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Scholarship Created for 2014 Candidates

PORTSMOUTH, N.H., June 17, 2013—Leadership Seacoast, a non-profit organization that develops informed, engaged, and active leaders in our communities, recently accepted a $1,800 scholarship from its 2013 graduating class. The scholarship was presented to the organization’s executive director, Jennifer Wheeler, during graduation ceremonies held recently at the Wentworth by the Sea Country Club, in Rye, New Hampshire.

The scholarship will allow Leadership Seacoast to provide financial assistance to applicants, based on need, for the next program year which begins in January 2014.

“Leadership Seacoast is so grateful to this year’s class for their generous gifts,” said Wheeler. “Their donations are evidence of how compelling our program and its experientials are- and a wonderful way to continue its impact to the communities.”

Recruitment for the 2013 class has begun and will culminate with a breakfast event for alumni and those considering completing the program in October 2013. For more information on the program, please contact Jennifer Wheeler at jwheeler@leadershipseacoast.org or to download an application please go to www.LeadershipSeacoast.org.

Leadership Seacoast would like to extend special thanks to program year sponsors Bottomline Technologies, Calypso Communications, Great North Advantage, Kennebunk Savings, Liberty Mutual, ReVision Energy, and Wheelabrator Technologies for the generous donations that made the program year possible.

About Leadership Seacoast

Based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the Leadership Seacoast program provides existing and future community leaders the opportunity to engage with the people and organizations that shape the Seacoast’s economic structure and  social fabric. Affiliated with the National Community Leadership Association, Leadership Seacoast offers its participants unique insight into how business, community, and politics integrate to create successful societies and how small actions can have a significant impact on the greater global good. Leadership Seacoast alumni make a difference in their communities through networking, active involvement, and personal action. Since its inception in 1988, Leadership Seacoast has created a strong foundation that values diversity of opinion and consensus building to find solutions to challenges affecting the Seacoast’s community and its future. For more information about our programs please contact us at jwheeler@leadershipseacoast.org or check out our website at www.leadershipseacoast.org.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire, June 3, 2013 –  Local non-profit Leadership Seacoast, an organization committed to developing informed and active community leaders, explored the balance between preserving and protecting our environment and convenience – and the role that balance has on our quality of life – during its recent Environment Day held at New Hampshire Public Television in Durham.

Tom Kelly, director and chief sustainability officer, UNH Sustainability Institute, described the importance of a shift from a “sustainability” mindset to a better overall understanding of what we need to flourish as communities.

He explained that sustainability is greater than just the environment.

“Unprecedented transformation requires an equally unprecedented response,” said Kelly in his presentation to the class. “It’s a complex tapestry of initiatives, woven together.”

A “Business Case for Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility” was presented by Mike Bellamente, executive director, Climate Counts, a program affiliated with the Sustainability Institute at UNH; Atlanta McIlwraith, senior manager, community engagement, Timberland; and Rian Beddard, owner, Ecomovement.

Program participants also learned about the impacts on water quality to the Seacoast region and sustainability initiatives. Local water quality and conservation experts made the case for water as the “Seacoast’s Most Important Natural Asset.”  Session presenters included:  Rachel Rouillard, executive director, Piscataqua Region Estuary Partnership; Dean Peschel, environmental consultant, City of Dover; and Alison Watts, research assistant professor in civil engineering at UNH and a water quality expert.

Leadership Seacoast’s Environment Day was sponsored by Unitil Corp and hosted at New Hampshire Public Television in Durham.

To learn more about Leadership Seacoast and its dynamic, experiential program, please visit www.leadershipseacoast.org or contact Jennifer Wheeler at 603-334-6063. To learn more about UNH sustainability initiatives and experts, visit sustainableunh.unh.edu. 

About Leadership Seacoast

Based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the Leadership Seacoast program provides existing and future community leaders the opportunity to engage with the people and organizations that shape the Seacoast’s economic structure and social fabric. Affiliated with the National Community Leadership Association, Leadership Seacoast offers its participants unique insight into how business, community, and politics integrate to create successful societies and how small actions can have a significant impact on the greater global good. Leadership Seacoast alumni make a difference in their communities through networking, active involvement, and personal action. Since its inception in 1988, Leadership Seacoast has created a strong foundation that values diversity of opinion and consensus building to find solutions to challenges affecting the Seacoast’s community and its future. For more information about our programs please contact us at jwheeler@leadershipseacoast.org or check out our website at www.leadershipseacoast.org.

Amazing day of “seeing and doing” today with the 157th Air Refueling Wing of the NH Air National Guard.

