For the last 23 years, the Leadership Waupaca County program has been developing civic-minded volunteer leaders and public officials who are committed to the future of Waupaca County and its communities.

I am disappointed to announce that the Leadership Waupaca County program is on hold indefinitely. On September 14, 2022, the Waupaca County Finance Committee voted to eliminate the Extension Community Development Educator position from the 2023 budget. Without that position, Extension will not be able to host the program.

Our team was excited about the class of 2023, which we were busily shaping into a robust program prior to the Finance Committee decision on September 14. The program was planned to operate under a new schedule based on past participant feedback. We were planning to begin in January and return to normal programming, meeting fully in person for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

Leadership Waupaca County has graduated 375 leaders over 22 classes. I am proud to have contributed to the growth of 90 of these individuals over the six classes I had the privilege of leading. Several of the community projects from the past 6 classes still live on today in various forms – leaving a legacy for the participants that can never be taken away.

Thank you for your support of this program. I have enjoyed getting to know you all.

If you have any questions, please contact Area Extension Director, Chris Viau, by phone at (715) 937-4381 or email at chris.viau@wisc.edu.

Sincerely,

Jessica Beckendorf