tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20611315633742632102024-03-21T04:27:56.115-07:00kellyincourage.blogspot.cominside incourage ... shaping a community where everyday people are everyone's leadersAbouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-92105242857762979382019-10-25T05:37:00.002-07:002019-10-25T06:08:16.949-07:00Reflections on Philanthropy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HDGJfF_Piihq8ydU9wcyfrYzWTiAmAxOLxEaB-MwyL3wc4Z1e5Ebn5DEllF6Jopihp_3-SEyyockhYkUFiCStslWcjZgBXEBqGeOSlPKAdJc10JZrPG51qbhRmc97N2EXCX5jX35A-c/s1600/lovesharegrowimage_20080801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1257" data-original-width="1032" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HDGJfF_Piihq8ydU9wcyfrYzWTiAmAxOLxEaB-MwyL3wc4Z1e5Ebn5DEllF6Jopihp_3-SEyyockhYkUFiCStslWcjZgBXEBqGeOSlPKAdJc10JZrPG51qbhRmc97N2EXCX5jX35A-c/s200/lovesharegrowimage_20080801.jpg" width="163" /></a></div>
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Twenty-two years ago, I was hired to lead an organization
created by Virginia Brazeau and the R.S. Brazeau Family Foundation – South Wood
County Community Foundation – known today as Incourage. Virginia’s vision of an organization designed
to <i>meet the changing needs of the community </i>and philanthropy that was <i>by
the people, for the people</i> was intriguing to me.</div>
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As I close out my final days at Incourage and reflect on what
I have experienced and learned, I am reminded of a 2014 talk by Ambassador
James Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His comments were inspiring,
thought provoking, and genuine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
remember one quote in particular and in fact, I have carried it with me for the
past five years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It ends most every
presentation I have given in recent years, inspires me, and challenges me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It embodies what I have come to learn and
understand as the true meaning of philanthropy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He said,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>When neighbors help
neighbors, and even when strangers help strangers, both those who help and
those who are helped are transformed. When that which was their problem becomes
our problem, there is a new connectedness and new forms of community are
possible.</i></b><i> </i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="A7"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Let’s think about this for a minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“When that which was their problem becomes
our problem”…not a problem we have to fund or fix; but rather a problem that is
shared, a problem that demands a solution crafted through a common
understanding of the issues and of what is at stake, a problem that will only
be eliminated when we recognize that our personal future is intertwined in the
future of others.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="A7"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">These ideas have important implications for the
future of philanthropy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Philanthropy must
be about more than money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not a transaction
or transfer of wealth from the <i>haves </i>to the <i>have nots.</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not about doing <i>to</i> or <i>for.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather, philanthropy is about doing <i>with</i>,
doing <i>together,</i> and doing <i>alongside</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At its core, philanthropy is about love and
relationship; and community philanthropy is about love of each other <i>and</i>
this place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="A7"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Together, over the past 22 years, we have done some remarkable
things in this community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We inspired
innovation, challenged the status quo, and collectively discovered new ways
forward in the face of significant economic disruption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These experiences have helped us grow in our
understanding of community, our appreciation for diverse viewpoints and
perspectives, our sensitivity to implicit bias, and our understanding of love
and kindness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had the privilege to participate in and
witness the power of building trusting relationships based in <i>love </i>for
each other and our community.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="A7"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I am hopeful that these experiences have shaped how
we think about the future, particularly because the issues that face
communities – including ours – are challenging, contentious, and dare I say,
divisive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is only when we fully
embrace problems such as income inequality, poverty, food insecurity, and
environmental degradation as collective problems, problems that belong to us
all, that we will make headway in creating a community that works well for all.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="A7"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I continue to be hopeful and inspired by a new
generation of people in our community – and our nation – who expect to be part
of the solution to challenge and to capitalize on opportunities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People who are committed to <i>doing with</i>,
and who recognize philanthropy as an expression of love, of value, of faith,
and hope in humankind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="A7"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It has been an honor and a privilege to have spent
the last 22 years stewarding Virginia Brazeau’s vision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a better person for having had this
experience and leave this position with gratitude and deep appreciation to all
who have shared the journey.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="A7"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Kelly<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-72705431068034013322019-08-26T15:09:00.000-07:002019-08-26T15:44:25.039-07:00New national focus to redefine corporate purpose resonates with work in place at Incourage<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Where just last week more than 200 CEOs of world-leading corporations <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/19/business/business-roundtable-ceos-corporations.html" target="_blank">committed</a> to redefine their corporate purpose, in 2014 Incourage committed to<a href="https://incouragecf.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/All-In-Aligning-Assets-to-Mission-on-Local-National-and-Global-Scales-2-25-2019-Final.pdf" target="_blank"> align all assets</a> to pursue our core purpose of co-creating an inclusive, adaptive and sustainable community. The newest way we are doing this is through an active ownership practice that we call Place-Based Shareholder Engagement. Our strategy includes engaging with publicly traded firms that impact our regional and state economy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Today, Aspen Institute published <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/place-based-shareholder-engagement-where-community-and-corporate-purpose-meet/" target="_blank">“Place-based Shareholder Engagement: Where Community and Corporate Purpose Meet”</a> featuring Incourage. Along with our national partners mentioned in this blog, we hope that our efforts will help to establish a productive dialogue and collaboration with the nation’s CEOs committed to a new vision of capitalism that benefits stakeholders as well as shareholders.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As always, if you would like to learn more about our work and the impact we are having here, please contact us directly at <a href="mailto:hello@incouragecf.org">hello@incouragecf.org</a></span><br />
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<br />Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-37396587787121771552019-04-25T09:25:00.002-07:002019-04-25T10:04:17.137-07:00Co-creating a blueprint for a sustainable community<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On behalf of
Incourage staff and board, I am excited to share information about an
initiative we launched this week, with support from Nathan Cummings Foundation,
which we hope will make a powerful contribution to the future of our community:
Incourage is convening a diverse circle of residents from our region to form
the <a href="https://incouragecf.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Overview-Co-Creating-Sustainable-Communities-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">Sustainable Communities Working Group</a>. This group will engage
residents across our community to co-create a “blueprint” for the sustainable
community that our region can become. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Incourage is
committed to ensuring that this endeavor is not merely a thought exercise that
results in nothing more than words on paper. We will turn the blueprint into
real-world action: Incourage is ready to be bold in offering new funding
possibilities specifically designed to resource this blueprint created by our
community </span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;">–</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> blending grant, investment
and other forms of capital and support, to bring this blueprint to life. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">The blueprint will also inform the
priorities and direction for the newly announced Partnership for Sustainable
Communities of Incourage and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, a center
for thought-leadership and action on sustainable communities that is the first
of its kind in the state.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Realizing the
power of our potential is at the heart of what inspires Incourage to keep
pushing the envelope of what is possible in our region, and to continue to
explore what our role should be as a community foundation operating by and for
the people. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">We are honored
to work with 22 thoughtful,
dedicated community members who have
accepted the invitation to come together toward the shared goal of envisioning
a sustainable future for our region. We also look forward to the input
and insight that the Working Group members will gather from the intentional
conversations they will host with colleagues, neighbors, classmates, clients,
and others. Together, we envision a blueprint that represents the ideas,
hopes, and priorities of many people across our community.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">To help design
a process of cutting-edge co-creation, Incourage is collaborating with Joanna
Cea and Jess Rimington, whose work and research as Visiting Scholars at
Stanford University’s Global Projects Center is represented in the Stanford
Social Innovation Review article, </span><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://ssir.org/articles/entry/creating_breakout_innovation" target="_blank"><i>Creating Breakout Innovation</i></a></span><span style="color: black;">, and focuses on collaborative processes
