Ruff accepted into Leadership Sandpoint

SANDPOINT — Amanda Ruff, the Sandpoint Library’s e-branch manager and emerging technology/tech desk coordinator, has been accepted into the Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce Leadership Sandpoint program.

In a letter nominating Ruff for selection, a co-worker said, “I appreciate that Amanda is always open to suggestions. You will never hear her say, ‘We’ve always done it this way.’”

Amanda supervises staff in two departments and has worked in nearly every department of the Sandpoint Library since she began working there as a teen. Library officials said Ruff is an effective leader and seeks opportunities for continuous professional growth.

“I became interested in joining Leadership Sandpoint so I can become better acquainted with the organizations in the community. My goal is to share these resources with the members of the community through my work at The Library,” Ruff explained.

This year’s class begins Wednesday, Sept. 18 and runs through May 20, 2020. The 18 participants will meet monthly to enhance their leadership qualities and learn ways of becoming more involved in our community.

The goals of the program are to identify and motivate current leaders, acquaint these identified leaders with community needs and opportunities, give leaders an opportunity to meet past and present leaders, and be motivated toward greater involvement. To further facilitate community involvement, a nine-hour course in board training is included.

“San-dpoint and the surrounding communities are dynamic,” Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Kate McAlister said. “The energy and constant reshaping presents many challenges and opportunities for the local citizenry. Keeping our communities vibrant and healthy requires visionary and thoughtful leaders who have the ability to communicate, be strategic and work effectively with a wide variety of groups.”

Each year, the Leadership Sandpoint class selects a nonprofit entity to benefit from their annual fundraising efforts. A pool of organizations will make presentations to the class in December. The class chooses one to support based on the presentation and need of the organization.

The mission of the organization is to facilitate the development and growth of the leaders of tomorrow and provide an opportunity to interact with diverse community members at the class explores the various roles of leadership and involvement in the community.

“I am looking forward to collaborating with other leaders in the community and hopefully gaining some knowledge from them along the way,” Amanda said.