The vision behind this pilot project is to explore what it would look like to draw upon Wisconsin’s greatest resource – its people – as a source of renewal for our city and state. This leadership development effort will teach people how to engage others around their own core values, structure effective leadership teams, and make strategic choices that lead to measurable, effective action for change. In year one, 200 new leaders will be trained through intensive 2.5-day trainings, 10 trainers developed and 7 existing organizations engaged.

Wisconsin Leadership Development (WiLD) Project

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we need to recruit, train, and develop stronger grassroots leadership?
Based on a series of over 200 one-on-one meetings completed over the past year with leaders representing diverse community organizations, faith-based networks, youth groups, public policy advocates, neighborhood teams and elected officials, an important theme emerged. Without putting an emphasis on building local organizing capacity in Milwaukee and throughout the state, we face the inevitable – another set of hollow strategies without the foundation of people to make them happen. The question is how we bridge that gap in dealing with the challenge of racial disparity and strengthening neighborhoods?
What will attendees learn at a WiLD training?
This leadership development effort will teach people how to engage others around their own core values, structure effective leadership teams, and make strategic choices that lead to measurable, effective action for change. In year one, 200 new leaders will be trained through intensive 3.5-day trainings, 10 trainers developed and 7 existing organizations engaged.
How was this program developed?
At the core of the project, will be an approach utilizing five basic organizing leadership practices that draw upon a rich history of community organizing and social movements. This framework is taught at Harvard’s Kennedy School by Dr. Marshall Ganz, a celebrated civil rights organizer, and has been adapted to launch grassroots efforts around the world.
What are the five practices?

1) How to articulate a story of why you were called to lead, a story of those whom you hope to mobilize, and a story of action.

2) How to build intentional relationships as the foundation of purposeful collective action.

3) How to structure a team with shared purpose, ground rules and roles for effective leadership.

4) How to strategize turning resources into the power to achieve clear goals.

5) How to translate strategy into measurable, motivational, and effective action.

What organizations does the WiLD Project collaborate with?
There are currently several local organizations attending the first training in January 2016 including: Dr. Jeanette Mitchell—Neighborhood Leadership Institute; Public Allies; UWM School of Social Work; and African American, Latino and Hmong leadership working at the Milwaukee neighborhood level. Several local and statewide organizations have representatives serving on the project Core Team with a direct role for project design.
What communities are currently engaged in the WiLD Project?
African American and Latino leaders from Milwaukee and Madison, several Native American reservations, Wisconsin family farmers, University of WI students, and groups working on education, health care, racial equity and the environment.

Who is the Facilitator?

Dan Grandone, Grandone Consulting LLC

The project will be coordinated by Dan Grandone, who brings 16-years experience as a community organizer and leadership trainer. Mr. Grandone has worked on issues of racial and economic justice in Wisconsin, across the country and world (I.e. South Africa, Middle East). He served as a Teaching Fellow with Professor Marshall Ganz at the Harvard Kennedy School. For the initial workshops, trainers will be recruited from the Leading Change Network (501c3) – a global community of practice that brings extensive organizing background and experience leading workshops.

414-477-5929 mailto:grandone8@gmail.com

WiLD in Action

WiLD Graduates

If you are interested in funding the Wisconsin Leadership Development Project, please contact Dan Grandone at 414-477-5929 or grandone8@gmail.com.