for community transformation. Together - with Incourage </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">-</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> they will facilitate
a process that places residents in the driver's seat to identify a set of
practices to realize our community’s vision of a sustainable future.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">When I think
about us expanding our horizon and looking toward our community’s future, I
think of the reaction we enjoy when taking people to the roof of the </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://incouragecf.org/lead/tribune-building/" target="_blank">Tribune</a></span><span style="color: black;"> for the first time. The
rooftop view of the riverfront and downtown invokes awe-inspired comments and
vision; seeding conversations about possibility. It is a similar feeling of
potential we hope the “blueprint” will spark in setting our collective sights
high for what is possible with the future of our community. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Our staff and
board are very excited for the co-creative process ahead. We are
committed to learning from and acting on the reflections and recommendations
that emerge </span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;">–</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> making the blueprint as
impactful as it can be. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">If you are
interested in joining the conversations about this blueprint and sharing your own
ideas, please reach out. You can email me at <a href="mailto:kryan@incouragecf.org">kryan@incouragecf.org</a>, or Heather
McKellips at </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="mailto:hmckellips@incouragecf.org">hmckellips@incouragecf.org</a>,</span><span style="color: black;"> or call us at 715.423.3863.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Thanks for
reading and for your interest in our shared, sustainable future!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Kelly</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-13830323418861084752018-11-30T10:36:00.004-08:002018-12-03T06:38:43.221-08:00An Economy in Transition: Toward a Shared Vision<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I’ve been listening to
the General Motors downsizing announcements with a familiar feeling of angst and
empathy; the pain of economic transition is undeniable and real. Our community
has experienced this firsthand due to the impact of market forces and
globalization on the paper industry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Over the last two
decades, Incourage has come to understand that we may not be able to stop the
forces of the global markets, but we can be smarter and more intentional about
transitions. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We’ve learned a few
things about what matters. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">We’ve learned that
increasing local ownership, community led decision-making and inclusive
economic growth are essential to transitioning single-industry economies. Because of this, Incourage has focused </span><a href="https://incouragecf.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Economic-Growth-Impact-Paper-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">our efforts</a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> in these areas with
training programs, grants, convenings, research, capital projects and
partnerships/initiatives that have impacted thousands in our region. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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economic transitions benefit from ingenuity, willingness to think differently,
accepting ambiguity and perseverance – working for an economy of the future
that is emergent. The real task is
keeping the faith, or as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. famously said, “Faith is
taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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accelerating economic and cultural transitions requires examining our own
behavior as individuals and institutions. Incourage assessed our policy and practices to become smarter and more
intentional about how we use all of our resources, including our </span><a href="https://incouragecf.org/news-media/press-mention/increasing-impact-people-place-center/"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">investment portfolio</span></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">, for greater mission
impact and economic growth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As a result, we now
include holdings in publicly traded companies whose operations have a bearing
on our community, including paper companies and large retailers. Incourage
votes its shares and otherwise gives voice to resident concerns in favor of
positive moves by these companies, such as increases in their minimum wage and
effective governance practices. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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increasingly important as corporate ownership structures have changed over time
to now include control by remote private equity firms with short-term
incentives to maximize shareholder gains, often times at the expense of workers
and community. Further, we are working
in partnership with like-minded shareholders, stakeholders and public officials
to set new standards for how corporations manage transitions.</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">We’ve learned that we
need </span><a href="https://incouragecf.org/lead/workforce-central-2/"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">diverse and strong businesses</span></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> who embrace mutual value
and shared benefit for all stakeholders – business, workers and community. This is particularly important in rural,
less densely populated communities like ours where one restructuring, sale or
closure can disrupt an entire economy.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Finally – and most
importantly - we know that effective transitions require all of us working
toward a common vision of the future and a recognition that we are all
connected by virtue of this place we call home.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks for reading.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Kelly</span></div>
Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-54551340476399241042018-02-26T10:57:00.003-08:002018-02-26T10:57:53.396-08:00Incouraging Progress: Long-term thinking creates positive change for workers, businesses, and community<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A decade ago, <a href="https://incouragecf.org/" target="_blank">Incourage</a> launched a comprehensive effort to change our community’s approach to workforce development. With support from leaders in manufacturing and business, we planned, staffed, and facilitated an innovative new program called Workforce Central. As one of the first rural sites recognized by the <a href="https://nationalfund.org/" target="_blank">National Fund for Workforce Solutions</a>, we were able to leverage national investment and learn best practices from similar communities across the nation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Workforce Central generated impressive results for South Wood County: 2,000 workers and students received employment-related training; 35 manufacturing businesses benefited through improved operations and investments in workers; 7 new degrees and certificates were created, many in partnership with Mid-State Technical College; and 75 public, private, and non-profit organizations participated. This initiative also sparked several new working groups and coalitions, including the Business Education Alliance and Regional Economic Growth Initiative (REGI), both of which are going strong today. To accomplish these shared successes and maximize impact, our partner organizations learned to adapt and work together in different ways. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In order to uphold our core mission – “to meet the changing needs of the community” – Incourage also had to adapt and adjust its role in this program over time. As other organizations became more willing and able to direct new approaches to workforce development, Incourage gradually transitioned from a primary leader of this effort to a supporting partner. In the long run, we believe that “teaching others to drive and sharing the road” is preferable to keeping our organization “in the driver’s seat.” To that end, it was always our plan to build robust community capacity around workforce development, so that this important goal could flourish beyond Workforce Central, with or without Incourage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Although Workforce Central has drawn to a close, <b>it remains a powerful testament to our collective ability to work together</b>. Individuals and organizations from many different sectors put aside self-interest to achieve more as a community — proving that sustained, cooperative focus on a common goal can yield measurable results. The program also fostered important relationships and trust, from which we can all now benefit. Today, many local organizations are newly engaged in workforce and job training issues, and similar efforts have sprung up throughout the region. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As for Incourage, the end of Workforce Central does <b>not</b> signal the end of our commitment to workforce as a key lever for economic transition. On the contrary, we are eager to capitalize on our community’s momentum around workforce, and we will remain an active local investor in, and champion for, this issue. At the same time, we have an organizational mandate to meet the changing needs of the community. This means Incourage must regularly reevaluate our programs and priorities to assess where our leadership is most relevant and valuable. While such decisions can be difficult and inevitably affect real people, they are essential to ensuring that Incourage remains a responsive, innovative, and community-led organization. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At this important moment for Incourage and our community, we are refocusing our attention on three core priorities, which we see as vital to ensuring long-term positive change for our economy and quality of life:</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Shared responsibility for community and each other.</i> For Incourage, this means nurturing a sense of community ownership, pride, and ability to work together. We believe that engaged and empowered residents can expand individuals’ capacity to lead, increase collective participation in community decision-making, and strengthen civic infrastructure – all essential ingredients in sustainable economic growth. Drawing on the Community Survey and several of Incourage’s successful leadership training programs (which have included high school students, local organizations, and business executives), Incourage will help residents shape discourse into action – inspiring greater community awareness, resourcefulness, and collaboration in our journey from “They can” to “I can” to “We can.”<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Create demonstration spaces that catalyze economic transition.