The Leadership Lawrence program has been developing leaders in the Lawrence community since 1982, but it’s changed the way it does its training.

What one graduate said was once a “sit and get” program has evolved into a series of group-taught classes that feature a mix of speakers, site visits and activities specifically designed to enhance leadership skills.

Kathleen Marker, right, gives a presentation during the January meeting of the Leadership lawrence group at Haskell Indian Nations University.

Karen Cochran, chairman of Leadership Lawrence, said the focus of the program has changed from the days when it was more for networking among local leaders.

“There is still a portion of the program like that,” she said. “But a leadership skill-building thread has been added.”

Cochran said the hope is to make the students more effective leaders when they go back into their homes, churches, businesses and community.

To be a student in Leadership Lawrence, applicants must display a history of service in the Lawrence area, willingness to learn new skills and a commitment to improving the community.

The class has room for 24 people each year, and instruction occurs in daylong sessions once a month from October to April. The class costs $600 per student, and is organized through the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce.

This year, the class started with a two-day retreat in October. Other sessions have focused on different aspects of Lawrence, such as health and human services; business and industry; the arts, culture and diversity; the role of government in a community; and education.

Many of the classes are designed and taught by some of the 320 graduates of the program, said Nancy Longhurst, executive director of Leadership Lawrence.

“Those graduates then help set the curriculum for each year,” she said. “We have a lot of active volunteers who come back and help with classes.”

Sherry Schaub, Lawrence, chaired the original committee that established Leadership Lawrence and helped teach some of the sessions this year. He said the program has changed dramatically in the past two to three years.

“It’s become a very hands-on experience,” Schaub said. “The class learns specific skills rather than just information.”

Arthurine Criswell, director of the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services office in Lawrence, is in the Leadership Lawrence class this year. She said it has been an invaluable experience as a newcomer to the community.

“I’ve been very pleased with my participation, even though it’s a tremendous commitment to be away from work,” she said. “I just think it’s a really nice way to learn about important things and issues in the community.”

During the final class session, the students are challenged to take their experience into the community and improve Lawrence, Longhurst said.

“We’re hoping that they’ll make some personal commitments of ‘What can I do to live and work and make Lawrence a better place?'”