The Adult Learner Leadership Institute (ALLI) program was founded by a man who was learner like me and you. His name was Henry Huffman. My first day was on January 5, 2011. Like many people, I was scared because I thought why did they pick me to go to a leadership class. When I got there, the people welcomed me with a hugs and great big smiles. I thought what a nice place to be – friendly, outgoing and everyone had nothing but positive things to say.
We began by introducing ourselves and sharing which library we came from. Faye Comb was the first speaker to tell us about ALLI (leadership class) and a little bit about how she came to the Adult Literacy Program. Then she went on to talking about the leadership program, and how she has been doing these classes for awhile now. The first day we spent talking about how they were going to equip us with tools we need to be a leader – Setting and Achieving Goals, Self Esteem, Advocacy and much more. They taught me so far that anyone can be a leader. A good leader is someone who can listen, take criticism, advice from their co-workers, friends, family and anyone who has an opinion about what you are doing, and to learn from it because you don’t have all the answers. We can learn from one another how to succeed in life and be an advocate for others who can’t do it for themselves. ALLI has taught me that I want to speak for those who trust me and appointed me to be their representative, for them, that’s what a leader does. Speak out against what you oppose whether they are work issues, voting, or your rights as a human being. That’s just some of the things this program has to offer you. It teaches you valuable lessons that you can take away with you and apply it to your everyday life.
Come join me next year at ALLI to learn the skills and be a leader for yourself, and your community. I promise you the commitment for six months is worth the time and the effort it takes. When it’s all said and done for me, to take this journey was well worth the time that I sacrificed to be a part of this tremendous group.
Update: Denise completed the Adult Learner Leadership Institute at the Benicia Library. The six-month leadership training was sponsored by Bay Area Literacy Network and the California State Library. She graduates on June 11th. Congratulations, Denise!
