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January 27, 2011 10:36 PM UTC

Investing in Colorado's Leaders of Tomorrow

  • 20 Comments
  • by: nancycronk



“If not me, who? If not now, when?” ~ Rabbi Hillel

For politicos like us, there are many times we find ourselves sitting in a room full of intelligent, thoughtful, passionate people arguing about politics. We rant, we rave, we get exasperated, and we bemoan. We complain, we beseech, we persuade, and we commiserate.

But rarely do we talk about the obvious.

There is a difference between the Jared Polises, the Michael Bennets, the Ed Perlmutters, the Diana DeGettes, the Joe Garcias, the Rhonda Fields… and the rest of us. It’s not money — they’re not all wealthy. It’s not intelligence. Bloggers and activists are a pretty smart bunch, at least in CO. It’s not free time. If you ask any one of them, they were pretty busy when they decided to run for public office. Like us, they have families and relationships that require tending. It’s not just ambition — some of us here are very ambitious people in other ways.

It’s courage.

Courage to look in the mirror and to say, “I may not be perfect, but I am willing to learn. I’m willing to put my name on a ballot somewhere, and be open to any criticism, comments, or suggestions that come my way.” Courage to turn one’s life over to public service, at even the most basic level, and being willing to face both the headaches — and the glory– that can come with it.

Two of my personal heroes are US Congresswoman Diana DeGette and Dr. Angie Paccione. In 1996, when Diana DeGette first ran for Congress, she was criticized by her opponents for being “a PTO Mom”. Of course, she was also an attorney, but in those days, by dismissing someone as simply “a mother”, they hoped to ruin her political career. Young mothers all over Colorado embraced Diana, and we hung on the success of her election as the symbol of promise and redemption for all of us. When Diana won, she won for young women everywhere. Today, Diana DeGette can boast serving in the CO State legislature for two terms, and as a member of the US Congress for eight terms. She is also the Chief Deputy Whip, and a published international expert on women’s issues and reproductive rights, among other things.

Another Colorado hero, Dr. Anglie Paccione, grew up in the Bronx in a bi-racial family with a single mother. Her self-discipline and persistence made her a basketball star, which enabled her to go to Stanford University, where she studied political science and psychology. When she moved to Denver, she went back to school at DU to become a teacher. After teaching for a number of years, Angie went on to get a MA and a PhD in Education. When Angie was in the voting booth in the 2000 election, she was shocked to see there was not a member of her party runnning in the 4th Congressional District. So, listening to an internal voice which prodded her on to do courageous things, she became a member of the CO House of Representatives for two terms. Angie’s run for the US Congress was a memorable one – despite personal attacks made by her opponent in negative television ads, Angie held her head up high. Today, she travels the world, teaching for an international leadership program.

These women are exceptional for their courage. There are others — men and women who lived quiet lives and then had an epiphany — “If I don’t do it, who will?”

Fortunately for Coloradans, there are places where activists and community leaders can turn for information, encouragement and support to take that next step. On the left, there is the Colorado Institue for Leadership Training (CILT), and the Center for Progressive Leadership (CPL). Because I am familiar with CPL, I would like to share my experience with my friends here, if I may.

The Center for Progressive Leadership is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit, community program designed to nurture, inspire, educate, and prepare progressive women — and men — of all ages, who are courageous enough to stand up for an issue –any issue — and say, “I am willing to learn. I am willing to share my passions, to accept coaching and support, to define my goals, and to face both praise and criticism for my decisions. I am willing to put my name “where my mouth is”, risking my ego in exchange for the possibility of making a huge difference in the lives of others.

The Center for Progressive Leadership is still accepting applications for its 2011 fellowship class, which begins February 26th. (I believe CILT has already started its 2011 year class, but I do not know for sure.) The CPL program lasts nine months, requiring one weekend every other month, and approximately 3-5 hours per week until graduation. There are moments when the programs seems grueling, satisfying, exhilerating, touching, informative, controversial, and profound. The challenges given as assignments push fellows to expand what they always thought they could accomplish, finding strengths they never knew they had, and forging relationships that will serve them a lifetime.

How do I know? I am a proud and enthusiastic graduate of the 2010 Center for Progressive Leadership class.

The program does not end with graduation. The more I put into my experience as a member of the CPL family, the more I will continue to get out of it.

Whether a fellow is thinking about running for Secretary of their homeowners association, a member of their local liquor or fire department board, or President of the United States, the Center for Progressive Leadership (or something like it) may be just the kick in the pants they need. Perhaps they intend to start a non-profit, or a foundation, or build a private school. Whether their issue is giving immigrant children a chance at higher education, ensuring that school children have adequate nutrition, guaranteeing a person’s right to love who they wish, protecting the social safety net for the elderly, or protecting our fragile Colorado eco-systems, CPL (or CILT) can give them the tools to accomplish their dreams.

