The Leadership Los Alamos Class of 2016 gathered for orientation Saturday at Bandelier. Photo by Martha Katko

Team and confidence building activities are part of the annual orientation session for Leadership Los Alamos. Photo by Martha Katko

Participants gather at the Friday night orientation session at the Los Alamos Nature Center. Photo by Martha Katko

The 2016 Leadership Los Alamos Class kicked off its orientation weekend Friday, Aug. 28.

The new class consists of 27 adults who live and/or work in Los Alamos, and are eager to become more aware of various aspects of our town with an eye toward enriched community involvement. The class gathered on the patio at the Los Alamos Nature Center, enjoying the outdoors as the summer evening turned to night while enjoying a delectable buffet supper prepared by alumna and former board chair Debbie Huling.

Phil Bryson, president of On The Edge Productions, Ltd. led the class in a variety of leadership and team building activities designed to help participants get to know each other. Bryson specializes in developing high performing leaders and teams through the skillful design and deployment of experiential learning initiatives and training programs that help accelerate leadership, team and organizational development. He has conducted programs for many Fortune 100 companies, professional sports teams and military Special Forces groups throughout North America, Europe and Asia over the past 22 years.

On Saturday the class met at the amphitheater in Bandelier National Monument. Class members learned about their unique leadership styles and engaged in team building exercises designed to enhance learning about the styles. Bryson uses a personality test which defines people as analytics, amiables, drivers or expressives. There was a lot of laughter as students gathered by their main personality trait and discussed the pros and cons of each style.

Fresh air and physical activity fueled appetites! Ruby K’s and the Blue Window catered Saturday’s event, bringing the food out to Bandelier. After a happy hour at the fire tower, dinner was served nearby, with a view to the canyon’s edge. After dinner entertainment included Jules Carson juggling and Jeremy Smith playing didgeridoo as the sun set in the distance.

Leadership Los Alamos is dedicated to the development of informed leaders who understand issues, define problems, develop solutions and achieve positions of higher responsibility in Los Alamos. This year class members will be challenged to observe, discuss and put their leadership skills into action between now and their graduation in May. In addition, Leadership Los Alamos is partnering with the Eastgate Toastmasters Club to provide some training in public speaking.

Phil Bryson gives detailed instructions about a trust activity Saturday at Bandelier. Photo by Martha Katko

LLA participants George Marsden of the YMCA and Heather Garcia of the Los Alamos Fire Department compare experiences. Photo by Martha Katko

Happy Hour at the Fire Tower Saturday at Bandelier. Photo by Martha Katko

LLA participants LeAnne Parsons and Ken Smithson compare notes. Photo by Martha Katko

Students get an impromptu history lesson from Bandelier Superintendent. Jason Lott. Photo by Martha Katko

Dinner al fresco caps off Saturday’s orientation session at Bandelier. Photo by Martha Katko