PEAK Leaders Recognized by House Resolution

OLYMPIA — The PEAK Leadership Class of 2008-2009 received special recognition recently from the Washington State House of Representatives by way of House Resolution 2009-4637. The resolution sponsored by 24th District Representatives Lynn Kessler and Kevin Van De Wege, was issued in appreciation for the participants’ “dedicated pursuit of excellence”, thereby bringing “great distinction to themselves, their communities, and this state.” The resolution went on to declare, “That the House of Representatives of the State of Washington heartily commend the participants of the PEAK Leadership Program and their outstanding dedication and service to Clallam and Jefferson Counties and applaud them for their exemplary achievement in preparing to meet the challenges of leading communities, and expressing hope for their continuing commitment to rural affairs …”

The House Resolution was presented to each of the PEAK Leaders in correlation with the group’s two-and-a-half day visit to the State Capitol in March. According to PEAK Leadership Director and Project Coordinator Danille Turissini, this honor was well deserved. “Participating in the PEAK Program is a significant personal and professional investment on the part of the PEAK Leaders. Not only do they commit their time and resources in order to participate, but they also open themselves up to the kind of perspective adjustments and transformational change that will be an asset to our communities and the region. Giving of oneself in this way is a quality of leadership we can all take pride in. In fact,” Turissini said, “that is precisely the point of the House Resolution and an opinion that is shared by our elected state representatives.”

In a written statement about her encounter with the PEAK Leaders, Representative Kessler stated, “Clallam and Jefferson Counties will benefit greatly from the PEAK Leadership Program, which teaches valuable collaboration, communication, and decision-making skills to community leaders. After meeting PEAK participants this session, I am convinced we in Olympia could learn a thing or two from them.”

Likewise, Representative Van De Wege added, “In the midst of what has been a very somber and difficult legislative session, it was refreshing to meet so many bright and talented PEAK Leadership participants. Their energy and enthusiasm will serve the communities of the North Olympic Peninsula very well.”

The theme of the Olympia trip was “Dynamic Leadership” and that it was, according to PEAK Leadership Director Danille Turissini. “As expected, Olympia was fast paced, a topical smorgasbord, logistically challenging, full of surprises and just about everything was subject to change. That was the whole point, well, at least logistically.”

While in Olympia the focus was state government and public policy and was intended as a training exercise for navigating the legislative process and the campus grounds. The group also had the opportunity to get acquainted with the entire 24th Legislative District delegation, including Reps. Kessler and Vandewege, and their respective legislative assistants, Samantha Casne and Linda Barnfather also spent some time explaining their roles and responsibilities. Across the rotunda on the Senate side, the PEAK Leaders convened with Senator Jim Hargrove and his Senior Legislative Assistant Patsy Feeley.

Like his colleagues in the House, Senator Hargrove was pleased to meet the PEAK Leaders and expressed appreciation for their participation in the program. He said, “These outstanding individuals in the PEAK Leadership program are important for the coast and Peninsula. Our communities need strong leadership and strong community involvement – each of these people embody both of those things.”

Among other things, the PEAK Leaders also heard from Lt. Governor Brad Owen; Lynn Longan, regional representative for CTED, Community Trade and Economic Development; Lori Anderson, Public Disclosure Commission; and House Page Supervisor Cassidy Rehwaldt. Mike Bay, Vice President of Programming for TVW, and Jennifer Huntley, Host of TVW’s The Impact, presented a professional development piece on working with the media. Likewise, Brian Dirks, Communications Director for Lt. Governor Owen, joined by John Sattagast, Product Coordinator and Public Information Officer for the House Republican Caucus, offered a seminar on “Tailoring the Message — Old School Enters the New Media”.

Turissini said, “I wanted the participants to get a real time sense of the inner workings and chaordic atmosphere of a legislative session. Mostly, I wanted to facilitate the reciprocal relationships that would be most meaningful to both the PEAK Leaders and our legislative team in Olympia. It’s important to build and maintain those relationships. In fact, it’s all about the relationships! If for no other reason, I wanted the PEAK Leaders to walk away from Olympia with a clear understanding of their own importance and responsibility in the process. The legislative process is about teamwork and we as constituents are an integral part of that team.”

The PEAK Leadership Program is currently accepting candidate referrals for the PEAK Leadership Class of 2009-2010. For more information, please contact Turissini at (360) 301-4134 or danille@peakleadershipnw.net.