AUGUSTA -- Before he put on his red nose or showed off his one-eyed lobster hat, Maine humorist Gary Crocker made a bold statement Saturday.

"We are dangerously close to becoming terminally serious," he said to about 70 people gathered in the Student Technology Center at the University of Maine at Augusta.

Crocker, a West Gardiner resident and former lobbyist for the Maine Community College System, cracked jokes and hoisted a can of Moxie during a speech on leadership. He mixed wild stories about speeding down U.S. Route 1 with advice from Abraham Lincoln and Mark Twain.

From Crocker's perspective, good leaders must have three things: a good education, kindness and humor.

"You've got to be willing to be a little self-deprecating," he said. "You've got to use humor."

Crocker kicked off the daylong leadership conference that featured workshops run by UMA President Allyson Hughes Handley; Dean LaChance, director of community relations for Bread of Life Ministries; and others from university and community groups.

Although more than 100 were expected to attend, predictions of foul weather seemed to keep some of those who signed up from attending, said Julie Harrington, of Hallowell, student organizer for the event.

"I personally am hoping people take out of the events that leadership is for everyone," she said. "You don't have to have a title to be a leader."

Shelby Johnson, a third-year UMA student from Chelsea, said she wants to apply the leadership skills she learns to her future job as a child advocate.

"I hope to lead in that area," she said.

Hughes Handley, who recently took over as the new UMA president, said she's learned about leadership through the years while teaching in the classroom. She said she would leave the debate about whether leaders are born or made to others.

"In my view, leadership is about developing the gifts that you possess," she said.

Other scheduled workshops included sessions on the Peace Corps, resolving conflict, and valuing diverse perspectives.

As a coach on campus, Mike Zachow is already in a position of leadership. But he attended Saturday's session to see if he could learn more.

"I'm just hoping to get some overall leadership ideas," he said.

Although he spoke to the group at 9 a.m., Crocker managed to pull laughs -- and some moans -- from all corners of the room. He artfully interspersed tips on leadership with bits from his comedy routine.

Despite the difficult times we're in, Crocker said there continues to be a place for laughter and humor.

He suggested reading the comic strip Dilbert as a reprieve from much of the depressing news of the day.

He also warned against worrying.

"Leaders don't spend time on worrying," he said. "They spend time on leading."

Susan Cover -- 623-1056

scover@centralmaine.com