Being a fellow in a program like CPL is not right for everyone, and not everyone who applies is accepted into the progam. Anyone can contribute, however. Programs like CPL invest many thousands of dollars in each fellow, only asking for a fraction of the cost to be paid in tuition. They’ll gladly take donations, I’m sure. If people can’t contribute, they can volunteer by hosting a fundraiser, or by calling the Interim Director and asking what needs to be done.

CPL stands for the Center for Progressive Leadership. It could also stand for “Courage to Proceed as a Leader”. Whether you support the Center for Progressive Leadership, the Colorado Institute for Leadership Training, or another program, please invest in tomorrow’s leaders.

Be courageous. As they say in the Nike ad, “Just do it”.

http://www.progressiveleaders….

 

***************************

Nancy Cronk is a 2010 graduate of the Center for Progressive Leadership Program in CO. She is not an official representative of the Center for Progressive Leadership (CPL) or Colorado Institute of Leadership Training (CILT). Her opinions are hers, and hers alone.

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20 thoughts on “Investing in Colorado’s Leaders of Tomorrow”

    1. Center for Progressive Leadership? You would make the class very interesting, to say the least. There are very strong passions among many CPL fellows for justice regarding immigration and GLBT issues.

      This particular class, the Class of 2011, has some amazing people in it from the immigrant rights community, and other communities, as well. I don’t know if I am at liberty to say their names since acceptance letters have not all gone out, but the talent of this year’s class is very impressive!

      Ali — in general, thank you for your positive attitude and kindness on the blogs. It is an honor to cyber-know you. I hope we will meet in person one day!

      1. I would LOVE to apply!

        However, in living in LA now, I don’t know if I’d be back in Colorado enough to attend the classes – where can I find the schedule?

        Thank you for thinking of me – if not soon, within the next few years, I would be honored to take this course

        1. The requirements would be quite easy for you to fill, I think. It is 5 weekends over the course of 10 months — roughly one every other month. The link is here: http://www.progressiveleaders….

          There is work to do in between the weekends — a little reading, some networking, some messaging, stuff like that — for people who are interested and engaged in the politicial sphere, it is what many of us do naturally.

          There are a lot of really great people associated with CPL: Terrance Carroll (former Speaker of the House), Karen Middleton (former CO State Rep), Monisha Merchant (CU Regent), and many others. Instructors are top-notch — truly experts in their fields. Our last class had instructors flying in from DC and Arizona, for example. A number of the graduates have gone on to form non-profits organizations, get elected to public office, or to direct existing progressive organization.

          Ali — I would love to see you run for public office again somewhere and win as a Democrat! The combination of fiscally responsible and socially progressive is what wins in Colorado — it’s what voters want. I really think you would love the program, and it could be a boost to your networking and advancement on the Democratic side of the political arena.

          Please let me know what I can do to help you apply. The deadline to apply is Monday. You can start the application and if you need more time, just call Emily or email her at the office and ask for it. You have my number on facebook Ali — call me anytime.

  3. being a political leader requires the same key element that allows one to be a performer of any kind.

    The secret to being a performer is to completely lose your fear of being thought a fool. When you get past that…it’s pretty simple.

    Your involvement in this effort is very commendable. Thanks for the diary.

  4. it serves to counter the “leadership” schools the dark side holds regularly.

    However, it appears to be metro-centric, with few opportunities for young people in far-flung towns across Colorado hard-pressed to do heavy travel even if it is every other month.

    Holding several weekend sessions in other parts of Colorado would serve two purposes: attracting more out-state students, and familiarizing all students with the wonders of our whole state.

    1. last year, we had two weekends in Denver, one in Greeley, and two in Colorado Springs. The whole reason for having weekends is so that people coming from other areas of the state, or in Ali’s case, out of state, can minimize their travel to Denver. (If they were metro-centric, they could have them all in Denver.)

      I think the issues discussed in CPL are statewide, nationwide, even worldwide. How do we educate children in a way that is effective and encourages them to develop to their fullest potential? How do we guarantee the rights of every American — whether they are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Atheist or some other faith? How do we build our economy in ways that lift every American, not just a few? How do we include people from every walk of life, every skin color, every sexual preference or gender identity, in every political conversation and movement, in a way that honors and respects each person, and embraces their different perspectives, rather than dismisses them?

      By definition, progressive means to “go forward”. CPL is about going forward as Coloradans — together.

      1. One more thing, in the 2010 CPL class, we had a number of young people — some who shared rides and sofas — people who came from all over Colorado to learn and to network, because they were passionate about all kinds of progressive issues. One of the great things about being in a group like CPL is people in the class help each other out. The conservatives have done this for decades. Progressives are learning that when we come together from all areas of the state, from different interest communities, and share what we have in common and assist each other in our mutual goals, we are stronger than we would be alone. It is synergistic.  

