January 17-18, 2002

December 13, 2001 Draft

LEADERSHIP COLLEGE

A place to build working relationships for a better Montana

Mission

Provide at varying locations every year training in the mechanics of serving in elected office for existing and newly elected officials, people running for public office and those who interact with government, and provide forums for the round table discussion of various public policy problems and possible solutions.

Administration

An initial governing board, not to exceed 20 members, shall be named from interested parties representing the executive and legislative branches, K-12 education, higher education, tribal and local governments, labor and business leaders, and any other like stakeholders. The governing board shall appoint a Dean and provide advice from time to time on the operation the Leadership College. Vacancies on the governing board shall be filled with a like representative. The Leadership College shall maintain its independence.

Dean of the Leadership College

The Dean, upon consultation with the governing board, shall establish the curriculum, arrange for faculty, and set the location, duration and schedule of sessions around the state. The Dean will name a moderator for each session to ensure it stays on schedule.

Faculty

The faculty may be drawn from former and existing elected officials, governing board members or their nominees, and other people capable of providing the desired instruction.

Budget & Funding Source

Budget must cover a part time person to serve as Dean and expenses necessary to conduct the business of the Leadership College. Compensation would not be provided to faculty or students, expenses may be reimbursed for faculty. Sessions would be held on college or university campuses who would be asked to provide logistical support.

Business, government, foundations and individuals are sources of funding.

Curriculum

The Leadership College would teach everything from basic duties and procedure to complex funding formulas and government structure. It would help combat the loss of institutional knowledge due to term limits, provide an open forum for the exchange of information and build working relationships in and between all levels of government and those who interact with government. Students will be free to attend various classes offered during each session of the Leadership College and will be encouraged to attend future session held at other locations. The flexibility and variety of the curriculum will be determined by areas of interest and the judgment of the Dean in consultation with the governing board.

Roundtable

The Dean, after consulting with the governing board, shall set a roundtable discussion concurrent with each session of the Leadership College to discuss specific public policy problems and possible solutions. Eg, economic development, education, tax reform, energy...