FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 25, 2011

Steps to Leadership Speaker’s Network Launched

(GUELPH, ON) – Finding the right keynote speaker or workshop facilitator for meetings and events can be challenging for organizations and communities, as well as an expense.  Enter the recently launched Steps to Leadership Speaker’s Network which consists of a directory of qualified speakers and facilitators, along with a funding program to provide financial support for local or provincial events, workshops or conferences.

The Steps to Leadership Speaker’s Network is a great opportunity for rural and agricultural community and provincial organizations to tap into a wide range of speakers focusing on various leadership topics for events in Ontario.  Within the directory are speakers and facilitators whose specialties include: group dynamics and conflict resolution; effective decision making; youth engagement and empowering young people; governance and organizational expertise; as well as a number of other contemporary issues of importance to those in rural Ontario.

“Not only do we already have a great lineup of speakers and facilitators in our directory,” said Alicia Evans, project manager of leadership programs at the Rural Ontario Institute, “we are excited that rural and agricultural organizations and community groups can now access funding support when hiring a speaker from our Steps to Leadership Speaker’s Network.”

The Steps to Leadership Speakers’ Network can provide eligible community groups or organizations with up to $1000.00 to cover up to 75% of the costs directly associated with hiring a speaker (including speaker fees, transportation, and accommodation).  Funding will be provided to eligible organizations on a first-come first-served basis and priority will be given to applicants with events that will have wide community outreach.  Details of this program can be found at http://www.stepstoleadership.ca/speakers-bureau/.

Experienced speakers and facilitators who are interested in sharing their expertise with rural and agricultural communities and organizations in Ontario should consider joining the Steps to Leadership Speaker’s Network.

Steps to Leadership:

Steps to Leadership involves programming and resource tools aimed at significantly boosting leadership skills and capacity for agricultural and rural organizations and communities across Ontario. Steps to Leadership is a collaboration of the Rural Ontario Institute, 4-H Ontario and the Foundation for Rural Living. Funding is provided in part by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Adaptation Council.
www.stepstoleadership.ca

Rural Ontario Institute:

Rural Ontario Institute is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization that encourages a positive future for rural Ontario with vision, voice and leadership.
www.ruralontarioinstitute.ca

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For further information, please contact:
Alicia Evans  
Project Manager – Steps to Leadership 
Rural Ontario Institute
aevans@ruralontarioinstitute.ca  
(519) 826-4204 ext 225        

Kathie MacDonald
Communications Manager
Rural Ontario Institute       
kmacdonald@ruralontarioinstitute.ca 
(519) 826-4204 ext 223