Rural Kansas depends on volunteer firefighters—but what happens when fewer people are willing to answer the call?

When everyone in an organization shares a common framework, collaboration becomes easier and more effective. One partner told us: “The shared language and tools have helped break down silos and connect our work across departments.” 👉 #KLCImpact + #KansasCultureChange

✨Ready for what’s next on the KLC path?✨ Equip to Lead (Oct 29-30) builds facilitation skills, grows confidence in sharing KLC ideas & fosters leadership in your org or community. 📅 Register by Oct 15: zfrmz.com/2RpCNpVzw3c6qtiIZsLe 🔗 Info: kansasleadershipcenter.org/e... #KLCPath

From tackling hunger across Kansas to building a culture of leadership at Prairie View A&M, this issue of our newsletter highlights how people are using KLC’s framework to create real impact: mailchi.mp/kansasleader... Read & subscribe!

Apply by midnight, Sunday, September 14.

For Kansas farmers like Louise and Vance Ehmke, every harvest is a race against the weather—but looming cuts to the nation’s forecasting system may tip the odds even further in nature’s favor. ✍📸 AJ Dome klcjournal.com/noaa-shifts-c...

Among orgs that are relatively new partners — learning our approach to leadership & building a shared language for addressing challenges — 93% of respondents reported feeling comfortable w/ the KLC framework & noticing changes in how they approach complex challenges. #KLCImpact #KansasCultureChange

Politically, half the nation can’t or won’t understand the other half, Journal columnist Mark McCormick writes. But maybe listening to the right song can help. ✏️ Mark McCormick 📸 Jeff Tuttle klcjournal.com/opinion-they-...

🎉 Today we’re celebrating Diego’s 2nd work anniversary at KLC! 🎉 As a program associate, Diego Cortez Rios brings energy, care and fun to everything he does. Outside of work, Diego enjoys time at home with his wife and son. #KLCstaff #BehindTheKLCene

What difference could you make in one day? Join us Sept. 30 at KLC in Wichita for Take Action with Actioneer—a one-day program to design strategies, connect with peers & spark progress. 😎 Open to all familiar with KLC’s framework. 🚨 Reg. closes 9/23. 👉 kansasleadershipcenter.org/t... #KLCpath

⏰ The deadline is coming up fast! 🚨 Kansas orgs in education, faith, government & nonprofit sectors can apply for a Leadership Transformation Grant from KLC. 🤩 Give your team the tools to face challenges, adapt and create lasting progress. 📅 Apply by Sept. 14 🔗 www.kansasleadershipcenter.o...

🎉 Today we’re celebrating Sam Smith, our director of communications, on seven years at KLC! Sam’s work superpower is editing & synthesizing lots of information and then explaining it back in a way that’s clear & succinct—a gift that makes all of us (and our work) better. #KLCstaff #BehindTheKLCene

Organizational culture change isn’t a buzzword — it’s measurable, and it’s making Kansas stronger. Over the next 7 weeks, we’ll share real stories and data showing how KLC partners are building stronger organizations and communities. 👉 #KLCImpact + #CultureChange

A women’s-only sober living home: shut down. A shelter and joint-recovery facility: shuttered. Behavioral health jobs in rural communities: eliminated. Contracts with nationally renowned affordable housing experts: severed. ✍ @steflugli.bsky.social 📸 Jeff Tuttle #ksleg #AffordableHousing

What difference could you make in just one day? 😎 If you’ve completed #YourLeadershipEdge, join us on Sep. 30, at KLC for Take Action with Actioneer—a 1-day program to turn your civic challenge into a plan people can rally around. 👉 kansasleadershipcenter.org/take-action-...

Despite patterns of tepid turnout, primary elections are playing an increasingly important role in making big decisions in Kansas. ✍ 📸 Dale Hogg #ksleg

“It’s crazy to me that people started talking about building a reservoir out here back in the 1930s.” ✍ AJ Dome 📸 Jeff Tuttle #Kansas

“It’s crazy to me that people started talking about building a reservoir out here back in the 1930s.” ✍ AJ Dome 📸 Jeff Tuttle

Shoutout to Anna Porcaro on her 2-year KLC anniversary! She's a rockstar at strengthening our evaluation & IT systems. She loves how our work helps people create change across differences. Outside KLC, catch her jamming to music or walking her dogs. #KLCstaff #BehindTheKLCene

⏰ Deadline Aug 29! High school students—apply now for the FREE Civic Innovators Fellowship. 8 weeks of exploring civics, tech & culture + building real solutions. Starts 9/14.👉 bit.ly/41Wo6kY Learn more about #CivicsUnplugged: www.civicsunplugged.org #CivicEngagement #YouthLeadership

Leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about action. 🌟 Join When Everyone Leads online for a two-evening session, Oct. 7–8 (5:30–8:30 p.m. CT). Another online option: Nov. 4, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. CT. Secure your spot: kansasleadershipcenter.org/w... #WhenEveryoneLeads #KLCPath

From frozen school funds to refugee struggles, a statue campaign, and a power project in limbo—Kansas is at the crossroads of national politics and local resilience. ✍️ Bruce Janssen 📸 Jeff Tuttle #ksleg #ksed #SolutionsJournalism #CivicInformation

As Washington dismantles the Department of Education, a lifeline for thousands of homeless students hangs in the balance. ✍ Jacinda Hall / Wichita Journalism Collaborative 📸 Selena Favela #homelessness #ksed #ksleg

Big challenges won’t solve themselves. On 9/30, take a day to create real, measurable change with Take Action with Actioneer. 💪 Build a plan, collaborate with peers & use our platform to track & share results that make a difference. 📍 KLC 🔗 kansasleadershipcenter.org/take-action-... #KLCpath

