A Community Conversation
By ktcosmos on Feb 13, 2009 in Community
On Monday February 9, I wrote a post called “When Ideas Take Flight,” which ended with this wish:
“One good idea deserves another, and MY big idea of the day is this: how glorious would it be if some ordinary folks came together to solve some local problems. A non-partisan, group welcoming people of all ages and orientations, who would meet occasionally to brainstorm ways to improve life for others within our community.”
Tuesday’s newspaper didn’t arrive until Wednesday, due to a heavy snowfall, but in it was a blurb announcing a “Community Conversation” to be held at Prescott College’s Crossroads conference center Thursday morning (February 12).
I’d stepped back from community volunteer service for a couple of years in order to recharge my batteries and devote more time to family matters. In recent months, I’d been thinking about how and where to reengage as a volunteer. Hence, I headed across town to check this out.
- A Community Conversation
Despite black ice and snowpacked parking options, I arrived to a room filled to capacity with people from all sectors, gathered to hear a presentation by Hildy Gottlieb of the Community Driven Institute in Tucson. Hildy’s presentation on her newly released book, the Pollyanna Principle, was filmed by her partner Dmitri Petropolis for later release on YouTube.
Scanning the crowd I could see people I’ve known at various stages in my twenty five years in Prescott. As expected, Non-profits were represented by directors and board members, but there were business owners and students present as well. Seated next to me was Frankie, who observed that “Every resource we need to solve challenges facing citizens of our community is right here in this room; all we need to do is connect up with each other!”
There was a growing excitement that this could be one of those sparkplug events, which you just KNOW may lead to something big. Many expressed the frustration they felt from years of attending trainings on the next new thing, which ultimately lead nowhere. “Community Conversations” could be the right alchemy of time, human potential, and motivation to generate solutions for young and old, and everything in between.
As the crowd dispersed, folks exchanged cards and agreed to invite more people next time, and organizers (called “The Institute for Sustainable Social Change”) set a date for the next “Conversation.” I opened my calender to make a notation for March 12, 2009 (location and time tba) and discovered a conflict. As I held my BlackBerry, poised to enter the date of the next “Conversation” anyway, a text message arrived, notifying my the conflicting appointment had been changed.
Some things are just meant to be. Hope to see some of you there. Keep an eye on our new Community Calendar for details.
We have that through my kid’s school. It’s called the “Community Involvement Committee” and it’s small and a little disappointing. We came up with a really good idea for the school and parents and others to implement and then the school officials turned it into a (YIKES) Powerpoint Presentation, which they presented at the beginning of an evening school program when EVERYONE just wanted to hear the kids get up and sing. I haven’t heard anything about our idea since.
Long story short, include planning re WHO is going to run with your ideas and HOW when you start brainstorming.
Blue Gal (Fran) | Feb 13, 2009 | Reply
Fran,
Right. We’ve seen that concept here, wherein you actually apply to be on the council and are selected by an administrator. I’m sure some very committed, energetic individuals have served on those groups. As a former public educator, I view the process with skepticism.
How big is your community? I don’t know if this concept would EVER work in a large city.
As long as these “Community Conversations” aren’t actually directed (controlled) by an existing entity (whether school district or established non-profit), I see great potential. The months ahead will tell.
ktcosmos | Feb 14, 2009 | Reply
Well, Springfield Illinois has 110,000 people or so. Certain Chicagoans call it “Springpatch.” But this group is purely volunteer, but organized by the very energetic “Parent Educator” who is, first and foremost, an employee of the school. This school district, as with many I’m sure, is flooded with kids of single parents who had kids way too young (and yeah I’m a single mom but I’m 45 and have an education master’s). The teachers have a hard time getting parents to LOOK at homework, let alone participate in their kids’ education. A lunchtime meeting of this group got maybe five parents. Attendance is much better at events where kids are performing or participating. I’m going to continue to participate if only to keep my ear to the ground at my childrens’ school. Next year when my youngest enters kindergarten I’ll have all three of my brood under the same school roof for the first time ever.
I’d also love to find a group like yours in town, though I worry that no matter how good the motivations are, eventually someone has to take the reins and set some goals and take some action, which leads inevitably to the person with the most to gain grabbing the agenda.
Yeah, I think these meetings would work better in small communities where nearly everyone knows everyone else. I have a funny story about my summers in Port Townsend, Washington, where a roofer didn’t put a decent flash around a chimney, and other contractors in town gave him major grief at the watering hole and he went over the next day and fixed it. That kind of community accountability probably makes for better cooperation and less agenda-setting by the few.
Blue Gal (Fran) | Feb 14, 2009 | Reply
BlueGal, Get in touch with Hildy Gottlieb to find out what other communities are having these conversations.
I have met those wacky agenda-grabbers, too, and these days I don’t participate in groups that feature those.
You sound like a person I would like a lot and your community is lucky to have you.
ktcosmos | Feb 16, 2009 | Reply
kt – nice to see you at the ‘community conversation’ and nice to connect with your discussion… As a long-time resident and participant in a long history of commuity organizing – through various systems – I share your sense that the coming months will tell if there is a shift and the framework for this continuing conversation allows for us to engage in new ways. I’ve been involved in laying the groundwork and I’m very excited about the opportunity at hand. The Institute for Sustainable Change at Prescott College is the point from which these “community conversations” are planned. The next meeting, which was scheduled by the group in attendance last week, will be a good chance to continue the discussion about what we want our community to be… I’m looking forward to it.
Bob
Bob Moore | Feb 17, 2009 | Reply