</i> Incourage is determined to realize residents’ vision for the <a href="https://incouragecf.org/lead/tribune-building/" target="_blank">Tribune Building</a> – a public space where local innovation, creativity, networking, business development, and new approaches to work can thrive. When we finish the renovation and open the building’s new doors, the Tribune Building will be an unprecedented resource for this community – one that is vital to our region’s long-term economic vitality. It represents community-led decision-making, support for entrepreneurs and small businesses, commitment to job quality and training, and a dynamic future for young people and families.<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Align financial resources for maximum results.</i> Incourage is committed to using our financial assets to accelerate this community’s economic transition. We have embraced <a href="http://casefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Short-Guide-Oct2015-Digital-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">impact investing</a> as a way of fully aligning our current organizational resources with our values and goals. To increase Incourage’s direct impact on the ground in Central Wisconsin, we are providing loans to local businesses and nonprofits that align with our development goals. To amplify our community’s voice in distant industrial boardrooms, we have purchased shares of all publicly-traded firms that employ workers in our region, including Wal-Mart, Domtar, Verso and more. In the coming year, Incourage will expand our involvement in “shareholder advocacy” – for example, endorsing Wal-Mart’s proposed increases in hourly wages and investments in workforce training, or challenging private equity firms’ cost-cutting efforts and decisions that threaten workers and families.</span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Over the last decade, Incourage has learned quite a bit about workforce strategies. Most importantly, we’ve learned this is complex work that requires both short-term interventions and long-term plans for sustainable change. It requires a “big picture” understanding of the interdependence of workers, businesses, and communities. And it requires a much deeper understanding of the needs of both employers and employees. What is a “Good Job”? What is a “Good Company”? And how do we, as a community, make decisions in the coming years (collectively and transparently) that will grow good jobs, strengthen businesses, and engage more of our residents in creating a prosperous future? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As we begin to consider these questions as a community, <b>Incourage will host a <a href="https://incouragecf.org/lead/community-survey-2017/" target="_blank">special public forum on March 13</a> at the Performing Arts Center</b>. This event will focus on the results of the 2017 Community Survey, in which nearly 4,000 of you shared your hopes, concerns, and priorities for our region. The new findings, along with public discussions at future events, will help inform and influence Incourage’s organizational strategy and resource investments going forward, and will be useful to many of you as well. We hope you’ll help us create actionable steps for how we can work together in the future to address survey findings. It will take all of us, working with sustained effort and common goals – as we did with Workforce Central – to build a thriving community and economy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Please also stay tuned to our website in the coming months for opportunities to take action on Community Survey results, attend an Incourage Open House and more. We always welcome your thoughts, comments, and conversation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Looking forward,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Kelly</span></div>
Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-35944079066858508602017-12-05T10:33:00.001-08:002017-12-05T10:33:27.970-08:00Better Together<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In this season of renewal, I’m reflecting on our value of ‘shared stewardship’ and its importance in the midst of change and transition.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shared stewardship implies we all have a responsibility to take care of each other and this community. Incourage believes our role in shared stewardship requires an approach that seeks balance between change and preservation – with an unwavering commitment to the common good.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With the passing of time, I see our community transitioning and beginning to shape a new identity: an identity that reflects an appreciation of community assets, a sense of possibility and engaged residents, businesses and organizations. An identity that respects the past and looks to the future.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.tribunebuilding.org/">Tribune</a> represents both our past and our future. And, as I’ve said many times, Tribune is about more than the building. The development process itself demonstrates this. Our motivation wasn’t simply to renovate a building or improve downtown. We set out to support new capabilities that enable resident-centered and community driven decision-making; the type of decision-making that is essential to realize shared stewardship, inclusive economic growth and long-term sustainable change. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recognition of these capabilities in the form of increased civic engagement has been lauded recently by elected officials – including local, state and national – who’ve received residents’ advocacy efforts for Tribune support over the past year, in volumes they’d previously not experienced from our community. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This civic engagement is just one example of how priorities identified by over 4,000 residents in our 2012 Community Survey, particularly ‘openness to new ideas and change,’ are being realized. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Five years later, with the <a href="http://www.incouragecf.org/survey" target="_blank">2017 Community Survey</a> currently underway, we’re witnessing an increased desire to be involved through the number of requests received for ‘community conversations’ – deeper discussions hosted by residents representing many facets of our community. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is another encouraging indicator of positive change and increased engagement. Results will be presented at a community forum on March 13, 2018 at the Performing Arts Center of Wisconsin Rapids.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stewardship that balances meeting changing needs and preservation has been in Incourage’s DNA since inception. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We adapt when necessary to best address the community’s changing needs – such as seeding new approaches in <a href="https://incouragecf.org/lead/workforce-central-2/" target="_blank">workforce development strategies</a>, as we have this past decade. Today, those seeds are growing strong and evolving in multiple ways that build capabilities and increase capacity across the community. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Incourage does this work while preserving our core values and beliefs. We believe that all human beings have value and should have equal opportunity; that positive change happens when people are engaged in decisions that affect their lives; and when they feel a sense of ownership and shared responsibility for their community. We believe we are better together. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In looking forward to 2018, I feel we are turning the corner in terms of progress in one of the most important and ‘least measurable’ areas that will define our future success: belief in ourselves and this community. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hear residents, young and old, asking questions, exploring possibilities and working together in new ways. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hear an emerging belief that we know this place is worth investing in – so important, as shared stewardship falls flat when you do not value what you’re stewarding.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a growing sense of pride in our place. I listen for it, nurture it and hope you will, too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is priceless.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kelly</span>Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-77057988438434932172017-06-19T13:52:00.000-07:002017-06-19T13:52:52.848-07:00Sharing Power<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As
we’ve said from the beginning – and I’ve said many times in this blog – the
<a href="http://www.tribunebuilding.org/">Tribune Building</a> is about far more than a building. It is a testament to the resilience of a
community. It is a new approach to community development. <span style="background: white;">It is a physical representation of our
belief in the wisdom of residents to determine and shape the community they
desire. At its core, it is about people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Incourage
is honored to have the Tribune’s user-centered process featured in Stanford
Social Innovation Review’s recently
released cover story “<a href="https://ssir.org/articles/entry/creating_breakout_innovation">Creating Breakout Innovation</a>”. The
research is about a new way of working – of collaborating for solutions – that
consistently delivers better results. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWHcnpH4jWogIXSuAwsCCgbgE3Sat5PhtiCgFfPV8A-QysqlZMRxLzClH0Y0OtM-oPf-c-3mUCjUx0HgJftqLQR5dtGLgq3foevfC6mZ5s5bano0E9kGbcYLD35NohrFCkq7t7_VbYWA/s1600/Good+Kris+table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWHcnpH4jWogIXSuAwsCCgbgE3Sat5PhtiCgFfPV8A-QysqlZMRxLzClH0Y0OtM-oPf-c-3mUCjUx0HgJftqLQR5dtGLgq3foevfC6mZ5s5bano0E9kGbcYLD35NohrFCkq7t7_VbYWA/s320/Good+Kris+table.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As
the article shares “<i>…even more important
than the [Tribune] building was the transformation and sense of leadership
built within the community through the design and decision-making process.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take
a moment to read the article and learn more about the five practices of
breakout innovation, as well as why incorporating an authentic user-centered
approach is challenging work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For
an on-the-ground perspective of whether engaging residents and sharing power
matters, view the <a href="https://incouragecf.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/12292016-Tribune-Survey-Snapshot.pdf">2016 Tribune Participation Survey results</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks
for reading.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
Kelly</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-35964217877388747022017-05-23T07:46:00.001-07:002017-05-23T07:46:46.318-07:00Putting People at the Center: Establishing, Restoring and Growing Trust<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The divisive mood and behavior of our country is eroding the
very thing that is essential to our vitality: trust. We are near record lows on
measurements of ‘trust’ in many areas according to Gallup, Pew Research Centers
and others. Lack of trust in media, news and information sources. Lack of trust
in government. Lack of trust in institutions and each other.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We can identify with this in central Wisconsin. When economic crisis struck our community 17 years
ago, there was no clear path forward. The sense of loss – which included jobs
and a company headquarters - was palpable. The accompanying uncertainty, fear
and anxiety did not engender collaborative behaviors or trusting relationships.
