Carefree Truth
Issue #685, August 27, 2018
Issue #685, August 27, 2018
Mayor Les Peterson said the more he understands about the Leadership Program, the more enthusiastic he becomes about the future for Carefree. He introduced Phil Corso, who originally approached the Council with the idea of bringing this program to Carefree.
Mr. Corso said he came before the Council 2 months ago, heading into the election season, with notes scribbled on the back of a cocktail napkin. Elections are about leadership. He had questioned where leaders grow from in Carefree. He's lived in Carefree since 2008 and in the Valley since 1975, and has done community service throughout his career.
He was encouraged by the look in the eyes and on the face of Mayor Peterson when he presented the idea of the Leadership Program, and by the phone call from the Mayor the following day. 2 days later, Vice Mayor John Crane called him to say, "I'm in", then a call from Councilman Mike Krahe to say, "I'm in". The Carefree/Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce's past Board President, Jennifer McGirr, contacted Chamber Executive Director, Patty Villeneuve, who said she'd been interested in this for a long time.
Mr. Corso met Vice Mayor Crane and Dr. Krahe at the Black Mountain Coffee Shop and Cafe for coffee. There, he made the discovery that Dr. Krahe not only has a passion for this, but has experience and expertise in creating leadership programs. Mr. Corso and the Vice Mayor were shocked by Dr. Krahe's depth of knowledge, experience, and passion on this subject. Mr. Corso quickly said, "Congratulations, you're the Chairman of the Board! Go for it!" The following day, Mr. Corso incorporated Desert Foothills Leadership Inc., and is the acting Statutory Agent.
He contacted Gary Shapiro, who he has known for 30 years. They served together on the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce Board at the time the Scottsdale Leadership Program began. Scottsdale now has one of the best leadership programs in the Valley. Mr. Corso's focus at the time was on economic development, but his children and ex-wife are graduates of the Scottsdale program.
Mr. Corso is very excited about the program, to be led by Dr. Krahe, coming to Carefree. It will be a private initiative, and the path to success is to remain private, reaching out to the community. They choose the name Desert Foothills Leadership because the focus will be regional. What we do here impacts others north of the 101, and vice versa. They want to get in on the front end of creating leaders who understand that. He then turned the presentation over to Dr. Krahe.
Dr. Krahe felt this was a fascinating idea and couldn't wait to do it. By way of background, he worked for a very large insurance carrier, ran all the resource functions, and did a lot of work developing leadership training programs and simulations. He is from Erie, Pa, and was part of the group that built the very robust Erie Leadership program, which taught leadership capabilities and skills to 20-40 people a year from all walks of the community. These included people from business, industry, non-profit and religious sectors. It can be a very rich program that gets people to think about how they can get involved, contribute to, and assume a leadership role in their community.
So, Dr. Krahe was really excited when Mr. Corso brought it up. It really hit a chord. He said, "I want to be part of what you're doing. And then John jumped on board, and I talked to Les and Les said, 'Let's go do this!' " Dr. Krahe said they can build sustainability in leadership. It will be a tremendous experience for all involved. He is figuring out how to put this together and develop the program. They will continue to meet, and he will bring more information to the Council as they progress. He thanked Phil, John, the Mayor, Patty and Jennifer, all of whom are very excited about this opportunity.
Mayor Peterson said he was so excited about the prospect. He assumed there would be a class of about 30 young men and women a year who have grown up in the community, or have moved here. This would provide a way for them to meet and understand all the local non-profit organizations, government, 1st responders-who they are and what they do. They will put in a certain number of hours and will find out where they want to participate. These graduates will increasingly become the leaders of the future.
Dr. Krahe noted that the powerful thing about these leadership programs is that generally each individual in the class has to take on an issue that the town or someone is facing. How do I sustain my business? How do I grow my non-profit? They study the issue and, at the end of the program they present their solution in a public forum. Problems can be isolated and beneficial solutions brought forth.
Vice Mayor Crane said it will groom and grow future community leaders. He read the Scottsdale Leadership Program's Mission Statement. "To inform, inspire and empower leaders, and champion and strengthen in the interest of the community. Enhances the ability of the leaders, increases and engages citizens, which will ensure the sustainable future for our community." It impacts government, businesses and non-profits, making the community so much stronger. It's a great program. "It brings value that will last long after we're gone."
Mr. Corso agreed. He will be filing for a tax exempt status so that tax deductible donations can be accepted. It's an arduous process that takes 4-6 months. But the program is now incorporated with the State and the seeds are being sown. Scottsdale has 9 or 10 full day classes for start-up leadership programs. The Desert Foothills program will be looking at funding through tuition, outside corporate donations, and donations from local businesses.
