Choose your Challenge: Sauk County Institute of Leadership Kicks Off Program with Retreat at Durward’s Glen

The 2024 Sauk County Institute of Leadership (SCIL) officially launched on September 12-13 with a retreat at the Durward’s Glen Retreat Center. This program is dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders within our community. SCIL brings together twenty participants from throughout Sauk County and from a multitude of backgrounds and experiences to grow together as leaders and individuals. This opening event marked the beginning of a nine-month journey for this year’s participants, setting the stage for a program designed to cultivate leadership skills and foster community connections.

Participants engaged in a series of activities aimed at exploring the essence of leadership. Through team-building exercises, a personality-type assessment workshop, and group discussions, attendees not only delved into personal leadership styles but also developed deeper connections with one another. The retreat provided a platform for participants to build strong, supportive relationships through collaborative challenges and thoughtful dialogue. The combination of individual introspection and group interaction created an atmosphere of camaraderie and respect, laying a solid foundation for the months ahead.

Participants, or “SCILsters,” were reminded to “choose their challenge” as each individual decided how they want to grow both personally and professionally. One such SCILster reflected “I am more aware that leadership is a choice you can actively make for yourself and not a trait you either have or don’t have.”  Another participant stated “I will be able to apply so much from the retreat every day at work. I will strive to be so much more than a manager – I want my entire team to see me as a partner, teammate and leader.”

The 2024 SCIL program will continue with monthly sessions, including visits to local businesses and community organizations around Sauk County. Participants will have the opportunity to meet and learn from leaders within the community, gaining practical insights and fostering a deeper understanding of leadership in action. 

Written by Megan Krautkramer and Cassandra Fowler