Overview of Leadership Monroe Sessions

 The opening session introduces students to leadership and personality profiling concepts. The class will examine the differences we have as individuals and how divergent viewpoints and styles can contribute to the cohesiveness of a group. 

 Refining personal skills and learning to draw out the best in each individual in a group are among the goals of this session, as well as providing an overall introduction to the program and acquaint class members with each other. 

This session includes an overview of the Monroe County economy, examines the Keys history and the evolving economic engines - the booms and the busts, alike.   The class will review Keys’ current and potential issues that impact our economy. The class will learn about tourism trends in Monroe County and gain insight on the inner workings of the Tourist Development Council.

As the major economic industry in Monroe County, it impacts every community sector, and not only financially, but also socially, culturally, and now as a global identity.

 Our past is prologue to the present, and the tourism industry faces many challenges, not only marketing, but the impact on our futures.

 This session will focus on the role the environment plays in local business, public decision making and quality of life. Experts from biological, ecological and research disciplines will help participants understand our surrounding ecosystem.

This session includes nature tours in the “River of Grass” eco-system with the opportunity to see many endangered at-risk and unique species of flora and fauna in their natural habitat.

Efforts to make the Keys “greener” and the ongoing challenges of our waste water issues and those effects on our environment will be highlighted.

Lifelong education will be the focus of this session. Participants will analyze the challenges and opportunities facing the educational system.  An overview of elementary, secondary and post secondary systems in place will be presented, as well as non-traditional and ancillary programs that support education in our county. Examination of budget issues and a tour of a school facility are also included.

 The Government segment offers a look at the legislative system that impacts local residents, the complexities of governing in today’s regulatory environment, and issues currently facing public decision makers at the local and county level. Municipal, county, state and Federal representatives join the class to address the priorities  

 The class will first examine the local civil and criminal justice system through dialogue with judges, attorneys and other law enforcement officials. Included is a tour of the Monroe County Detention Center facility and examination of the community-oriented policing philosophy. Additional tour of the Key West Police Department provides insights on their mission and the challenges they face.

 The role of the Navy, the Coast Guard, JIATF, and Homeland Security in the Keys and their impact on Monroe County is addressed, both from a historical perspective and the current homeland security requirements. The ongoing effort to control the flow of illegal drugs into our country is examined. Emphasis is placed on how much the military contributes to the Keys’ tax base as well as cultural life. 

 An overview of county-wide Emergency Services will be provided. You will be able to examine the decision making process by the responsible officials and responders as a hurricane approaches and explore how it effects the Keys physically, mentally and economically.  You will meet local and national leaders involved in the decision making. You will get a first hand overview of what it takes to operate a fire station by touring the City of Marathon’s fire station, participating in a vehicle extraction and participating in a simulated exercise. Experience the medical transportation of a critical trauma patient on our state of the art helicopter “Trauma Star”. 

  Medical and health services issues directly affecting Monroe County will be addressed. Challenges and barriers encountered by consumers, providers and third party payers will be explored. County-wide health services will be presented and tours of area health facilities is included. 

 Gain crucial insight into Monroe County’s diverse population, as well as its poverty and human services needs. Experience real life problems that people less fortunate are facing and find out more about the various organizations that exist in the county to assist people in our community. 

 The Arts are examined for their historical, cultural, social and economic impact on the Florida Keys.  Leaders in the non-profit and private arts sectors and creative industries, demonstrate the contribution from the performing, literary and visual arts, and detail the opportunities and challenges for development as advocates and policy makers. Tours of arts and cultural facilities are undertaken, to broaden perspectives and give added exposure of their contribution to the history and life in the Florida Keys.