There are different types, and Tucson could use all varieties

The dictionary defines a leader as “a person who has commanding authority or influence.”

But as Tucson Citizen reporter La Monica Everett-Haynes notes in a package of stories below, the working definition of an effective leader is far broader.

There are many different types of leaders, and Tucson is in need of all of them.

Tucson certainly needs more leaders who meet the traditional definition – people who, by their position, have authority and influence. There is a dearth of people willing to take on that responsibility – especially when it comes to local elective office.

This fall, for example, Tucsonans will elect a mayor and three members of the City Council. Two of the council seats are being vacated by the incumbents, leaving an open path for new voices and new leaders.

But interest is lacking. Mayor Bob Walkup – a Republican in a Democratic city – is being challenged by only two relative unknowns.

Shirley Scott, the only incumbent member of the council seeking re-election, has a single opponent. Five candidates in total are seeking the council’s two open seats.

This is the nation’s 32nd-largest city; 10 people are running for four city seats in a municipality of 520,000.

The apathy doesn’t stop at the city limits. Pima County has more than 1 million residents. In 2004, when three supervisors were up for re-election, they faced no opposition until three Libertarians jumped in at the last minute.

In 2002, two supervisors’ seats were up for election. One supervisor had a free ride; the other faced an opponent only in the primary election.

Understandably, not everyone has the time or talent to serve in elective office. But as Everett-Haynes noted, there are other ways to serve and other type of leaders needed.

Former Mayor Thomas Volgy talks about “a revolving leadership that varies a lot with the nature of the problem.” That gives everyone his or her own opportunity to take a bite of the leadership pie.

And as several people pointed out to Everett-Haynes, leadership is not always a highly visible position. The Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona has 500 children waiting for mentors. The center also has 800 different volunteer opportunities around town.

Walkup notes, “Good leaders really understand that it is about making the quality of life better for others – before themselves.”

That can be done as a leader in volunteer work or in any of this community’s issues.

Tucson and any healthy, vibrant community need all kinds of leaders. There are leadership positions out there perfectly suited to you.

You have the time. You have the skills. You are needed to be a leader.

WHO WILL STEP UP?: Broader definition of leadership needed

WHAT’S NEEDED: All it takes is an hour a month

This entry was posted on Monday, July 2nd, 2007 at 12:00 am and is filed under Opinion. Tags for this post: Opinion-World, page-b01, World. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.