Gerry Beltgens - MA in Leadership (MAL)

My wife Eileen was enrolled in the leadership program and I started to realize that I loved the ideas she was bringing home. I saw how the principles of the program could provide the “glue” I was looking for to bring my varied projects together.

The pieces all came together when my wife ignored my birthday wish for a table saw and gave me a surprise weekend seminar (Leadership in Local Governance) at Royal Roads. What I found there inspired me. RRU provides a unique learning environment where it is safe to learn and explore new unchartered territory.
 
The enthusiasm of my fellow learners fuelled my passion for learning. While still working on my major project A Study of Emerging Leadership in Community Development Projects I sought the nomination to be the Liberal candidate for Delta Richmond East. This was an eye-opener into politics. Losing the nomination by only 10 votes proved to be a powerful learning experience that strongly influenced my master’s thesis. That revelation continues to colour my ideas about political leadership.

I am still involved in several projects and working with an advisory group to finalize a program for high school students. It’s called Introduction to Smart Growth Principles and similar to RRU programs is a blended online course that uses text, graphics, narration and video to help build awareness about sustainable communities for our next generation.

In 2008 I am a vice president for the Tsawwassen Rotary club that provides many opportunities to participate in community building projects, both locally and internationally. I am still working on developing increased access to post secondary education in Delta through what is now called the South Fraser Learning Community. This will be my final year on the Delta Chamber of Commerce after three years as past-president.

In October of 2007 I opened the B.C. Branch of Mercan Recruiting Ltd., an international recruiting company. We are working with healthcare, tourism and other industries to help alleviate the skills shortage in B.C. Finally, I am enjoying success as an amateur photographer and can indulge my passion for black and white images in my new old-school darkroom.

Gerry Beltgens, MAL (formerly MALT - MA in Leadership and Training) is President, AG Advisors Group, VP Business Development, Mercan Recruiting, BC.