Hello everyone,



I am impressed by all of the commentaries posted in answer to the Leadership
theme. Especially since at the Future Now program we are concerned with
building adult learners into tomorrow's leaders.  What perhaps makes our
work that much rewarding is that our student population is not only
comprised of school drop-outs; but all of them are trying to survive within
socio-economically deprived areas of the Bronx, New York. Every day my
colleagues and I are challenged to "fire up" our students to enjoy education
and to believe themselves LEADERS, despite their immediate need to resolve
either employment, housing, incarceration, and countless other issues.  All
of these issues reshape their self-perception that instead of leaders, they
are the remnant or, for lack of a better word, “the leftovers" in society.



I believe state and national offices should have leaders who have a clear
mission, consistent character, and a capable team. At Future Now, our
Director will refer to our mission statement as an evaluation tool and our
relatively small staff works hard to ensure that we stay on course with our
mission every day.  However, perhaps that's part of "the problem.”  We are a
small program trying to do big things while some of our state and national
offices are over sized and doing very little.  As Esther Shupe pointed out:
“Federal level people are focused on money matters and are far removed from
the places where learning takes place…”



There probably isn't anything more frustrating when trying to advocate for
young persons in need of e.g. adequate school teachers, equipment, or
addressing incomprehensible policies, etc., and yet a state "educator" who
holds the power to do something chooses not to do what is obviously just. In
fact, it is very sad.



All leaders, whether on a national, state or grass roots level, should
understand the following: Why are we in this profession?  Where are we
headed?  How do we arrive to that destination as outlined by our
mission?  Unfortunately,
it may not be that they do not understand; but rather, some have forfeited
the keeping of their character.  Paul Jurmo wrote: “…like the people we see
depicted as statues in our parks”.  So too have some of these leaders become
statues within their own bureaucracy who can see from where they stand but
are immobile to do what needs to be done to enable change.



Our leadership coordinator at Future Now has an uncanny ability of staying
focused on our mission.  Within her role, she builds a team of believers
also known from a previous post as IMPACT: a team of adult learners, all of
whom earned a GED at Future Now.  She encourages them to believe themselves
skilled and capable LEADERS in pursuit of higher education and perform
community service projects.  They are learning not to be immobilized by
their circumstances, but to put action behind their vision.



What derives from these efforts is a "multiplication" of our college
retention and leader-making efforts. And while the results we are looking to
see are still developing gradually, they are building exponentially as time
passes...with more of our students overcoming recidivism, passing their
college classes, becoming service-minded, and living out the Future Now
mission.


Yes, there are great thinkers and intellectuals who have generated great
plans. However, these plans without great people will continue to lead to
failure.  Our adult learners at Future Now may temporarily not have degrees,
titles, and other credentials, however they are learning through experience
what it takes to be a great leader; not to mention, a great human being that
makes a difference.  I believe they are also learning that leaders should
earn their right to lead.  “To lead” is a privilege that perhaps some state
and national leaders may not have necessarily earned.  Personally, I believe
a great leader is also willing to be "last.”   Leadership qualities are not
solely based upon formal education but rather the development of integrity
and maturity which happens through life experience and understanding.  Only
then can a leader truly make an impact

_________________
Robert Molina, MSW
Future Now GED & College Readiness Program
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