By Gina Griffiths
STARS
Class 29 Blog: This is a blog series about the experience and impact of Scottsdale Leadership’s Core Program. The views expressed here represent those of class members and not those of Scottsdale Leadership.
Class 29 embarked on our first full day of the Core Program with a little bit of uncertainty and a lot of enthusiasm. Our focus for Day One was Community Stewardship and Sustainability. This was a fantastic way to start the program year! We were able to learn from community leaders and see examples of what can be done, often with only will and determination in the beginning. Who knew all of this was right here?
We began our adventure exploring the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. I had no idea this hidden gem was right in ourbackyard! Mike Nolan (Class 27), Executive Director, shared the history of the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy (MSC); a group of dedicated citizens knew that Scottsdale had to protect this beautiful asset to the community. They rallied the greater community to come together and support this initiative. They have worked tirelessly for over 2 decades and MSC currently protects well over 30,000 acres. This is one of the largest urban preserves in the country! They utilize almost 600 volunteers and have identified 743 different plants and animals! Without the forward thinking of the founders, this amazing area would not be available for urban visitors to connect with nature.
Next, we visited an exceptional nonprofit, Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Services or STARS (I have to admit, I’m a little biased about STARS because I’m fortunate enough to be their Program Director). We heard from the esteemed Mary King; Mary founded STARS, along with a committed group of parents, by identifying a need for services for adult children with special needs in Scottsdale. Mary has been an active community advocate all of her life and is the epitome of how to find resources and get things done. For over 41 years, STARS has been improving the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities through day programs, vocational programs and a transitions program. On any given day, we serve over 200 teens and adults on our two campuses and in the community. And throughout the visit, I heard several long-time Scottsdale residents say “I had no idea this was here!”
Community stewardship sounds rather big and intimidating, but we learned that fine examples of community stewardship are thriving all around us. The common theme to finding success is people. When any one of us identifies a need, we can rally the troops and make sustainable change. It’s not easy, but with effort and determination, we really can change the world, starting in our own backyard. At the end of the day, I felt grateful to be a part of a community that has a strong foundation built that will help foster it into the future.
The Scottsdale Leader 
I felt the same way during our exploration of the parts of Scottsdale that we don’t typically have access to or learn about. It really helps us appreciate what we have and why it’s so important to maintain our leadership strength in order to preserve it!! Nice article Gina.
Great post, Gina! Love your last paragraph, and I think that Mary King made that point ever so clearly in her talk with Class 29 last week. She made me feel like we could all make a difference – no matter how big or small. We just have to start. It is lovely to know, as you stated, that this community has the foundation to foster this kind of action.
Gina, nice job of recapping this important day. Thank you keeping the alumni refreshed with new info from Class 29!
Great blog Gina! Our Scottsdale backyard is chock full of wonderful surprises!