In retrospect, trust is what we needed the most and it was in the shortest
supply. Not unlike what we are experiencing in our nation today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qO6poJGByKiOL2ZFcWtgtrkByrI9vydMiMIbRAlij874o4-R2JihhBLFxSvZviqLy_hbUUGEdvb-PDyiaQTDZyhN7jGh679IjW8X2I1BUL_JyF_pLsGZNlOiBog6FXE-vCw-fB7axWI/s1600/collaboration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qO6poJGByKiOL2ZFcWtgtrkByrI9vydMiMIbRAlij874o4-R2JihhBLFxSvZviqLy_hbUUGEdvb-PDyiaQTDZyhN7jGh679IjW8X2I1BUL_JyF_pLsGZNlOiBog6FXE-vCw-fB7axWI/s320/collaboration.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Incourage began our trust building efforts in 2005. Our
goal: increase individual and collective action to rebuild a strong, local
economy in a community that works well for all people. We offered leadership
training programs that equipped residents with the skills, tools and knowledge
to build trusting relationships. We supported study tours that fostered
relationship development among participants, created shared knowledge and motivated
new thinking. We coordinated a civility initiative. We co-created norms and
collaborative guiding principles for community initiatives with partners and
vendors. We helped businesses identify shared value propositions and mutual
interests, and establish norms that guided their relationships with one
another. We invested in approaches that integrate adaptive skills into school
curriculum. We changed our own policies and practices for authenticity and
values-alignment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Incourage evaluated and applied what we learned through
these efforts to our organizational strategy, understanding that “building trust”
and “authentically engaging residents in shaping the future of their community”
was central to achieving our goal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The <a href="http://tribunebuilding.org/">Tribune Building</a> embodies this learning. It is more than
a building. It represents a user-centered approach to growing a community – one
in which we trust, value and respect each other. We began by asking the
community a simple question: what do you want this building to be? This
question launched a multi-year process of engaging residents and helping them
gain confidence, skills to build trusting relationships and a sense of
ownership for the future of our community. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZO_4pmHEj01-EktQIPCfPo_02EItIxxMO09yQSMqXldGI6tZ1efRxrsZtN_ZSugBhxDDVmFFyMVjcHYeIh_Ei1hHwnjRqWpmEjVtVkZ-wqgpkptMm4nIyi1XqWgjwhRVs29wB0WKUx4Y/s1600/Good+-+Working+Group+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZO_4pmHEj01-EktQIPCfPo_02EItIxxMO09yQSMqXldGI6tZ1efRxrsZtN_ZSugBhxDDVmFFyMVjcHYeIh_Ei1hHwnjRqWpmEjVtVkZ-wqgpkptMm4nIyi1XqWgjwhRVs29wB0WKUx4Y/s320/Good+-+Working+Group+edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Incourage has learned a lot about listening, building trust
and the importance of user participation in community decision-making and
economic development strategies through the Tribune process. We’ve also learned
about and experienced the challenge of changing old practices. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Putting people at the center and building trust is not easy,
a quick fix or short-term work. It requires intentionality and long-term
commitment. We believe, however, it is “the work” that must be done if we are
to realize a sense of unity and shared purpose in our neighborhoods,
institutions, communities and nation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Kelly</span><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-5172820514468579012017-03-23T10:06:00.000-07:002017-03-23T10:06:26.585-07:00Mission Possible: How Foundations Are Shaping the Future Of Impact Investing<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m pleased to share with you that, together with other foundation leaders from across the nation, I was invited to author a piece as part of a Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR) 11-week series, produced in partnership with Mission Investors Exchange. SSIR describes this series as one that is exploring what’s next in impact investing and what we can learn from some of the most innovative foundations. It is a privilege to be published as part of this group and to present a rural, place-based perspective from “Middle America.” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Read the full post <a href="https://ssir.org/articles/entry/increasing_impact_people_and_place_at_the_center">here</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See the full 11-week series </span><a href="https://ssir.org/mission_possible_how_foundations_are_shaping_the_future_of_impact_investing" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">here</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kelly</span><br />
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Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-27423145887857846222016-11-22T09:23:00.000-08:002016-11-22T09:23:31.133-08:00Speaking Our Peace<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At Incourage we
turned inward over the past two weeks. Inward to examine our core values and
work. Inward to consider what it means to pursue our vision – ‘a community that
works well for all’ – in a nation divided.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our collective discussions
began to restore and affirm a sense of hope and connection among Incourage team
members with different perspectives and life experiences. We share our
experience with the hope that it will inspire you to pursue self-reflection and
learning conversations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Reflective Practice</i> – stopping to assess what we’re learning,
sharing knowledge, and making course corrections along the way – is embedded in
the way we work at Incourage. This practice is represented well by a favorite quote
from Maya Angelou:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You did then what you knew how to do, <br />
and when you knew better, you did better</span></i></b><i><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We began this work
with each of us sharing our personal values. Preparation for this exercise was
not easy. It required deeper reflection inside ourselves and the willingness to
be vulnerable among our colleagues. It required everyone to listen deeply and
refrain from judgment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Discussing
‘personal values’ led to a deeper and nuanced understanding of individual differences
and similarities. We learned things about each other that we’d not known in the
course of every day work and community life. “My values have been refined over
time and with experience” was a frequent sentiment with an accompanying story
to illustrate the point. In many cases, values were clarified – or made real –
when we felt like we were made to be ‘the other’ or in an instance when we were
angry about something that we felt was unjust. Or, conversely, when we were
able to experience deep empathy and compassion for another human being. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is greater
appreciation, compassion and empathy within Incourage for the various roles and
identities we each have and how they inform our world view, values and
behavior. We have a deeper understanding that our relationship to one another
is the real work of building community: our shared humanity, interdependence
and connected futures by virtue of our shared place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Incourage’s work
builds community: the <b><i><a href="https://incouragecf.org/lead/tribune-building/" target="_blank">Tribune</a> </i></b>as resident-centered development
focuses on shifting the sense of responsibility for our economic future from
“they” to “me” to “we”; <b><i><a href="https://incouragecf.org/lead/blueprints-for-tomorrow/" target="_blank">Blueprints for Tomorrow</a></i></b> economic
development training for key, local institutions focuses on interdependence and
shared vision; and <b><i><a href="https://incouragecf.org/lead/workforce-central-2/" target="_blank">Workforce Central</a></i></b> represents nearly a decade of investment and
collaboration with a connected approach to manufacturing workforce that recognizes
the interdependence and relationship of business, worker and community. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiy1y2y_ltcj_Dmt8m56sKjZQXmMcIs7JbC2qVR9P9ipiap-LUqwZnGBKW4q7CY5ccKlFoweZZGZGm_eytBTs0B477PVTwbqClt2gSrKE22ShIyc1TnjSV3vXfiibyJgeWhqwE04R2vQ/s1600/syp_poster_english_2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiy1y2y_ltcj_Dmt8m56sKjZQXmMcIs7JbC2qVR9P9ipiap-LUqwZnGBKW4q7CY5ccKlFoweZZGZGm_eytBTs0B477PVTwbqClt2gSrKE22ShIyc1TnjSV3vXfiibyJgeWhqwE04R2vQ/s320/syp_poster_english_2016.jpg" width="304" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><a href="https://incouragecf.org/lead/speak-your-peace/" target="_blank">Speak Your Peace</a></i></b>, a program supported by Incourage since 2008 – with materials
available in English, Spanish and Hmong – is particularly relevant and a
timeless resource to support civil dialogue and behavior in all areas of our
work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, at Incourage,
we paused. We dedicated time to listen to each other. To seek deeper wisdom
about difference. To discuss connections to our work and what it means to be a
values-led organization. To affirm that our futures are connected by virtue of
this place we call home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a result of this
listening and learning there is <i>knowing</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And - as Maya says
- when we<i> know </i>better<i>, </i>we must<i> do </i>better<i>. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You have our
commitment to always strive to do better as we seek to realize a community –
and nation – that works well for all people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With gratitude and
thanksgiving,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Team Incourage </span><br />
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Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-84217701107227559802016-10-14T14:19:00.000-07:002016-10-14T14:19:05.078-07:00What is Incourage?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://incouragecf.org/">Incourage</a>
plays a unique, valuable and vital role in our community. This was reinforced
for me while reviewing the first collection in a series of <a href="https://incouragecf.org/learn/resources/impact-papers/">Impact Papers</a>
designed to serve as a periodic “Report to the Community”. The papers describe
Incourage’s work and changing role over the last two decades in south Wood
County. I have paused repeatedly – impressed by the people and organizations
who have supported Incourage and our community – and thought, <i>“How lucky are we?”</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A clear pattern of learning and adapting by
Incourage over the years has led to a wide spectrum of activities that touch
many aspects of life in our community. It is no wonder we are regularly asked <i>“What is Incourage?”</i> To effectively answer the question, I must
begin by sharing our origin story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhA0jK3ycW3opgAiGUS4ccIyQDqX46heGKraU9LOzj9q4OcCN6iqy_LamQidMW9hpEwDoOAgMfRdJe-xD8_ig1bjpfPKKckBM-sPn-hntBN5pjABLo1LWz-T3pU1Rcno9zgc1BvP_rgfQ/s1600/Virginia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhA0jK3ycW3opgAiGUS4ccIyQDqX46heGKraU9LOzj9q4OcCN6iqy_LamQidMW9hpEwDoOAgMfRdJe-xD8_ig1bjpfPKKckBM-sPn-hntBN5pjABLo1LWz-T3pU1Rcno9zgc1BvP_rgfQ/s320/Virginia.jpg" width="217" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Virginia Brazeau established the former
“South Wood County Community Foundation” (now Incourage) in 1994, with support
from the Richard S. Brazeau Family Foundation.
