Commentary: Kramer, Suthers to lead new Colorado Springs Leadership

The Colorado Springs Leadership Institute is ready for the next step. Started in 1996, CSLI has 167 graduates from all sectors of our community.

CSLI started as a program of the Colorado Springs Chamber Foundation, then received support from the El Pomar Foundation beginning in 2002 and now will be its own 501(c)(3).

Lorne Kramer and Janet Suthers will head the organization as co- executive directors.

In full disclosure, I am a 2004 CSLI graduate and plan on helping CSLI as much as possible. Its mission is to enhance the quality and quantity of leadership in the community through development of personal, professional and civic knowledge.

CSLI will continue working with Joan Gurvis and the Center for Creative Leadership, which we are quite lucky to have here in the Springs. The organization also has offices in Brussels, Germany; Greensboro, N.C. and San Diego.

Nunn Construction built the beautiful building designed by Christiansen, Reece and Partners off 8th Street. It was completed in August 1998. If you have never been to CCL, it is arguably one of the most beautiful buildings in our city.

In one piece of correspondence from CSLI, the statement is made that CSLI offers "unparalleled opportunity to challenge established ways of thinking and behaving to expand knowledge of the community."

Most cities have leadership programs, such as Leadership Pikes Peak, but having a program at the level of CSLI is something I have not encountered in my travels.

During the time CSLI was under El Pomar, the organization had to play by El Pomar rules. I figure becoming a separate entity will allow the group to become more vocal about issues affecting our community. This group tends to have opinions about things, and I bet you will be hearing some of them as CSLI moves forward.

No offense to El Pomar, and thank you for all you have done for CSLI.

A policy of CSLI is that CSLI creates a safe environment for leaders representing differing views to gain a better understanding of all sides of issues. Through the discussions, class members are able to decide, as individuals, which side to support. Because of the diverse representation of the group, CSLI as an organization does not take a stance either in support of or in opposition to any issue.

Well, I am betting that policy will go away with the new CSLI.

Speaking of leadership, Lorne, as you all know, retired as our city manager recently, and I know of a CEO position that happens to be vacant.

Lorne, how about taking over Will Temby's old job at the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce?

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