2025 Rural Communities Water Managers Leadership Institute
Water leaders, community residents, water agency staff and board members are invited to participate in the Self-Help Enterprises Community Education Initiative through our Leadership Institute program. This Institute creates the space to develop relationships between residents and agency staff, gain perspective on the needs of all water users, and lay foundations for the hard work required to address realistic and equitable water management for everyone.
This upcoming version of Leadership Institute is under development.
We are hoping to offer rural community leaders and water management staff a unique opportunity to talk with, listen to, and learn from one another.
This will be a space where participants learn about:
• Central Valley water: where it comes from, where it goes, and how it is used.
• Rural community voices: experiences, challenges and potential solutions.
• Synergy: how communities, counties, environment, agriculture, and regional water supply managers can collaborate toward sustainable solutions for the Central Valley.
For More Information, please contact:
Adriana Becerra
• Mobile: (559) 909-8068
• Email: adrianab@selfhelpenterprises.org
Sue Ruiz
• Office: (559) 802-1687
• Email: SueR@selfhelpenterprises.org
Para ver toda la información de esta página en español haga clic aquí
Para obtener más información en español, póngase en contacto con:
Adriana Becerra
• Movil: (559) 909-8068
• Correo electronico: adrianab@selfhelpenterprises.org
Please sign up to our interest form for more information as development continues:
Leadership Institute Interest Form – Google Forms
Please note by signing up to our interest form we will share partner trainings, resources and educational opportunities we feel would be of benefit to you.
There is no charge for participation.
Stipends are available to rural community participants.
(Participants at the Friant Dam for the 2025 Fall Self-Help Enterprises Water Tour)
2025 Leadership Institute is under development.
Please fill out interest form for more information in the upcoming future.
(participants at Madera County Chambers for in class sessions fall of 2024)
(Water Leader Panel for 2024 Graduation Session)
“My overall experience was very enriching. I learned the importance of leadership and community outreach and about those who need this resource the most. I loved the group dynamics that taught us to put what we learned into practice.”
~ Keila Davila
(Participants at the 2024 Self Help Enterprises Spring Water Tour near Shaver Lake)
More on the Leadership Institute:
Self-Help Enterprises is a nationally recognized community development organization and respected Technical Assistance provider, having served rural communities in the San Joaquin Valley since 1965. At the core of this Leadership Institute effort is the empowerment of residents to take control in the development of their own community infrastructure needs. Leadership Institute was intended to address the complex and multifaceted issues facing rural communities at the source. Self-Help Enterprises believes no one knows a community better than the residents who live there.
To accomplish this, Self-Help Enterprises trains and supports community leaders to secure resources and guide development to meet community water needs. This way, residents move to the forefront to ensure collaborative solutions for their community needs.
This Community Engagement Leadership Institute provides training for San Joaquin Valley community residents, including basic hydrology, water policy, state and local agency knowledge, community resource development, and effective communication skills. To better collaborate with local water management agencies, participants are provided soft skills training such as public relations, consensus building, and conflict resolution. Increased knowledge will empower participants to engage in local water management decision-making.
(Participants visiting a Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program project development site to learn about buffer zones)
The 2024 Leadership Institute Community Engagement program focused on relationship-building between communities and agencies. We are hoping the result will be solid and long-lasting connections to bridge the gap and provide effective solutions to sustainable Central Valley water needs. In this upcoming development, we hope to address the needs of the people we serve in this everchanging water systems and regulations.
Are you in?
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Leadership Development Impact
Highlights from past Leadership Institutes:
- — 2019: 13 Participants
- — 2020: 38 Participants
- — 2021: 16 Participants
- — 2022: 16 Participants
- — 2023: 39 Participants
- — 2024: 47 Participants
Building on a decade of training, over 150 rural community leaders from all over the San Joaquin Valley have participated in the program since its inception. The Leadership Institute is designed to teach participants tools, techniques, and strategies to impact positive change in their communities.
New this past year, Self-Help invited and encouraged GSA staff, county staff, environmental group members, and agriculture representatives to genuinely engage rural community leaders in the water management efforts required by SGMA, multi-land repurposing (MLRP) efforts, and by most funders of water management projects.
Leadership Institute Funders
This Leadership Institute is offered free to interested participants. Funding for the Institute was provided by the USDA, Rural Development, Kaiser Permanente, NeighborWorks, and The Campbell Foundation.
FAQs
FAQs
Why should I consider becoming a leader in my community?
Community leaders make a difference in our communities and play a pivotal role in helping improve the well-being of residents.
How does the community benefit from engaged residents?
Engaged residents identify community needs and enables communities to realize their vision for a vibrant, welcoming place for all to call home.
How does Self-Help Enterprises assist with the training of water and sewer boards?
Self-Help Enterprises works to educate residents about the roles and responsibilities of a board and set the ground work for boards to function effectively.
Interest Form
If you are interested in information about future leadership development trainings, please complete the interest form. A Self-Help Enterprises staff member will contact you. Link to apply to this institute: Leadership Institute Interest Form – Google Forms
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