Virginia, her family and advisors were visionaries. They were champions
of the ‘community foundation’ concept and created an innovative plan to launch
ours. It was designed to be an organization that would serve and reflect the
interests of not just one wealthy family or one corporation. It was designed to
be created by the people, for the people. It was incorporated as a “permanent
charitable organization with a long-term perspective” to “meet the changing
needs of the community”. Vision, flexibility, a commitment to learning and
innovation were embedded in our DNA from inception.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <i><o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is these very traits – vision, flexibility,
learning and innovation – that have served us well in ‘meeting the changing
needs of the community’. There has been no greater change for our community
than globalization, automation and downsizing of the paper industry; the
backbone of our economy for over a century.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Incourage drew on these organizational
strengths and sought input from residents to determine what role we should play
in meeting the need. We conducted community focus groups in 2002 after the sale
of Consolidated Papers in which residents asked us to do more. They asked us to
create jobs and focus on growing a strong, local economy. Again, in 2012
through the community survey, over 4,000 respondents identified the top four
priorities for our region: a strong, local economy; attract and retain young
adults and families; natural
resources and recreation; openness to new ideas and change – priorities that
continue to inform our strategic direction today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Meeting this changing need” – to rebuild
and diversify an economy – is not easy work.
This is long-term, generational change. It requires new thinking,
flexibility, persistence, innovation, collaboration and a sense of shared
destiny among the people, businesses and organizations that call this place
home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>So
then, “What is Incourage?”</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Incourage is a community economic development
organization. But not just any community developer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are a community developer that uses
philanthropy as a primary tool, is anchored in this community and uniquely
suited to lead long-term, multi-generational work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are a community developer that stewards
and connects community capitals – moral, social, human, intellectual,
reputational, financial and natural – toward a powerful shared vision: a
community that works well for all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoaKPd8DNrK-1ZwuWUqSJDganj7_RfxGL8Peg3DwFHd6QZjCjEYFmHYatzU2fgVdtiIXZ3NyT5Q0YQxK_hS2XJpmzA8y150tjv4USVcxp5h3h_p9zQjjyY9tyYSRq5sJkTpySm6j7dtA/s1600/Tom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoaKPd8DNrK-1ZwuWUqSJDganj7_RfxGL8Peg3DwFHd6QZjCjEYFmHYatzU2fgVdtiIXZ3NyT5Q0YQxK_hS2XJpmzA8y150tjv4USVcxp5h3h_p9zQjjyY9tyYSRq5sJkTpySm6j7dtA/s320/Tom.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are a community developer that uses our
values of equity, opportunity and shared stewardship to guide our investments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are a community developer with a central
belief that the greatest asset we have is our people, many of whom are featured
in this 2013 presentation recognizing Incourage as a national “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4KJbWdMUqY">Big Bet for the Future of
Philanthropy</a>”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are a community developer with a belief
in the wisdom of residents to determine and shape the community they desire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>So, how do you accomplish this? What does the
day-to-day look like?</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Incourage has and will continue to invest permanent
charitable funds and distribute grants for the benefit of the community…and, we
do so much more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are a <a href="https://incouragecf.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Incourage-Investment-Policy-Statement-and-Preamble-2016.pdf">lender</a>
to local small business and entrepreneurs. We are an <a href="https://incouragecf.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Incourage-Investment-Policy-Statement-and-Preamble-2016.pdf">investor</a>
in community banks, credit unions, affordable housing, <a href="http://www.tribunebuilding.org/" target="_blank">downtown development</a> and hold shares in local paper companies. We are leading
efforts to <a href="https://incouragecf.org/lead/workforce-central-2/">transform
manufacturing workforce development</a> for the benefit of both businesses and
workers. We bring individuals and organizations together for <a href="http://kellyincourage.blogspot.com/2016/08/become-informed-get-engaged-betting-on.html">community
dialogue</a> on issues and opportunities important to our future. We support
and facilitate networks of individuals and organizations with common interests
to increase collaboration, impact and advance collective good. We commission
and are a source of <a href="https://incouragecf.org/learn/resources/research-education/">research</a>,
<a href="https://incouragecf.org/learn/resources/publications/">educational
briefs</a> and <a href="https://incouragecf.org/learn/vital-signs/">data on
community indicators</a> of economic growth and opportunity. We advocate for
<a href="https://incouragecf.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Summary-of-Incourage-Federal-Partnerships.pdf" target="_blank">policies</a> and investments that benefit our region. We operate <a href="https://incouragecf.org/lead/blueprints-for-tomorrow/">training</a> and <a href="https://incouragecf.org/lead/adaptive-leadership/">leadership programs</a>
that support the growth and development of residents and community
organizations. We are a community organizer around a <a href="https://incouragecf.org/about-us/our-approach/">shared vision</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Incourage will continue to learn, adapt and
be responsive to the changing needs of south Wood County. We will seek partners
and model shared leadership. We will respectfully challenge ‘business as usual’
thinking. We will embody courage and take prudent, values-aligned risk. We will
be transparent and share both successes and failures. We will test new
approaches that capitalize on learning, build trusting relationships, reflect
resident priorities and maximize resources to realize a community that works
well for all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are a resident of south Wood County
or have an interest in its future, I do hope you’ll take the time to read the <a href="https://incouragecf.org/learn/resources/impact-papers/">Impact Papers</a>.
Economic Growth is a great place to start. You might be surprised and impressed
by the involvement and support of so many in this journey – engaged board
members and staff, donors, residents, former residents, volunteers, businesses,
community organizations, national foundations, state and federal funding
agencies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perhaps you’ll consider Virginia’s foresight
in creating an organization that is “by the people, for the people”, and join
me in thinking <i>“How lucky are we?”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kelly</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-70647936378090662112016-08-15T10:23:00.000-07:002016-08-15T10:23:28.379-07:00Become Informed. Get Engaged. Betting on the People of South Wood County<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Incourage believes that a healthy community
is an informed and engaged community. We’ve worked in partnership with John S. and
James L. Knight Foundation since 2009, to understand and invest in the
connected concepts of information and engagement as key drivers of economic
health and the vitality of a community.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A recent example of this work is a
partnership with Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service (WIPPS) to
co-host “Community for Us, By Us,” elevating the voice and opinion of all
residents on community issues that matter to them. The first two meetings
surfaced three priorities: Creating a Public Forum for Authentic Dialogue
on Community Issues, Community Aquatics and Downtown Development. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Simultaneously, the South Wood County YMCA
and City of Wisconsin Rapids were separately pursuing action on the issue of
aquatic facilities. They presented options to the public on July 26 (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk5dMOYqR-E">Wisconsin Rapids Aquatics
Options Presentation 7-26-16</a>)<i>.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s unfortunate, however, that the options
were presented as seemingly mutually exclusive – one or the other - with no
opportunity to ask questions, clarify information or voice opinions. Attendees
were told to submit questions online or to call a council member to express an
opinion. Given the format and delivery of the presentations, an “apples to
apples” comparison of the information was difficult and a polarizing frame was
created – are you for indoor or outdoor? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The third<i> </i>WIPPS Meeting was held on
August 9. An engaged group of 44 individuals showed up to discuss aquatics –
not to talk about indoor versus outdoor options, rather, to fully explore this
as a community issue. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiz85hKfF232-fJmCs8C0hkYWFkzXbKEO8DwDvMA8nk-cCdQk7jixrdR39inpohW5LOqfzhlRzd3aLsQfUWAMlHoqVo8T_p8Ho5wrCnwur2kQfCoao-2oYikasUy9JWJStOxHe07gqM2g/s1600/WIPPS+080916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiz85hKfF232-fJmCs8C0hkYWFkzXbKEO8DwDvMA8nk-cCdQk7jixrdR39inpohW5LOqfzhlRzd3aLsQfUWAMlHoqVo8T_p8Ho5wrCnwur2kQfCoao-2oYikasUy9JWJStOxHe07gqM2g/s320/WIPPS+080916.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Various opinions and perspectives were
represented with civil dialogue and respect. Assumptions and questions were
surfaced, including “How do we understand the options presented and make informed
comparisons? What are the sources of funds and specifics of financing?