From grants that help Kansas organizations spark change, to leadership conversations happening in Spanish, to programs that move civic challenges forward in just one day—today's newsletter is full of opportunities & stories. 👉 mailchi.mp/kansasleader... #KLCpath #WhenEveryoneLeads

🎉 Celebrating Jamie Moeder, our chief administrative officer, for 16 years at KLC! Jamie says her favorite part of KLC is “the people.” When she’s not keeping things running @ KLC, she’s with her girls—or hunting for that missing puzzle piece. 🧩💛 #KLCstaff #BehindTheKLCene

Ready to spark change in your organization? ✨ Kansas Leadership Center’s Leadership Transformation Grants equip teams with the tools and shared language to make lasting progress. 📅 Deadline: September 14, 2025 kansasleadershipcenter.org/grants/ #WhenEveryoneLeads #KLCpath

Homelessness isn’t just on the streets—it’s hidden in families sleeping in cars, motels, or on couches. One Wichita program is changing that story. ✍ Jacinda Hall 📸 Selena Favela #homelessness

Erica Schlender reveres ground near Moundridge, homesteaded by her great-great-grandfather, where he put down roots that continue to anchor her. ✍️ Stan Finger 📸 Jeff Tuttle

Western Kansas is booming with new jobs—but without state housing funds, communities like Dodge City could struggle to keep up with the workers they need. klcjournal.com/housing-progr...

From the streets where gun violence once shaped his life, Dr. Kevin Harrison is rewriting Wichita’s story—one relationship, one act of trust, and one life saved at a time. klcjournal.com/dr-kevin-harr...

From a river that once flooded towns to a dry bed warning of a coming desert, Dodge City is betting on an ambitious water plan to secure its future. klcjournal.com/southwest-kan...

In a Wichita neighborhood once known for violence, a small team has quietly cut shootings by 35%—and they’re just getting started. klcjournal.com/one-year-in-w...

Big challenges won’t solve themselves. On 9/30, take a day to create real, measurable change with Take Action with Actioneer. 💪 You’ll build a plan, collaborate with peers, and use our tool to track and share results that make a difference. 🔗 www.kansasleadershipcenter.org/actioneer #KLCpath

Congratulations to our newest certified When Everyone Leads facilitators! 🎉 Your dedication to equipping others with the tools to tackle tough challenges will create ripples of progress in organizations & communities across the country. #WhenEveryoneLeads #CertifiedLeadershipJedi

Facing big challenges? KLC can help you tackle tough problems & seize new opportunities. 🌟 Empower your team at every level to lead more effectively & drive real progress. 🚀 Apply by Sept. 14.

This month’s KLC newsletter highlights big moments shaping civic leadership—from national recognition for groundbreaking research to fresh opportunities for building your own leadership skills. mailchi.mp/kansasleader...

Big changes to SNAP could shift millions in costs to Kansas—and whether lawmakers act may decide how many families can put food on the table. ✍️ Zane Irwin / Kansas News Service #ksleg #FoodAssistance #HungerRelief #CivicEngagement

Second Light, Wichita’s emerging homeless shelter, faces steep challenges—building a campus while housing residents, uncertain funding, little state support, and earning trust from homeless Wichitans. ✍️ @steflugli.bsky.social 📸 Jeff Tuttle

“I’m going to say a majority of the community is not aware that tomorrow is not guaranteed at Pioneer Lodge,” administrator Diana Thompson says. ✍️ AJ Dome 📸 Jeff Tuttle

Leadership comes in moments—it’s not about authority, but about stepping in with purpose. In one day, #WhenEveryoneLeads equips you with practical tools to make progress on what matters most. ▶ 8/12 (online) ▶ 9/9 (KC) ▶ 10/14 (in-person) www.kansasleadershipcenter.org/when-everyone-leads-program

From election costs to economic shifts, this roundup captures how Kansans are rethinking systems, celebrating community wins and facing challenges with fresh ideas. ✍️ Bruce Janssen 📸 Jeff Tuttle

Wichita is missing more than 17,000 single-family homes that would have been built if the community had kept building at its pre-2008 pace. At the current clip, it would take more than 25 years to catch up. #ksleg #AffordableHousing #KansasHousing #SolutionsJournalism

Kansas is showing the rest of the country how to eliminate feral pigs without spending millions. ✍️ Michael Pearce 📸 Jeff Tuttle

Equity isn’t just a District 1 issue. At a packed forum in Wichita, city council candidates tackled challenges that resonate far beyond one district—like affordable housing, food access, and public safety. ✍️ Ainsley Smyth 📸 Jaime Green / The Wichita Eagle #ksleg #CivicEngagement

Kansas jumped from last to 22nd in mental health rankings, but access to care still depends on where you live. ✍️ AJ Dome 📸 Jeff Tuttle #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAmerica

Big things are happening across Kansas & beyond. 📰🔗👉 mailchi.mp/kansasleader... 🤩 In this edition, you will... 😇 meet nonprofits taking bold steps to fight hunger 🎓 peek inside a conference where KLC challenged higher ed to think differently 💪 see how our staff showed up through hands-on service

Ready to elevate your organization or community through the transformative power of leadership? Mark your calendar—and start preparing to apply for a 2026 Leadership Transformation Grant. The application window will be open August 11 to September 14. Learn more: kansasleadershipcenter.org/grants/

Kansas jumped from last to 22nd in mental health rankings, but access to care still depends on where you live. ✍ AJ Dome 📸 Jeff Tuttle #ksleg #MentalHealth #SolutionsJournalism

Communities in southeast Kansas are rethinking what housing looks like to meet rising demand with limited resources. #ksleg #KShousing #AffordableHousing