Overview
Welcome to the Northeast Ohio Regional
Leadership Taskforce Web site. Here you will find resources, information, and a calendar
of upcoming regional leadership program events. If you aren't familiar with the REGIONAL
LEADERSHIP TASKFORCE, be sure to take in the overview below. Become a member of our
virtual community, and stop by often!
Who We Are:
The Northeast Ohio Regional Leadership Taskforce was formed in 1995 with the support of
the Ohio Board of Regents Urban University Program through the Northeast Ohio Research
Consortium and is made up of University and Leadership Partners serving the communities of
Northeast Ohio.
Mission:
The research consortium has been involved in studies that promote the regional
competitiveness of northeast Ohio. The Taskforce is designed to help disseminate the
knowledge gained from this research via the community leadership program networks, to
assist in the development of regional components for program curricula, and to promote
alumni understanding of the assets and challenges of the region. The
8,000+ participants and graduates of
these programs are also a source for citizen input for university research.
Background:
Taskforce University Partners include Cleveland State University, Kent State
University, The University of Akron, and Youngstown State University. Taskforce Leadership
Partners include alumni representatives and program directors of community leadership
programs in northeast Ohio and a representative for Northeastern Ohio
graduates of Leadership Ohio. The Taskforce also includes representation from Northeastern Ohio
Universities College of Medicine (NEOUCOM), Lorain County Community
College and Team NEO.
Surveys
The graduates of these programs were surveyed in 1996, in 2001 and again in 2006 to
determine the level of their knowledge of the region and their interest in improving their
knowledge of the region beyond their area of residence. The mail survey enjoyed a response of
over 50% in 1996 and discovered significant interest on the part of leadership alumni in expanding
their regional understanding. The graduates defined education and the economy as the
two most critical issues facing the region and described speakers and a conference as the
learning vehicles with the greatest appeal. Very similar results were
found from the 2001and 2006 surveys that were distributed electronically.
The 1997, 1999 and 2001 Northeast Ohio Regional
Leadership Taskforce Conferences were based on the results.
Since 1995 the taskforce has explored mutual concerns about
leadership and the future of the region. In 1996 the taskforce completed
a survey of leadership program members on critical issues facing the
region and updated the findings in 2001 and 2006. In 1997, 1999 and
2001 the group held successful conferences to
discuss critical issues in a World Class Region. A website was launched in 1998 and
continues to undergo revisions. A biannual newsletter, Regional
Focus,
was instituted in 2000 and replaced by a Regional Report in 2004.. Many programs have incorporated resources
and information identified through the taskforce into their curricula
and graduate activities.
Regional Day
In 2003 The Taskforce initiated the first
Regional Day for leadership programs in Northeast Ohio. The day is
now part of the curriculum of 13 programs and brings over 400 community
leaders together in a new part of the region each year.
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