When Mr. Corso moved here in 1975, Carefree was, in his mind, the beginning of The Boulders Resort and a goat farm from the 1950s and '60s, before Tom Darlington bought it. (Lyn's note: Our downtown was that goat farm.) The Desert Foothills area was named for the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive, which was created by community members who put up educational signs and made it a scenic drive. So we now have a large region of our own, of which no one really knows the boundries. In Mr. Corso's mind, the region encompasses everything north of SR101, and west along Carefree Highway to I-17. Millions of square feet of office buildings and commercial will be coming up soon that will have a huge impact on our community in terms of traffic, housing, social services, etc. We can stay ahead of that by growing leaders who are aware of it.
Councilman Mike Farrar said that, given it is regional, it might be an opportunity to collaborate with Cave Creek. Mr. Corso confirmed that Cave Creek was involved. What it is not going to be is a Chamber program. Carefree leaders are being targeted. The first class will be targeted to people who show what they can do and have done, and bringing them into the fold. The program goes into Cave Creek and parts of Phoenix. It covers everything. They just don't want it to get bogged down as a program of something else. It's got to be by itself.
Mr. Farrar said if it's really regional, it should be expanded to include Valley Leadership and Scottsdale. Really expand it. Mr. Corso explained that Scottsdale has its own program, with a full time director and staff. They met with one of the founders of the Scottsdale program and were guided in their original thinking process. Valley Leadership is too big. It takes on Valley-wide issues. But we can't be blinded by thinking it's just Carefree and Cave Creek. It must take in all of the Desert Foothills. Mr. Farrar thought it would be beneficial to grow relationships with our neighboring towns. Mr. Corso noted that it all comes out of cross pollination. Mayor Peterson said, "That was excellent. I'm excited! Go get 'em!"
https://vimeo.com/284568545
Lyn Hitchon
(Lyn's note: Phil Corso felt this was pertinent and asked that it be included.)
Hi Lyn.
This morning around 7 am, my dog Kimber and I were returning home from her daily run when I decided to stop for coffee and a blueberry muffin at the Black Mountain Cafe. When I turned onto Nonchalant Ave, I discovered a big old tree had fallen during last night's storm and was blocking my path.
Being occasionally fearless, I thought about shifting into 4wd for a moment but common sense told me that would be really dumb. Instead, I stopped, snapped a photo and took an alternative route back to Lazy Lane.
Mr. Corso said he came before the Council 2 months ago, heading into the election season, with notes scribbled on the back of a cocktail napkin. Elections are about leadership. He had questioned where leaders grow from in Carefree. He's lived in Carefree since 2008 and in the Valley since 1975, and has done community service throughout his career.
He was encouraged by the look in the eyes and on the face of Mayor Peterson when he presented the idea of the Leadership Program, and by the phone call from the Mayor the following day. 2 days later, Vice Mayor John Crane called him to say, "I'm in", then a call from Councilman Mike Krahe to say, "I'm in". The Carefree/Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce's past Board President, Jennifer McGirr, contacted Chamber Executive Director, Patty Villeneuve, who said she'd been interested in this for a long time.
Mr. Corso met Vice Mayor Crane and Dr. Krahe at the Black Mountain Coffee Shop and Cafe for coffee. There, he made the discovery that Dr. Krahe not only has a passion for this, but has experience and expertise in creating leadership programs. Mr. Corso and the Vice Mayor were shocked by Dr. Krahe's depth of knowledge, experience, and passion on this subject. Mr. Corso quickly said, "Congratulations, you're the Chairman of the Board! Go for it!" The following day, Mr. Corso incorporated Desert Foothills Leadership Inc., and is the acting Statutory Agent.
He contacted Gary Shapiro, who he has known for 30 years. They served together on the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce Board at the time the Scottsdale Leadership Program began. Scottsdale now has one of the best leadership programs in the Valley. Mr. Corso's focus at the time was on economic development, but his children and ex-wife are graduates of the Scottsdale program.
Mr. Corso is very excited about the program, to be led by Dr. Krahe, coming to Carefree. It will be a private initiative, and the path to success is to remain private, reaching out to the community. They choose the name Desert Foothills Leadership because the focus will be regional. What we do here impacts others north of the 101, and vice versa. They want to get in on the front end of creating leaders who understand that. He then turned the presentation over to Dr. Krahe.
Dr. Krahe felt this was a fascinating idea and couldn't wait to do it. By way of background, he worked for a very large insurance carrier, ran all the resource functions, and did a lot of work developing leadership training programs and simulations. He is from Erie, Pa, and was part of the group that built the very robust Erie Leadership program, which taught leadership capabilities and skills to 20-40 people a year from all walks of the community. These included people from business, industry, non-profit and religious sectors. It can be a very rich program that gets people to think about how they can get involved, contribute to, and assume a leadership role in their community.
So, Dr. Krahe was really excited when Mr. Corso brought it up. It really hit a chord. He said, "I want to be part of what you're doing. And then John jumped on board, and I talked to Les and Les said, 'Let's go do this!' " Dr. Krahe said they can build sustainability in leadership. It will be a tremendous experience for all involved. He is figuring out how to put this together and develop the program. They will continue to meet, and he will bring more information to the Council as they progress. He thanked Phil, John, the Mayor, Patty and Jennifer, all of whom are very excited about this opportunity.