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. May 20, 2013, – Leadership Seacoast, a non-profit organization that positively impacts Seacoast communities through the development of knowledgeable leaders, will be commemorating the 2013 program year with a special graduation reception to be held on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 from 5:00-7:00pm at the Wentworth by the Sea Country Club.

A non profit organization, Leadership Seacoast provides an environment for class members to learn through the exploration of community issues and personal involvement opportunities. The program provides the chance for the class to create connections, discover the issues, and inspire action. “We are so proud of each of the 35 graduates of the program and look forward to celebrating their achievement with family, friends and supporters,”   said Jennifer Wheeler, executive director of Leadership Seacoast.

Founded in 1988 by a group of concerned citizens, Leadership Seacoast is now entering its 25^th year thanks to the support of area businesses and community leaders. In addition to its nearly 800 active alumni, Leadership Seacoast is proud to add the following individuals to its alumni community:

Marcie Bergan of Seabrook, Scott Bogle of Durham, Chris Cavaretta of Stratham, John Cochrane of Hampton, Jonathan Cohen of Portsmouth, Stephen Condon of Hampton, Susan DeRoy of New Durham, Julie-Ann Edwards of Portsmouth, Jamie Forbes of Portsmouth, Janet Ford of York, Jennifer Gray of Portsmouth, Alyson Graybill of South Berwick, Andrea Hall of Elliot, Jillian Hall of Rochester, Jen Hubbell of Stratham, Michael Krall of Sanford, Jane LaPointe of Exeter, Nancy London of Portsmouth, Tom Markey of Stratham, Harper Marshall of Hampton Falls, Jacalyn Mitchell of Newfields, Alyssa Murphy of Portsmouth, Tim Noonis of Hampton, Jeff Patry of York, Karen Pizza of Dover, Eva Powers of Portsmouth, Emily Quirk of Rollinsford, Meghan Rice of Portsmouth, Virginia Skevington of Greenland, Quinn Slayton of Newmarket, Peggy Small-Porter of Newmarket, Brandon Stauber of Exeter, Cynthia Traver of Rye, Claire Vadney of Stratham, and Kristi Vazifdar of Barrington.

Evening sponsor, R.M. Davis Inc. was founded in Portland, Maine and just recently opened an office in Portsmouth; this will be the fourth the local division of R.M. Davis has supported the event.  “We are ever grateful to all the businesses, large and small, supporting our mission to educate the Seacoast’s future leaders on the critical issues facing our region,” Continued Wheeler.  Alumni and their guests as well as the general public are invited to attend graduation ceremonies. The event is $10 per person; please register by emailing JWheeler@LeadershipSeacoast.org To learn more about Leadership Seacoast and its dynamic, experiential program, please visit www.leadershipseacoast.org or contact Jennifer Wheeler at 603-334-6063.

About Leadership Seacoast

Based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the Leadership Seacoast program provides existing and future community leaders the opportunity to engage with the people and organizations that shape the Seacoast’s economic structure and social fabric. Affiliated with the National Community Leadership Association, Leadership Seacoast offers its participants unique insight into how business, community, and politics integrate to create successful societies and how small actions can have a significant impact on the greater global good. Leadership Seacoast alumni make a difference in their communities through networking, active involvement, and personal action. Since its inception in 1988, Leadership Seacoast has created a strong foundation that values diversity of opinion and consensus building to find solutions to challenges affecting the Seacoast’s community and its future. For more information about our programs please contact us at jwheeler@leadershipseacoast.org or check out our website at www.leadershipseacoast.org.

View our Economic Development Day photos from May 1st, 2013

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Class of 2013 spoke with NH’s top officials in Concord

PORTSMOUTH, N.H., April 12, 2013—Leadership Seacoast, a non-profit organization that helps shape the future of Seacoast communities through the development of knowledgeable leaders, travelled to Concord this week to meet with New Hampshire’s top government officials as part of its Government Day Program.

Governor Maggie Hassan, State Senator Martha Fuller Clark, Executive Councilor Christopher Sununu, State Representative Laura Pantelakos, State Representative Gene Chandler, Representative Patrick Abrami and others informed Leadership Seacoast participants on the ins and outs of New Hampshire government and legislation.  In addition, Steve Norton of New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies and Andy Smith, Director of the UNH Survey Center, provided a broad non-partisan perspective on the political landscape and the challenges involved in budget creation in New Hampshire.

When speaking to the group, Governor Hassan emphasized her commitment to helping the State become an innovation center, by investing in the priorities of the people of New Hampshire. “If we don’t increase revenues through one high-end casino in order to invest in the priorities needed to build a more innovative economy at a time when we’re just starting to recover from the impact of the recession, then we’re going to fall further behind in the critical areas of health care, mental health, higher education and infrastructure,” Governor Hassan said.

