Leadership Sandpoint hosting Cinco De Mayo block party

SANDPOINT – Leadership Sandpoint will be holding its annual Cinco De Mayo fundraiser today in the remodeled Truby’s.

The goal: To raise funds for Bonner County Historical Society and Kaniksu Land Trust.

The block party will “Truby” be one to remember with food and drinks from local businesses and a silent auction. The aim is to raise money for the two groups to aid in their joint effort with the city of Sandpoint to preserve the character and history of Sandpoint.

The Cinco De Mayo block party will be held from 4:30-9:30 p.m. at 113 Main St.

Leadership Sandpoint is a program that gives members an opportunity to learn leadership skills through educational sessions, problem-solving, and activities in a free-thinking, idea-sharing environment of peers with a common goal – education. Emerging and existing leaders learn about the needs and potential of the community in addition to the dynamics of social and economic challenges, according to the program’s website

“The other good thing is it gives you 20 new friends, that are really cool people,” Leadership Sandpoint class president John Rinck said

Rinck said the program is a great opportunity to learn about the history of Sandpoint as well as the “non-profit landscape” and community needs with a focus on non-profit organizations that benefit the community.

“One of the things I've loved most about this is the board training,” said class member Darra Collison “that just pretty much outlines different ways in which regular old Joe Schmo can serve on a board and not completely sink the ship.”

Members go through an application process to fill a class of 20, for the two-year program. Once the class is full, members meet once a month for nine months. The first year focuses on learning new perspectives and leadership development from expert instructors and community members, while the second year has the previous year's class not only coordinating the year for incoming members but also acting as mentors.

The first year builds up to group service projects to raise money for local non-profit organizations. Sandpoint has witnessed this for over 10 years with the program's annual Cinco De Mayo block party that has traditionally been held at Trinity at City Beach.

The event will be moved for the first time from Trinity to the historic Truby’s site, now known as the Upstate Sandpoint building in downtown Sandpoint. This will be the first public event the “Trubys” building has seen since its remodel in 2016 and will also be the location of Trinity’s sister location set to open later this summer.

Rinck and Collison encourage anyone to join Leadership Sandpoint next year, not only business owners, and community leaders but members of the community who may not be as active, as the program has the benefit of creating better leaders and community members overall.

“I've gained more awareness of the different nonprofits in town besides just the basic shelter, food, and I have a better understanding of what they do,” Collison said

For information on the block party and Leadership Sandpoint visit the program's Facebook page or website