Mayor Peterson said he was so excited about the prospect. He assumed there would be a class of about 30 young men and women a year who have grown up in the community, or have moved here. This would provide a way for them to meet and understand all the local non-profit organizations, government, 1st responders-who they are and what they do. They will put in a certain number of hours and will find out where they want to participate. These graduates will increasingly become the leaders of the future.
Dr. Krahe noted that the powerful thing about these leadership programs is that generally each individual in the class has to take on an issue that the town or someone is facing. How do I sustain my business? How do I grow my non-profit? They study the issue and, at the end of the program they present their solution in a public forum. Problems can be isolated and beneficial solutions brought forth.
Vice Mayor Crane said it will groom and grow future community leaders. He read the Scottsdale Leadership Program's Mission Statement. "To inform, inspire and empower leaders, and champion and strengthen in the interest of the community. Enhances the ability of the leaders, increases and engages citizens, which will ensure the sustainable future for our community." It impacts government, businesses and non-profits, making the community so much stronger. It's a great program. "It brings value that will last long after we're gone."
Mr. Corso agreed. He will be filing for a tax exempt status so that tax deductible donations can be accepted. It's an arduous process that takes 4-6 months. But the program is now incorporated with the State and the seeds are being sown. Scottsdale has 9 or 10 full day classes for start-up leadership programs. The Desert Foothills program will be looking at funding through tuition, outside corporate donations, and donations from local businesses.
When Mr. Corso moved here in 1975, Carefree was, in his mind, the beginning of The Boulders Resort and a goat farm from the 1950s and '60s, before Tom Darlington bought it. (Lyn's note: Our downtown was that goat farm.) The Desert Foothills area was named for the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive, which was created by community members who put up educational signs and made it a scenic drive. So we now have a large region of our own, of which no one really knows the boundries. In Mr. Corso's mind, the region encompasses everything north of SR101, and west along Carefree Highway to I-17. Millions of square feet of office buildings and commercial will be coming up soon that will have a huge impact on our community in terms of traffic, housing, social services, etc. We can stay ahead of that by growing leaders who are aware of it.
Councilman Mike Farrar said that, given it is regional, it might be an opportunity to collaborate with Cave Creek. Mr. Corso confirmed that Cave Creek was involved. What it is not going to be is a Chamber program. Carefree leaders are being targeted. The first class will be targeted to people who show what they can do and have done, and bringing them into the fold. The program goes into Cave Creek and parts of Phoenix. It covers everything. They just don't want it to get bogged down as a program of something else. It's got to be by itself.
Mr. Farrar said if it's really regional, it should be expanded to include Valley Leadership and Scottsdale. Really expand it. Mr. Corso explained that Scottsdale has its own program, with a full time director and staff. They met with one of the founders of the Scottsdale program and were guided in their original thinking process. Valley Leadership is too big. It takes on Valley-wide issues. But we can't be blinded by thinking it's just Carefree and Cave Creek. It must take in all of the Desert Foothills. Mr. Farrar thought it would be beneficial to grow relationships with our neighboring towns. Mr. Corso noted that it all comes out of cross pollination. Mayor Peterson said, "That was excellent. I'm excited! Go get 'em!"
https://vimeo.com/284568545
Lyn Hitchon
(Lyn's note: Phil Corso felt this was pertinent and asked that it be included.)
Hi Lyn.
This morning around 7 am, my dog Kimber and I were returning home from her daily run when I decided to stop for coffee and a blueberry muffin at the Black Mountain Cafe. When I turned onto Nonchalant Ave, I discovered a big old tree had fallen during last night's storm and was blocking my path.
Being occasionally fearless, I thought about shifting into 4wd for a moment but common sense told me that would be really dumb. Instead, I stopped, snapped a photo and took an alternative route back to Lazy Lane.
When I got home, I sent a copy of the photo to Mayor Peterson and Council Members John Crane, Mike Krahe, Cheryl Kroyer and others. By 7:15, John had passed the message on to the Town staff. A few minutes later, Kandace French Contreras replied that she would take care of the matter.
Around 9:15, I remembered that I'd forgotten to stop at the Post Office so Kimber and I got back in my truck and ventured to town.
You can imagine my surprise when I drove back down Nonchalant and discovered that the fallen tree was being removed and the street was about to be reopened...Two hours after I sent my original message.
Around 9:15, I remembered that I'd forgotten to stop at the Post Office so Kimber and I got back in my truck and ventured to town.
You can imagine my surprise when I drove back down Nonchalant and discovered that the fallen tree was being removed and the street was about to be reopened...Two hours after I sent my original message.
Kudos to the Mayor and Council and especially Town staffers Kandace and Travis for a job well done. Carefree Leadership at its best.
Phil Corso
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