How can we assure aquatics are available to all? Is this really a choice of
indoor versus outdoor facilities? How can we have both?” The process also
encouraged individuals to think with a broader lens on the issue: to assess
their own interest in aquatics, the benefit to the community and the impact on
future generations. I encourage you to review the <a href="https://incouragecf.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/WIPPS-Final-Meeting-Summary-080916.pdf" target="_blank">WIPPS Meeting report</a></span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The issue of aquatics also presents an
important learning opportunity that can inform future progress. In the last
fifteen years, there has been research, leadership development projects and
citizen action groups formed, all to address aquatics. Yet all failed to come
to fruition. This is not a statement to cast blame. It is a statement that
invites inquiry and examination of how we address community issues and take
action. How do individuals participate? How do institutions receive input
from the broader community and make decisions? What barriers were
encountered in previous efforts? Do they still exist today? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Answering
these questions will accelerate our ability to make progress in realizing a
community – and an economy – that works well for all. One in which residents
are informed and engaged, funders respect the wisdom of the user and don’t
exert undue influence to achieve outcomes they believe are best, and organizations
are committed to inclusive processes and working together for the common good. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Kelly</span></div>
Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-17932326361521145412016-08-02T09:36:00.000-07:002016-08-02T09:36:05.323-07:00Community Picnic: It’s About Us<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Five years ago Incourage made a
bet on the people of south Wood County. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>We
bet that if we replaced our traditional annual meeting with a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://incouragecf.org/act/community-picnic/" target="_blank">community
picnic</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>celebrating local
assets and designed to be welcoming and open to all, you’d show up. We hoped you might support the event
in some way over time and might even help it grow into an annual,
community-owned and led effort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDH6AR8Hph3o3xgwVjzszUc0Gn0CYb22XwIDJAYqLV01pM2fgQDNMcPqPGkE_nKhFZucnv5rRfsAABGFpaTvZ-8_24voMYRSHvqjQnzT1l7q3DQF3d5YTAiRHfEA9k8hEhmXOnvJaySK0/s1600/Volunteer+Pyramid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDH6AR8Hph3o3xgwVjzszUc0Gn0CYb22XwIDJAYqLV01pM2fgQDNMcPqPGkE_nKhFZucnv5rRfsAABGFpaTvZ-8_24voMYRSHvqjQnzT1l7q3DQF3d5YTAiRHfEA9k8hEhmXOnvJaySK0/s320/Volunteer+Pyramid.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Here’s to the people of south
Wood County.</i></b> You not only showed up, you asked
“What can I do to help next year?”. We
have over 400 volunteers registered for this year’s picnic! <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>There are now more volunteers for the
picnic than we had attendees at our traditional annual meeting. And, the composition of the volunteers
and attendees at the picnic is more diverse and reflective of our community. People of all ages, income, professions, political views and ability are coming
together to donate time, talent and resources to make the community picnic a
success. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> <u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A local farmer, Harold Altenburg,
called the first year and asked, “What can I bring to the picnic?”. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He showed up with 1,000 ears of corn,
a roasting machine and volunteer help. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Harold
will likely exceed 20,000 ears of corn donated since the event began at this
year’s picnic. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Corn that is
grown with love, served with a never-ending smile and a positive comment about
our great community. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Harold’s
enthusiasm is contagious –</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zckTY6s7wb0" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">take a look
at his comments from a past picnic</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Partner organizations, including
food vendors, have increased every year. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As of this morning, 60 community
partners are contributing time, labor, product and services.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Although the picnic is offered
at no cost to attendees, many people want to make a financial contribution –
especially after experiencing the event. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Free will financial contributions are
accepted onsite at the picnic or</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://incouragecf.org/give/give-online/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">online</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVb3pV3ene10NcKpGpTNSWXDvY4u2vPO0B-4OqDNDa-2iO0XRjYR1KNWRhm-T4AZAG2XrVZHQ1fn-IuFV_cXGoxgoiZEl-STk80x5vQpeJlEjWIlo5G_d4N43IoCEsQYeHqOJBiXcJD0/s1600/Girls+with+shave+ice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVb3pV3ene10NcKpGpTNSWXDvY4u2vPO0B-4OqDNDa-2iO0XRjYR1KNWRhm-T4AZAG2XrVZHQ1fn-IuFV_cXGoxgoiZEl-STk80x5vQpeJlEjWIlo5G_d4N43IoCEsQYeHqOJBiXcJD0/s320/Girls+with+shave+ice.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every year the number of people
attending has increased – we expect over 6,000 this year – and, perhaps, we’ll
even hit 7,000. The people
of south Wood County are showing up and we’re happy to welcome all to this
event. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Importantly, this picnic is about
so much more than food.</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s about transitioning an
economy, celebrating our assets and restoring a sense of pride and hope in our
community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Healthy communities</i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>create enabling conditions for all people to meet their full
potential.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>We can’t support
all people in meeting their full potential if we don’t know them. <u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Healthy economies</i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>are local and inclusive. Local
and inclusive means we know the people who live in our shared community. <u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW13fpmViYpWdy-oKMfjUF-c_piUQS-HTOXlWbCcAPsby7dXKXprlJsydkCu6Xa7SK5uZJ0fnhLAU-bDXUcIMw6hhqMpOngVSh-mMZv_xbFuXd9YeOJ-zGbXY4OptnB7Q0y-Q2xqrG6l0/s1600/Old+guys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW13fpmViYpWdy-oKMfjUF-c_piUQS-HTOXlWbCcAPsby7dXKXprlJsydkCu6Xa7SK5uZJ0fnhLAU-bDXUcIMw6hhqMpOngVSh-mMZv_xbFuXd9YeOJ-zGbXY4OptnB7Q0y-Q2xqrG6l0/s320/Old+guys.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Look around at the picnic and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b><i>really see</i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the diversity of people that live in
our community. Ask people
to share their story. Why
do they live here? What are
their hopes for the future? What
do they love about this place? What
are their challenges?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Join us on the riverfront in
downtown Wisconsin Rapids this Wednesday at 4:30.</b> Get an ear of corn and a smile from Harold, food from
generous local vendors, enjoy local talent and meet someone you don’t
know. You’ll be building a
healthy community and economy in the process.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See you there!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kelly</span></div>
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<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
</div>
Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-62931609240185199182016-06-16T07:18:00.000-07:002016-06-16T07:42:48.521-07:00It’s About More Than a Building<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>The <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a href="http://tribunebuilding.org/" target="_blank">Tribune building</a></span></span> </b>may appear quiet at the site
these days, however, appearances can be deceiving as activity levels remain
high and moving forward on all fronts. Incourage is committed to making good
decisions about moving to the next phase of capital construction in a fiscally
responsible manner. In the context of
these discussions and decisions, funding is important but only one factor in
forward movement – and, frankly, one of the easier factors to address. The building will get funded. It’s one thing to renovate a building. It’s another to create the conditions in the
community for success and sustainability.
