CALLICOON — “Leadership is not a position or a title; it is not years of service or degrees obtained,” said Karen Russell, addressing the Leadership Sullivan 2017 graduating class. “It is action and your own personal example.”

The 10-month-long community leadership development program culminated in a banquet earlier this month at the Villa Roma Clubhouse in Callicoon.

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader,” said Russell, Chair of the Foundation and a Leadership Sullivan alumnus of the Class of 2004, quoting John Quincy Adams.

Founded in 1999 by the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Leadership Sullivan aims to develop informed, committed and responsive leaders from all segments of the community to meet the challenges facing Sullivan County today, and in the future. Success depends upon “active involvement of informed, dedicated citizens who have the ability and desire to lead,” said Russell.

Organizing a Paint & Sip fundraiser to benefit Ride2Survive was cited as one example where the Class of 2017 applied collective skills to serve, strengthen and improve the community. The experience also helped broaden participants' individual knowledge of the county, and enhance communication, organization and problem-solving skills.

Russell thanked employers that sponsor participants, allowing them flexibility and even paid time off. Lorraine Kozlowski, Hiring Senior Branch Manager at Liberty Mutual Insurance, values Leadership Sullivan. Participants “learn how the business community functions,” she said, “and get to meet and talk with many people.”

Notwithstanding his title of Executive Director of New Hope Community, A. James Forbes, Jr., the evening's keynote speaker, calls himself a perpetual “leader-in-training.”

“Servant leadership, or serving the needs of others” has shaped Forbes own path. Quoting Muhammad Ali, he told the graduates, “Service is the rent we pay for a place on earth.”

“Successful leaders build on personal purpose, influence members of a group, a team, a family,” said Forbes. “Leadership is about moving forward, making difficult phone calls, stretching ourselves.”

Forbes offered graduates advice he takes personally: Do one thing a day that's really uncomfortable. Show up. Be engaged. Life is a team sport. Humility and listening are key. Be persistent, consistent, steady and decisive. And his final words? “Be fair. Be fair. Be fair.”