Run Ready: Barton County Civic Leadership Lab

Chamber Launches Run Ready Civic Leadership Lab for Elected Officials and Declared Candidates

Elevate GBK Advocacy Strategy in Motion

The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the inaugural Run Ready: Barton County Civic Leadership Lab, a half-day civic leadership event designed exclusively for those currently serving in elected office or appearing on the November 2025 ballot. This targeted session is part of the Chamber’s Elevate GBK advocacy initiative and reflects a strategic investment in cultivating strong, responsive local leadership.

📅 Monday, September 15
🕗 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Great Bend Chamber Board Room | 1125 Williams St.
🎯 Free to attend — Registration Required

Facilitated by Executive & Leadership Coach Kimberly Becker of Move Your Mountain Coaching & Consulting, the event will feature powerful stories and insights from three distinguished civic leaders:

• Joe Andrasek, Former Mayor of Great Bend, will share what it was like to serve as mayor as a blue-collar worker—highlighting resilience, humility, and the power of community trust.

• Senator Tory Marie Blew, Kansas State Senate, will reflect on breaking barriers as a young candidate, overcoming doubt, and rising to state leadership.

• William Nusser, Mayor of Larned, will speak on navigating conflict and making tough decisions in city leadership, offering lessons in courage and consensus-building.

Additionally, Kimberly Becker will guide participants through practical leadership exercises focused on:

• Managing yourself during hard conversations

• Staying present and asking powerful questions

• Identifying your “Why” for civic leadership

While this first session is reserved for elected officials and declared candidates, the Chamber will expand the Run Ready program in 2026 to include additional sessions for those curious about future service. By investing in leadership development now, we’re building a stronger, more representative future for our community.

About Run Ready:
This program directly supports Elevate GBK’s strategic goal to “partner with the Kansas Leadership Center, Kansas Chamber, Kansas Farm Bureau, League of Women Voters, and other organizations to cultivate and educate business leaders to create an interest in and willingness to run for elective office.” It’s a clear example of campaign dollars at work—advancing business advocacy and civic engagement in Barton County.