Leadership Seacoast’s programs are designed to challenge personal assumptions about critical issues while exploring diverse ideas, resources, and practices. Government Day provides participants with an in-depth understanding of the legislative process in New Hampshire, the priorities of funding critical issues, and the importance of an individual’s advocacy and impact on various issues in local decision-making.

“We were very fortunate to have such a great lineup of speakers this year,” said Jennifer Wheeler, executive director at Leadership Seacoast. “The Government Day Program is a great way to inform participants about local and statewide issues, as well as motivate them to become active participants in local government.”

Leadership Seacoast proudly boasts more than two decades of achievement through its consistent commitment to educating future Seacoast leaders through the exploration of community issues, effective leadership practices, and personal involvement opportunities. Program graduates finish with a wide net of connections in which to foster a better community. For more information on becoming a corporate sponsor or program candidate, please visit www.leadershipseacoast.org.

About Leadership Seacoast

Based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the Leadership Seacoast program provides existing and future community leaders the opportunity to engage with the people and organizations that shape the Seacoast’s economic structure and social fabric. Leadership Seacoast offers its participants unique insight into how business, community, and politics integrate to create successful societies and how small actions can have a significant impact on the greater global good. Leadership Seacoast alumni make a difference in their communities through networking, active involvement, and personal action. Since its inception in 1988, Leadership Seacoast has created a strong foundation that values diversity of opinion and consensus building to find solutions to challenges affecting the Seacoast’s community and its future. For more information about our programs please contact us at jwheeler@leadershipseacoast.org or check out our website at www.leadershipseacoast.org

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jennifer Wheeler, Executive Director

Leadership Seacoast

603-334-6063

jwheeler@leadershipseacoast.org

View our photos from Government Day on April 10th, 2013

in Seacoast Region

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Portsmouth, New Hampshire, March 22, 2013- Local non-profit Leadership Seacoast, an organization committed to developing informed and active community leaders, recently completed its fifth interactive workshop of 2013: Health and Human Services Day. The program was held at the Community Campus in Portsmouth–a collaborative, multi-tenant nonprofit health initiative created and constructed by the Foundation for Seacoast Health–and explored the impact of healthcare delivery on the region’s communities as well as the cost and availability of social services throughout the state.

The day kicked off with a talk titled  “The Future of Healthcare Delivery in the Seacoast,” and featured experts from Goodwin Community Health Center, Portsmouth Regional Hospital, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare and York Hospital.“This eye opening discussion revealed that the future of healthcare lies in the integration of  state of the art technology  with increased collaboration between providers, both of which should help contain costs and improve transparency,” explained Jennifer Wheeler, Executive Director of Leadership Seacoast.

Next, participants took part in the Walk a Mile (in their shoes) Poverty Simulation, sponsored by the United Way of the Greater Seacoast. The simulation was designed to help participants understand the challenges facing a low-income family trying to survive from month to month.

The class then participated in a discussion on substance abuse and mental health followed by a tour of local non-profits located within the Community Campus. Mary Ann Cooney, Deputy Commissioner, NH Department of Health and Human Services, delivered closing remarks, providing a macro perspective of the state of healthcare in New Hampshire.

Leadership Seacoast’s Health and Human Services Day was sponsored by local businesses Optima Bank and Riverwoods at Exeter.  Leadership Seacoast will hold four additional interactive workshops between now and June as part of its 2013 program year. Thanks to the continued backing of area businesses like Riverwoods Exeter and Optima Bank, Leadership Seacoast is able to provide meaningful experiences for every student, offer scholarships to participants, create further opportunities for alumni, and secure the best speakers and venues. For more information about Leadership Seacoast and becoming a corporate sponsor, visit http://www.leadershipseacoast.org/ or contact Jennifer Wheeler at 603-334—6063 or jwheeler@leadershipseacoast.org.

About Leadership Seacoast

Based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the Leadership Seacoast program provides existing and future community leaders the opportunity to engage with the people and organizations that shape the Seacoast’s economic structure and social fabric. Leadership Seacoast offers its participants unique insight into how business, community, and politics integrate to create successful societies and how small actions can have a significant impact on the greater global good. Leadership Seacoast alumni make a difference in their communities through networking, active involvement, and personal action. Since its inception in 1988, Leadership Seacoast has created a strong foundation that values diversity of opinion and consensus building to find solutions to challenges affecting the Seacoast’s community and its future. For more information about our programs please contact us at jwheeler@leadershipseacoast.org or check out our website at www.leadershipseacoast.org

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For More Information:

Jennifer Wheeler, Executive Director

Leadership Seacoast

603-334-6063

jwheeler@leadershipseacoast.org