Leadership projects offer top-notch ideas

The idea of Leadership Cape Girardeau hasn't changed much since the first class of 35 people came together in 1985.

The purpose was then -- and is now -- to teach participants what they need to know about our community if they are to take leadership roles in it. And certainly, the names of some of the graduates of those first several classes are now familiar as local and state leaders: Dennis Marchi, Bekki Cook, David Barklage and John Mehner are just a few.

But one component of Leadership Cape Girardeau has changed over the years. The program is more than 25 or 30 people having their heads filled with knowledge once a month. Those folks also are expected to give something back even as the program is progressing.

The project component, while an added responsibility for participants, is a boon for the community. Last year, the chamber of commerce, which organizes Leadership Cape, decided to have project participants present their work at a First Friday Coffee at the Show Me Center. For both last year's presentation and the one for this year, there has been a packed house.

The class of 2002 explained its projects earlier this month. Once again, there were some brilliant ideas that the Cape Girardeau City Council should consider. Some don't even cost much money. The summaries:

Next year marks the 200th anniversary of Lewis and Clark's visit to Cape Girardeau, and one group would like to duplicate the activities the explorers might have enjoyed -- for example, a horse race by the river and picnic lunches for families in attendance. There would be period costumes for volunteers and period games and activities for the children.

A new sports commission, which could be set up as a not-for-profit organization or operate under the auspices of the Convention and Visitors Bureau or another government entity, could explore the benefits of new sports teams for Cape Girardeau. Project team members pointed to Louisville, Ky., where a $200,000 investment overseen by the sports commission turned into $21 million in revenue from booked events.

ResourceNet.com, a proposed Web site, would link students and educators with Cape Girardeau's business community, allowing them to line up speakers or get help with personal finances.

A group that wants to market the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center better already has visited with CTC director Rich Payne to show him how that could be done. The group's package includes a publicity checklist, a PowerPoint presentation, radio and television spots, a newspaper advertisement, a Web site addition, a letter to the business community and a sample press release.

All of these ideas have merit. As has come to be expected, another class of Leadership Cape Girardeau has set the bar for the year that follows.