I’m excited to announce a new local group that I’ve helped found in Muncie along with Brandon Coppernoll and BJ McKay – LeadershipBoard.org.  Last week we appeared at our first public event – Converge 2011 at the Horizon Convention Center.   Today, I’m doing a three-part series on LeadershipBoard.org.

To kick the day off and to bring you up to speed on what we’re about, I simply cut and pasted our About page below. ( I wrote it, so why not!)  I’d love for you to check out the site, if you’re a resident of Muncie we’ll find a way to put your feet on the ground and start making connections and a difference.  If you’re not a resident of Muncie, I’d still love for you to join our discussion on the site or facebook.

Our Vision

A community overflowing with young, professional leaders addressing serious issues.

Our Mission

To grow and connect future leaders and harness their individual skills into an unstoppable force of good.

Grow

What do you want to get better at?  The Leadership Board is a peer-to-peer education resource that can help you grow your skills.  Tap into our community and make leadership development happen in your world.

Become a community leader and advocate by doing the things you love:

• social media
• civic engagement
• public speaking
• writing
• design
• marketing
• event planning

Connect

Did you ever think what would’ve happened if Batman never had Robin? At some point all of our utility belts are missing the utility that we need.  To strengthen our careers and missions we need to connect with others who are strong where we are weak.

So, you’re not a millionaire playboy with a penchant for dressing in tights? No problem. The Leadership Board unites Batmans and Robins.

Peer-to-peer education resource

Online and face-to-face the Leadership Board connects leaders through upcoming events, engaging presenters and workshops. The Leadership Board is a network of do-gooders. We are  mentors for mentors and where leaders turn for direction.

Harness

The Leadership Board harnesses its members abilities and laser-focuses them on issues in our community.  We raise funds and awareness, inspire others to give back and develop mentors.

Our Pilot Initiative

Researchers found that after 18 months of spending time in the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program, the Little Brothers and Little Sisters, compared to those children not in the program were:

• 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
• 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
• 52% less likely to skip school
• 37% less likely to skip a class
• 33% less likely to hit someone

Mentoring matters. It makes a difference.  Yet in the Muncie community their are 30 little boys waiting for matches. Some of them will wait for two years before being matched.

This is unacceptable.

We know how fun and rewarding being a Big can be. There should be a waiting list to be a mentor, and we won’t rest until that happens.