The program--now operated by Silicon Valley Leadership--aims to be a comprehensive look at Sunnyvale, from the city's highest elected officials to the behind-the-scenes work that makes the city function.

Now entering its 20th year of operation and with 400 alumni, the program continues to evolve, changing to match shifting demographics and cultures. With a new class starting in October, the board of Leadership Sunnyvale has new plans for the program.

"This year, I'd like to see us do something about how to organize a nonprofit and how to sit on the board of one," said Margaret Lawson, who was president last year of the program's executive board. "But our biggest goal is to try to bring more people from underrepresented groups to enhance the diversity of the class."

Each year--except for the 1999-2000 year when the program was being restructured as an independent nonprofit--between 20 and 30 people go through the nine-month course.

Participants perform civic projects, partner with Junior Achievement to work with local high schools and listen to talks from community and business leaders.

"It gives you a group of citizens to network with that you didn't know before," recent graduate Harriet Rowe said. "And you really develop into a fraternity with the people going through the course."

Members of each class are as diverse--in age, background and interests--as the topics covered. Some people go through Leadership Sunnyvale in preparation for local politics. Six of seven current council members are program graduates.

Lawson said that education contributes to Sunnyvale's reputation as a well-run, efficient city.

"I think it comes from the knowledge that the council and commission members get from Leadership Sunnyvale," she said. "It gives them an integrated view of the city, the departments in the city, businesses, and how all those things work together."

Other students are business leaders looking to understand how they can work with the city. Some are simply concerned residents.

Rowe--a frequent speaker at council meetings--said she originally joined because she was unhappy with local government.

"I started getting involved in meetings because of a ruling I didn't like," Rowe said. "And through attending council meetings and Leadership Sunnyvale, I learned that there is a method to their madness."

Rowe said that she also felt more connected with Sunnyvale as a whole through the course.

"When I first moved to Sunnyvale, I didn't have time to get involved in boards, but I really feel more like I'm a citizen of Sunnyvale after taking the class," Rowe said.

Lawson said that connection was important because, without a major economic center, higher-education institution or other attraction, Sunnyvale residents may sometimes feel a lack of local identity.

"Leadership Sunnyvale provides people with what I think is a real pride for being in Sunnyvale because you get a sense of the history of the city and how it's run," Lawson said.

But the benefits of the program do not come cheap. Tuition is $1,600 for the course, but there are a number of financial assistance options.

"We try to not let money be the reason people don't go through the program," Lawson said.

Leadership Sunnyvale started 20 years ago as a function of the Chamber of Commerce, and continued in that capacity until the late '90s, when participation began to drop. In 2000, the board hired executive director Jim Telfer and the program evolved into Silicon Valley Leadership, an independent, nonprofit group.

Silicon Valley Leadership also overseas CitySkills, an abridged version of Leadership Sunnyvale. CitySkills gives residents a brief overview of how the city government is set up and how they can better work with the city. The program is four 2-hour courses for $15. While it's a much smaller version of Leadership Sunnyvale, CitySkills is still devoted to the same goal: a more informed, involved community.

"Every time you turn around and look at community groups, church groups, there are Leadership Sunnyvale graduates everywhere," Telfer said. "It's a life-changing experience for the students and it really makes a difference in the community."

For more information about Leadership Sunnyvale, go to www.leadershipsunnyvale.org or phone Jim Telfer at 408.749.5691 or email exec@leadershipsunnyvale.org.

Those interested in the October class can attend the recruitment meeting Aug. 10 at 5 p.m. at the Sunnyvale School District offices at 819 W Iowa Ave., Sunnyvale.