L eade r s hip L a k e l a n d A lum n i A ssociat ion WO W- Hav e Yo u H e a r d A b out It ?
To assist with any of these
projects or get involved in
Leadership Lakeland Alumni
Association’s outreach
committee, contact Lisa
Oliver at 863.838.6691.
Outreach
and community
involvement are
important aspects
of the Leadership
Lakeland Alumni
Association
(LLAA). Last year,
the organization
created the WOW
(Worthy Outreach
Work) Program as an
additional element
to its community
involvement. The
purpose of the
program is threefold:
1) to encourage
any alumnus to
get involved by
nominating a
nonprofit organization
and its specified
20 | F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S
need or project, 2) to
utilize the expertise,
manpower and funding
assistance of the
alumni association
to support the need
or project of the
non-profit and 3)
to encourage LLAA
members and the
community to support
the project with a
contribution of their
time or financial
support. WOW
applications were
due April 1st and
nine organizations
in our community
submitted projects for
consideration.
The alumni
association’s advisory
board, comprised of
past presidents of
the organization, was
given the responsibility
of making this year’s
selections. This
team of community
leaders used several
criteria in the selection
process. One of the
most important factors
was the project’s
alignment with LLAA’s
mission statement - “to
provide extraordinary
learning experiences,
inspire community
participation
and leadership
and cultivate and
invigorate leaders in
Lakeland.” Scope of
community outreach,
as well as time and
financial commitment
were considered.
This year, two worthy
organizations were
selected. LLAA is
proud to provide
funding and alumni
manpower to Parker
Street Ministries &
Girls Inc. of Lakeland.
More than two
dozen alumni will work
with Parker Street
Ministries this summer
during their Summer
Bridge Program.
Alumni will spend time
in a “Career-ousel”
and “Lunch & Learn”
format sharing their
careers and leadership
information with
students. From small
groups to one-on-one
time, the alumni from
Leadership Lakeland
will give of their time
and talents to over 100
youth in the program.
The Alumni
Association will also
work with Girls Inc.
of Lakeland. From
books to cushions, the
alumni association will
update and enhance
their library with a
complete makeover.
New magazines, books
and technology will be
purchased to support
Girls Inc.’s extensive
literacy program. This
project will begin in
the fall.