SESSION DATES
| Date |
Session/Activity |
Location |
| 1. Oct 1-2, 2010 |
Session 1: Leadership/ Tourism/ Economy |
Key West |
| 2. Nov 5,6,7, 2010 |
Session 2: Everglades/ Environment |
Everglades |
| 3. Dec 3, 2010 |
Session 3: Government/ Education/ Real Estate |
Marathon |
| 4. Jan 7, 2011 |
Session 4: Law and Military |
Key West |
| 5. Feb 4, 2011 |
Session 5: Health and Social Services |
Tavernier |
| 6. March 11, 2011 |
Session 6: Emergency Management |
Marathon |
Date TBD |
Florida Keys Day (optional) |
Tallahassee |
| 7. April 15, 16 2011 |
Session 7: Media/ Arts/ Leadership/ Graduation |
Key West |
The following is a synopsis of topics covered in recent Leadership Monroe classes. Topics are chosen for each class based on prominent issues of the day in the Florida Keys.
Leadership Retreat
The opening retreat introduces students to leadership and personality profiling concepts. The class will examine the differences we have as individuals and how divergent viewpoints and styles can contribute to the cohesiveness of a group.
Refining personal skills and learning to draw out the best in each individual in a group are among the goals of this session, as well as providing an overall introduction to the program and acquaint class members with each other.
Tourism and the Economy
This session includes an overview of the Monroe County economy. The class will review Keys’ current and potential issues that impact our economy. The class will learn about tourism trends in Monroe County and gain insight on the inner workings of the Tourist Development Council.
Nonprofit Sector
An overview of the importance of the nonprofit sector to our economy will likely be highlighted. This sector of the economy has proven crucial to the providing of many human services needs and, in some instances, has taken over the role of government.
Property Taxes
The class will generally get an overview of the role that property taxes play in providing services at the county and local level. Examination will include the political battles that are waged in controlling increases in such taxes while maintaining the level of services that the public expects and demands.
Environment
This session will focus on the role the environment plays in local business, public decision making and quality of life. Experts from biological, ecological and research disciplines will help participants understand our surrounding ecosystem. This session usually includes guided nature tours in Everglades National Park and the opportunity to see many endangered at-risk and unique species of flora and fauna in their natural habitat.
Efforts to make the Keys “greener” and the ongoing challenges of our wastewater issues and those effects on our environment will be highlighted.
Judicial System
The class will first examine the local civil and criminal justice system through dialogue with judges, attorneys and other law enforcement officials. Normally included is a tour of a detention facility and examination of the community-oriented policing philosophy.
The Military
The role of the Navy, the Coast Guard, and Homeland Security in the Keys and their impact on Monroe County is addressed, both from an historical perspective and the current homeland security requirements given our proximity to Cuba. The ongoing effort to control the flow of illegal drugs into our country is examined. Emphasis is placed on how much the military contributes to the Keys’ tax base
Emergency Management
An overview of Emergency Services, county-wide, will be provided – including Key West, Marathon and Islamorada. You will be part of the decision making process as a hurricane approaches and explore how it effects the Keys mentally and economically.
You will meet local and national leaders involved in the decision making. You will get a first hand overview of what it takes to operate a fire station by touring the City of Marathon’s new fire station, participating in a vehicle extraction and participating in a simulated fire exercise. Experience the medical transportation of a critical trauma patient on our state of the art helicopter “Trauma Star".
Health and Social Services
Medical and health services issues directly affecting Monroe County will be addressed. Challenges and barriers encountered by consumers, providers and third party payers will be explored. County-wide health services will be presented and a tour of a health facility is included.
Land Use
Local officials will discuss the authority of local, county, state and federal agencies in controlling use of the most precious and scarce resource in the Keys – land. The session generally evaluates how we are doing in striking a balance between development needs and conserving this scarce commodity.
Housing
What does the term “Affordable Housing” mean in the Keys? Isn’t it really workforce housing that is in need of attention? As the economy ebbs and flows and the characteristics of the new home buyer changes, how are the public and private sectors responding to the trends in meeting our housing needs?
Sessions on this topic seek to provide often elusive solutions to an issue that is further compounded by differing perspectives, dependent upon where one lives in the Keys.
Education
Lifelong education will be the focus of this session. Participants will analyze the challenges and opportunities facing the educational system.
An overview of elementary, secondary and postsecondary systems in place will be presented, as well as non-traditional and ancillary programs that support education in our county. Examination of budget issues and a tour of a school facility are also included.
Government
The Government segment offers an in-depth look at the legislative system that impacts local residents, the complexities of governing in today’s regulatory environment, and issues currently facing public decision makers at the local and county level.
History
Examination of early settlements to current events will trace the colorful history of the Keys. This session identifies the movers and shakers who, past and present have shaped the character of the Keys. You’ll indeed be exposed to some “characters.”
The Arts and The Media
The Arts are examined for their historical, cultural, social and economic impact on the Florida Keys. Leaders in the non-profit and private arts sectors, and creative industries, demonstrate the contribution from the performing, literary and visual arts, and detail the opportunities and challenges for development as advocates and policy makers.
The Media performs a crucial role in the civic life of our communities. Providing timely, relevant information and news, to engage and cultivate a civic awareness is central to the responsibilities of the Media. Representatives from the leading local print, online, and broadcast organizations provide insights on their unique challenges to deliver the news, about fostering digital literacy, and the public's role in establishing accountability.
Culture
The class will be immersed in the rich cultural aspects of the Florida Keys. The session generally includes a tour of one or more of the Keys’ top cultural attractions.
Leadership/Steps to a Performing Community
The program wrap-up usually includes identification of the phases of the group’s behavior as it has learned to work collaboratively.
The group will work together to develop strategies whereby the class individually and collectively can go out and be a part of the problem-solving process through active participation at some level of government or as a key player in the private or nonprofit sectors to help the Keys reach its potential.