As we’ve said repeatedly<b><i>, this is about so much more than a
building. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpTrSAh7sYvPCifoFneWMFIVlcDyxUkzACtwj2ylaRHimSLn4yrP-QNw4xTobRwws22lf_WKD2VmcSELfTYshHd4Hu5sVeT41Cein4sOhWtFQwDetRyiTl4bXGdbqZy05XHbxKNmMryI/s1600/000+Rick%2527s+Table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpTrSAh7sYvPCifoFneWMFIVlcDyxUkzACtwj2ylaRHimSLn4yrP-QNw4xTobRwws22lf_WKD2VmcSELfTYshHd4Hu5sVeT41Cein4sOhWtFQwDetRyiTl4bXGdbqZy05XHbxKNmMryI/s320/000+Rick%2527s+Table.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Realizing
our vision – ‘a community that works well for all people’ – requires a holistic
and long-term perspective on change that encompasses more than the Tribune
building.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Rest assured – we’d like to
see workers on site and renovation accelerating, and it will happen.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">However, fostering community change is not
quick or easy work. It requires long-term perspective, commitment to values,
perseverance and patience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">In addition
to securing financial support for the Tribune and broader community, we are focused
in areas of work that are interdependent and when approached simultaneously
create conditions for long-term success – not only for the Tribune, but for all
development projects and investments.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">These include:</span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">supporting
increased <a href="https://incouragecf.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/June-28-WIPPS-FLYER.pdf" target="_blank">engagement by residents in community processes & decision-making</a>; </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">investing in
<a href="https://incouragecf.org/lead/blueprints-for-tomorrow/" target="_blank">training and supporting key institutional partners to increase collaborative practice in economic development</a>;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">advocating
for <a href="http://kellyincourage.blogspot.com/2015/05/balance-transparency-and-equity-keys-to.html" target="_blank">increased trust, collaboration and shared vision in development activities</a>,
and; </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">refining and
adapting our own <a href="https://incouragecf.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Incourage-Strategy-Map-4-1-16.pdf" target="_blank">operating model to achieve greater impact</a>. </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Tribune sits
at the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://www.google.com/#q=fulcrum+definition" target="_blank">fulcrum</a></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">of downtown development – or more broadly,
how we approach business and decision-making as a community.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">In our role
as a ‘community developer’ we’re learning a lot about the need for changing the
way we do economic development and conduct business as a community, state and
nation.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Some of the changes are
technical – a change in policy or procedure in terms of how financial capital
flows to good projects and to different parts of the country.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Some needed changes are much more challenging
– especially those that are cultural and embedded in old practice, privilege
and power.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">This is
particularly evident in local downtown development – the very environment
within which this $14 million investment will be made.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Optimal development conditions are not those
in which you feel compelled to be at every public meeting in case your project
is compromised in some way because of opaqueness or individual agendas.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">This is not conducive to engendering trust,
collaboration and alignment toward a shared vision.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">The analogy of a chess game comes to
mind.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">We will not
realize positive community change with legacy practices and thinking.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Concentrated power and control in the hands
of few was a widespread practice of the past century – not just here, but in
many places across the country whose economies were anchored in single
industries and embedded structures of hierarchy.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><i>Authentic
inclusion</i></b><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"> </i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">of all
stakeholders in decision-making, strategy and determining desired outcomes –
not just lip service in terms of conducting a nominal survey or a one-time
focus group – is one of the most important cultural changes needed in our
downtown processes, our broader region and across the nation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">At its core,
Tribune is about </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">people</b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Putting people back at the center of
community.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8KmtdnZlTS56i9r4og0dGKc6KFMMM6fgd1mTZCFA7BwUOqQ4RXtMAVA5Z4exKEWIKHaQkouS9WU5zQNjrY3MpUhmyPQZ4l3ZA3GWLtvUNwEuMlHeu7uHqCva2OAkFAyVFse1_DwjHX8/s1600/Friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8KmtdnZlTS56i9r4og0dGKc6KFMMM6fgd1mTZCFA7BwUOqQ4RXtMAVA5Z4exKEWIKHaQkouS9WU5zQNjrY3MpUhmyPQZ4l3ZA3GWLtvUNwEuMlHeu7uHqCva2OAkFAyVFse1_DwjHX8/s320/Friends.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">And on this
measure, Tribune has achieved significant success without the next shovel
turned or new window installed.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">In a
mid-term evaluation report informed by over 225 engaged residents, it is
consistently described as ‘hope’ for the future.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">“A shining example of inclusion” – where some
say they felt truly welcome for the first time.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">It is described as an accelerator of new
ideas, relationships and networks.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Residents indicate greater desire to support entrepreneurial activities,
local business and increased environmental awareness as a result of their
participation in the Tribune process.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">These are baby steps, but important milestones on the path toward
economic growth.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We – every one
of us that calls this place home - can strive to preserve that which is good
about our past practice and shape a new future – one that is anchored in trust,
transparency, user-centered process and shared power. Stewardship of this place
and each other is a defining characteristic of a community that works well for
all people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Kelly</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-27240210723782311962016-03-04T12:39:00.000-08:002016-03-04T12:39:45.242-08:00Redefining Philanthropy<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m officially re-committing to this blog today. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I commit to delivering an imperfect, honest chronicle of our journey towards realizing a simple yet bold vision: <b>A Community That Works Well for All People</b>, including the commitment to embody our values: <b>Equity, Opportunity and Shared Stewardship</b>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’ll share our journey to redefine the potential of place-based philanthropy from my lens: a CEO with nearly twenty years of experience in a very special community and innovative institution. I’ve been here long enough to see resilience emerge after crisis. Residents are gaining self-confidence and a greater sense of agency; institutions are acknowledging the need for collective action and relationships built on trust and a general shift from a mindset of “I cannot” to “I can” to “We can do better”. I have deep pride in the people I’m privileged to work with, both at Incourage and in our community, for their commitment to one another and our shared future. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Incourage itself has adapted over the years. We’ve worked with great intentionality to create an organizational culture of <b>reflective action</b>: challenging embedded orthodoxies, examining our own behavior, policy, practice and power, as well as framing strategy and decisions through a values lens with a vision objective. When we assessed our investment portfolio through this lens, the choice was clear. The board moved quickly to a position of full support for what one member deemed, “the logical next step”. If we were to truly realize our commitment to place then our financial resources should be values-aligned to maximize mission impact and realize vision. This prompted deeper dialogue and reflection on the full range of resources Incourage possesses - how we assign value to them and in what ways they had been utilized to shape new economic opportunities and cultural norms. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In early 2014, the Incourage board of directors approved and subsequently led an organizational commitment to align 100% of <b>all Incourage resources</b> or capitals to mission. Driving change happens not just through financial currency, but rather through all of our capitals—moral, human, intellectual, social, reputational working together with financial. The ensuing work resulted in a <a href="https://incouragecf.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Incourage-Strategy-Map.pdf" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">strategy map</span></b></a> articulating guiding principles, capitals, key levers and desired short-, mid- and long-term outcomes toward realizing vision.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">February 16, 2016 marked the unanimous approval by Incourage’s board of a 100% mission and values-aligned <b>Capital Deployment Policy</b>—what some call an Investment Policy Statement. Twenty-four months in the making with the wise expertise of individuals willing to forge relationships outside their respective fields to work collaboratively in place: impact investment advisor, traditional investment advisor, and cultural anthropologist. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An early exemplar of our connected capitals strategy is the <a href="https://tribunebuilding.org/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Tribune</span></b></a> – a “community accelerator” designed with deep resident participation. Tribune is more than a building: it is testament to the resilience of a community. It represents hope, inclusiveness and development strategies that conserve, restore and leverage resources for generations to come. </span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b>“We did then what we knew how to do, when we knew better we did better.” </b>~Maya Angelou</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This favorite quote serves as a constant reminder. Realizing a community that works well for all people requires a commitment to not only ‘knowing better’ but also ‘doing better’. This guides our work at Incourage and it seems that it should be applicable to philanthropy writ large. When we know better we must all do better. We must practice <b>reflective action</b> in philanthropy: constantly examining our structures, business practices and cultural norms within our institutions and the broader field. Not just an episodic focus on the issue of the day or minor tweaking of practice. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Join me in this blog as we build on experience, learn, adapt and implement a place-based strategy that challenges embedded orthodoxies and redefines philanthropy to nurture communities that work well for all people. Our communities and the nation need and deserve nothing less. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kelly </span><br />
