will be the 19th in the series since the programme started in 1979, and applications are open now.

The Kellogg Rural Leadership Course is designed for people who have proven their commitment to rural New Zealand and shown a willingness to take on leadership roles.

The specific objective is to improve skills and abilities in the many dimensions of leadership.

Course participants, up to 24 each year, are selected on their demonstrated willingness to assume responsibility in public and rural affairs and evidence of leadership potential. They are people involved in the rural sector, or those who provide services for rural society.

Sponsorship, initially from the Kellogg Foundation in the United States (hence the name of the programme) and more recently from the Primary Industry Council, has enabled the Lincoln University organisers to keep costs down. The scholars do, however, pay for their accommodation and transport to and from Lincoln and Wellington.

The course has three parts –

Phase 1 (28 January - 5 February 2003) an intensive residential programme held at Lincoln University focusing on improving the leadership skills and knowledge of the participants.

Phase 2 (bulk of the year, in participant's own time) researching and compiling a report on a topic of the person's own choice, with assistance from Lincoln University staff.

Phase 3 (17-22 November) starts at Lincoln University with the formal presentation of the research reports to other course members and University staff. The scholars then travel to Wellington to meet influential people in New Zealand's social, political and economic areas. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss "making things happen in Wellington" and to interview key rural and industry leaders about the practical nature of leadership.

Lincoln University initiated the Kellogg programme in 1979 because it recognised that leadership would be a critical factor in the future performance of the primary production sector in New Zealand. There are now over 430 Kellogg Scholars in the rural sector countrywide and many have become well-known names nationally and some internationally.

Despite the "brain drain" most have made a commitment to New Zealand and put personal investments of time and energy into their local communities.

For application details contact Cora Baillie, Professional Development Group, Lincoln University, phone (03) 3253832, fax (03) 3253685, email baillec@lincoln.ac.nz.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.