      2. Or you didn’t, but in that case I’d like to make one.

        The I-25 corridor sees plenty of opportunity to get involved and learn about the process. We really do. Kids from the Western Slope don’t. Not only could we use more “progressive” candidates out there, we also need the perspective.

        So while I’m sure that the issues discussed were, and are, relevant statewide, there are many, many important issues (possibly more important – think water) that are in desperate need of people who truly aren’t any metro-centric. Denver has regular commuters from both the Springs and Greeley.

        And since you tend to over personalize and make everything “you’re either with us or against us”, let me clarify that no one’s taking a hit at the program. Merely making a suggestion to help it be even better.

        1. Point well-taken.

          CPL is only five weekends spread out over ten months, so it has it’s limits to how many places in the state it can be. CILT is another great program — they hold each of their sessions in different places in the state. I have not yet taken CILT, but when my budget allows, I surely will apply (and I suspect I will then be a cheerleader for them as well).

          Peace.

          1. to have graduated from CILT.

            It was a wonderful experience and the sessions around the state were relevant and informative. I’ll never forget learning about agriculture on a farm in southeast Colorado and the complexities associated with the industry.

            We had wonderful speakers, an excellent one described growth patterns in metro-Denver and around the state – and how you can track architectural changes and road patterns based on the decade which the growth occurred. Another time we sat in a county jail, while debating drug and criminal justice policy with those tasked to enforce it.

            In any case, I would encourage anyone who is interested in understanding more about Colorado, other than metro issues, to participate in CILT.  

            A very worthwhile time…

  5. Words in print can convey vastly different meanings than once intended. My tone is friendly — I never saw anything as with or against, really.

    I do get it about statewide issues. I’ve been trying to get my friend Jody Clow to sign up for the program. Jody is an activist on the western slope who kicks tushie. If you have others you want me to persuade to check out the program, I would LOVE to talk to them. I don’t know who you are Droll, or I would tell you to contact me on facebook or look me up in the phonebook. This alumni is happy to talk to anyone about the program, and I strongly encourage people outside of the Denver area to apply!

    Diversity of all kinds is what being progressive is about — political, racial, ethnic, religious, party affiliation, geographic area, etc. I strongly encourage all progressives to apply, Droll.  

    1. Thank you for your comments. I wish I could convey that I am grateful, in tone. I agree with you completely that any leadership program worth its salt needs to be accessible to everyone. That is exactly what CPL believes, as well!

  6. As promised, I read it.

    I often attend legislative town hall meetings, both in my districts (Senator Pat Steadman and Rep. Cherylin Peniston), and I also go out to Aurora and attend the monthly town hall meetings of Sen. Morgan Carroll, Rep. Su Ryden and new member Rep. Rhonda Fields. In addition to these, Morgan Carroll has a monthy morning coffee which I often attend.

    One of the things that I have noticed at these events is the lack of young people. Attendees are usually middle aged to older retirees and it troubles me about the lack of involvement of young people in the political process.

    I got my initiation in politics at the age of 20 when I ran as a delegate for the DNC for George McGovern. Of course the war was the primary impetus for my involvement, but I had the opportunity to get involved because McGovern had opened up his nomination process to ensure proportional participation by the young, minorities, and women after what had happened in Chicago four years earlier. He did it because it was the right thing to do, but unfortunately he paid a price when many in the Democratic establishment failed to support him after he won the nomination.

    Because I was part of that process, because I was given the opportunity to get involved when so many of my generation felt disenfranchised, because of his efforts to open up the party to all and not just older white males, I think this will be McGovern’s most important legacy (at least for me).

    So I would implore young people to get involved in public service in whatever way they feel they can be most effective. When I was young, somebody gave me that opportunity, and I took it. The CPL sounds like a great organization to develop the leadership we need now more than ever.  

  7. Never fear — there are some great youth in Aurora, even if they are not regulars at the events you mentioned! Take Joseph Soto for example, who is still too young to take CPL.

    Joseph, a bi-racial honor student, was the national first runner-up at the Student Congress today. He proposed his first bill at the state capitol (simply put, ‘Gay marriage is legal and valid in Colorado’) at the tender age of 16. The attorneys who counseled him, as well as state legislators he consulted along the way (like Senator Pat Steadman), were blown away at the young man who stood before them (2010). An Obama and OFA intern, Joseph also is on the Aurora Youth Commission, and is a frequent high school debate winner. I could not be more proud of Joseph!

    Joseph and other young people meet with us on Monday evenings at Dora’s Mexican Restaurant, 2406 S. Parker Road between 7-9pm, under the name “Progressive Outreach Colorado”. I don’t know who is coming from week to week, but there is always someone progressive there to visit. Please join us!

    1. are not just about youth though. CPL’s average age is 37. I met someone who took CPL in his 70s. (How old was Ronald Reagan when he ran for office? Answer = old!)

      These programs are about preparing people for something BIGGER than they are doing now — whatever that is for them.

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