Dodge City's leaders are responsible for solving problems and taking action, using whatever tools are available, attorney David Rebein said Thursday.
"Ask yourself, 'What can I do? What action can I take?'" he said during the first session of the annual Leadership Dodge conference.
Rebein delivered a message of encouragement to approximately 15 local business professionals attending the conference. While citing national and world leaders, writers and athletes, Rebein told the group that it could improve the community by spreading optimism instead of negativity.
"You don't have to go very far to find the other kind of message," he said. "You don't have to turn on the TV to get the bad news. It's in the air; it's on the Internet."
Rebein said discouraging news about the economy, the environment, the health care system, war and disease can leave people asking, "Are our best days behind us?" But he said community leaders can create positive change by avoiding this mentality and clinging to the ideals the country was built upon.
"America has a dream," Rebein said. "There is much that is good and even great about this country. The dream lives on. We should realize that our job is to pass on this message. The dream will never die. We are free people in a free country."
He said that liberty, responsibility, optimism and persistence are core American values that can be applied to leadership on a daily basis.
"You can dare to be great, dare to be bold, dare to be free," he said.
The poem "Do It Anyway," written by Kent Keith and used by Mother Teresa, was highlighted to show that good leaders serve others, stand by their principles, dream big and work hard, even if they do not receive praise and appreciation.
Rebein said people can have the life of their dreams if they never quit and continue to pursue happiness.
"No amount of faith will carry the day without persistence," he said.
He said prominent figures in the community have a duty to instill an appreciation for the town and country in local youths.
"What is our responsibility?" he said. "We must pass this dream on to the next generation. It is possible, but only if we live it, guard it and love it."
Leadership Dodge includes eight more sessions that run through May 21. Three initial sessions allow members to get to know each other and learn basic leadership skills. During the other sessions, participants go into the community to gain a better understanding of the its main values and identify areas for improvement.
Topics covered during the panel discussions and activities include social services and health care, law enforcement, public works and education. The group also visits area schools, Dodge City Police Department and other organizations and businesses.
Marg Yaroslaski, a Chamber co-chairwoman and assistant professor of speech at Dodge City Community College, said this year's Leadership Dodge includes representatives from Youthville, Cargill, Victory Electric, Western Beverage and the college, as well as several people who are self-employed.
Another co-chairwoman, Karen Ackerman, said the variety of perspectives in the group would give everyone a chance to learn and find ways to be more effective leaders and affect change in the community.
Reach Cherise Forno at (620) 408-9931 or e-mail her at cherise.forno@dodgeglobe.com.
DODGE CITY —
