"Personally I feel I have benefited in many ways. The relationships I have built are more than just business relationships they are personal friendships. I feel privileged to be part of such a dynamic group of present and future leaders of Springfield. You look around the media and you see members of our class communicating vital information to the citizens of Springfield. These people are already trusted community leaders as well as experts in their own fields. I feel more strongly committed to improving the quality of life we have in Springfield than I ever have. I also feel more encouraged and assured that we live in one of the best places in the entire country."
-Jeff Chronister, account executive, Ollis & Company, Class XVIII
History
In the early 1980s, volunteerism was at an all-time low in Springfield. The city had undergone council recalls, and there was a general thought in the community that a program to train leaders was greatly needed.
About 1984, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Junior League of Springfield and United Way of the Ozarks joined forces to research a leadership program for Springfield. Andy Montebello represented the chamber, Karen Sweeney represented the Junior League, and staff representation from United Way was provided. One of the primary resources used to form Leadership Springfield was the National Association of Community Leadership Organizations, currently known as Community Leadership Association.
The original board of directors included two people from the chamber, Junior League and United Way of the Ozarks, and those three organizations may have contributed small amounts of seed money to form the organization. Beginning with Class I, 1985-1986, tuition supported the program. In 2004, a formal sponsorship program was started to help fund and expand the program.
Once the program format was determined, Leadership Springfield contracted with Bob Barefield, Drury University, to be the facilitator. Bob facilitated the program through the first nine classes. Debbie Snellen has facilitated the retreats since Class IX, 1993-1994.
After five Leadership Springfield program years, an academy was formed for high school juniors and seniors. Rotary clubs in Springfield provided the initial seed money for startup. A Leadership Springfield annual golf tournament and program day sponsorships are now the primary sources of funding for the academy.