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Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-73318802396492317382015-12-11T09:17:00.002-08:002015-12-11T09:17:58.166-08:00People: our most important asset<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">People make communities. At <a href="http://www.incouragecf.org/" target="_blank">Incourage</a>, we believe human capital is our greatest asset and that positive community change happens through individuals realizing their full potential, recognizing their interdependence with one another and engaging in honest, respectful dialogue about our shared future. Individuals who are willing to reflect, learn and grow, start important conversations, and build relationships are the real change agents. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is particularly heartening to see young adults who care about this place. Young adults who are making positive change happen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Although I could give you many examples, today I will share just one that recently inspired me:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMJkKD-23X4ALxCebh4ppmAS8mPHcHWtC2dJR80KOT8-I6Ft2jsB7f6UgRiNrRL7uWdH8xV7PRByzCZLJODWUvsKezHh112Xioc6IEVRIf9fI2rSS5Abrr_LT-rLDvAQ1u1X0sF8qQ-Y/s1600/Headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMJkKD-23X4ALxCebh4ppmAS8mPHcHWtC2dJR80KOT8-I6Ft2jsB7f6UgRiNrRL7uWdH8xV7PRByzCZLJODWUvsKezHh112Xioc6IEVRIf9fI2rSS5Abrr_LT-rLDvAQ1u1X0sF8qQ-Y/s200/Headshot.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In his blog posted December 1, former resident <a href="http://www.jonathonengelien.com/blog/2015/11/18/dear-wisconsin-rapids" target="_blank"><b>Jonathon Engelien</b> penned</a> an authentic and heartfelt expression of his connection to Wisconsin Rapids. In his words, “You’re so much more than an aged paper mill town. You’re a place where real people develop lives and experiences … I want to care about you, I do care about you, and I want other people to feel the same way.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not only did Jonathon grow up here, he is also one of seven artists selected to work on permanent art installations for the renovated Tribune Building through the <a href="http://www.artplaceamerica.org/" target="_blank">ArtPlace America</a> grant Incourage received in 2014. This initial blog post officially kicked off Jonathon’s artistic process to engage the community in how it views and identifies with the south Wood County area, in positive, neutral or negative ways.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His blog struck a chord with more than 2,800 readers, prompting an online response and dialogue. This kind of open, honest communication is helping us talk about our past and future; our individual and shared experiences; and our challenges and opportunities. People care. It is that deep compassion for one another and commitment to this place that brings forth positive community change. </span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEu-6VztM5UCsGRo37pWxbkluEFsdu0qymst-z4SpRDPkib87DqssTIx9lzn_kvqofdHmv7MXK6b0A3WacnYnlG4B7lV3Wm3mzspKAnO6Z1rOit9cOK0fyZSdUU8tl4vMO3xLF2bypN8/s1600/grandavebridge_20111013-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEu-6VztM5UCsGRo37pWxbkluEFsdu0qymst-z4SpRDPkib87DqssTIx9lzn_kvqofdHmv7MXK6b0A3WacnYnlG4B7lV3Wm3mzspKAnO6Z1rOit9cOK0fyZSdUU8tl4vMO3xLF2bypN8/s320/grandavebridge_20111013-web.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Celebrating our assets, understanding our journey and working together to realize a shared vision of the future are all elements of Jonathon’s story. It is his story, though. Each of us has a story and an experience. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take a few minutes to <a href="http://www.jonathonengelien.com/blog/2015/11/18/dear-wisconsin-rapids" target="_blank"><b>read Jonathon’s blog</b></a>, read the comments and join the conversation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kelly</span>Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-35797873927315886802015-08-31T13:07:00.003-07:002015-08-31T13:07:50.116-07:00Tribune: Our Community Accelerator<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This morning, residents have once again demonstrated support, pride, and a sense of ownership and appreciation for local assets, as evidenced by the strong turnout at today’s announcement by Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch of the $472,000 grant for the Tribune from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). This important grant and the partnerships it represents accelerates our efforts and will leverage key investments from other philanthropic, private, and public resources. On behalf of Incourage’s board, staff, volunteers – and the over 800 residents involved in the Tribune to date – I extend our appreciation to the City of Wisconsin Rapids, including Mayor Vruwink, Common Council members and staff, and the State of Wisconsin/WEDC for their support and partnership.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnc6AQFdWlaZC9wxej55GZRkApwSt8MPXsW__OFzaKABf768B_dAtCRUD2l3kMSpkjdu4se2UfcLvEndM5vKUXDr8ZEpaBB49wQCjBA_kW6xInJZ-VW4GWYWIh2_Oq4-lg7xvMijEr3bM/s1600/1IMG_0262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnc6AQFdWlaZC9wxej55GZRkApwSt8MPXsW__OFzaKABf768B_dAtCRUD2l3kMSpkjdu4se2UfcLvEndM5vKUXDr8ZEpaBB49wQCjBA_kW6xInJZ-VW4GWYWIh2_Oq4-lg7xvMijEr3bM/s400/1IMG_0262.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">left to right: Jason Scott, WEDC; Naletta Burr, WEDC; Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor <br />Rebecca Kleefisch; Kelly Ryan, Incourage; and Mayor Zach Vruwink, City of Wisconsin Rapids</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The turnout this morning represents the most recent and relevant example of the growing movement underway in our community, displaying the sense of community, pride, and appreciation for local assets that were also evident during our 4th annual community picnic. On August 5, more than 5,000 members of the community came together in front of the historic Tribune building to celebrate our region and its residents by participating in a community picnic. The picnic’s remarkable attendance by residents of all ages demonstrates our commitment to and recognition of what the Tribune represents: </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our increasing sense of shared ownership, responsibility to each other and commitment to place. </b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2A03pRIQroGbwXgtw26rs0D27qckxfF92kxcpHntlG6NjPNqusE_iKXD405PuemAQ8Hcz_f8lIzovfM6xX2ltHyhq7kX53P0J_TBy_LWhBbeqFT7jNvJImyq9qwWwYVh89uTiw1pZKk/s1600/1IMG_0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2A03pRIQroGbwXgtw26rs0D27qckxfF92kxcpHntlG6NjPNqusE_iKXD405PuemAQ8Hcz_f8lIzovfM6xX2ltHyhq7kX53P0J_TBy_LWhBbeqFT7jNvJImyq9qwWwYVh89uTiw1pZKk/s400/1IMG_0066.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch <br />and Kelly Ryan, Incourage</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As many of you know, over 800 residents have invested 5,500+ hours in planning the Tribune’s physical layout and functions, as well as championing and advocating for its LEED-certified “green” environmental design. The term we use to describe this unique enterprise is “<b>community accelerator</b>.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What does that mean? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Tribune will <b>accelerate</b> economic growth, impact, and value, promoting connections among individuals and institutions. It will provide economic value in the form of training for entrepreneurs and support services to capitalize on our local food and agricultural assets. Training offered through the Tribune will incorporate Incourage’s learning from six years of investing in workforce development, accelerating best practices and lessons learned with new and emerging entrepreneurs and small businesses in our area. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Tribune will <b>accelerate</b> our understanding of environmental sustainability and its connection to future economic prosperity. Nearly $4 million of renovation investment will support the Tribune’s status as the first LEED Gold Certified building in the community. It will serve as a demonstration and learning lab for current and future generations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Tribune will <b>accelerate</b> additional development in the immediate surrounding area and south Wood County region, as demonstrated by recent real estate transactions involving downtown commercial properties on both sides of the river. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Tribune will <b>accelerate</b> learning and connections among individuals and institutions. Residents are framing our community’s future, and not just inside the building’s walls. Incourage staff continue to facilitate ongoing meetings of over 200 people engaged in Tribune interest groups – with focus areas spanning the local food system to downtown development. Incourage itself is learning and documenting our experience with the Tribune – of particular note related to today’s WEDC announcement is how to leverage complex financing and investment strategies and partnerships previously not deployed in this area, such as New Markets Tax Credits. Understanding and executing innovative approaches to successful community development is vital to our collective future. Incourage will share lessons learned with local institutions in order to accelerate best and emerging practices in community development throughout our region. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ultimately, the Tribune will <b>accelerate</b> creativity, new thinking, narrative and the ability to take risks and “fail forward” - essential attributes of a community that is open to change and new thinking in its approach to shaping a strong and inclusive local economy. We are building on a heritage of innovation, vision, commitment and perseverance in our community, and, together, we are accelerating positive community change.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kelly</span><br />
<br />Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-10572194801988179532015-05-13T12:56:00.000-07:002015-05-15T09:46:09.028-07:00Balance, transparency and equity: keys to sustainable development<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’ve been
thinking about our community’s historical and current approach to economic development in light of recent attention to downtown Wisconsin Rapids. So
much has changed in the last 20 years - yet many of the challenges remain the
same. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In June 1996,
our local newspaper printed an editorial entitled <i>Common Vision is a Key to
Progress Here</i>, in which editors expanded on a resident’s earlier call for a
community vision, common agenda and people working together. Editors commented
on the need for collaboration and common vision for downtown development:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Every
community needs dreamers and thinkers – people of vision who can see what
exists, offer suggestions for the future, and then chart a course for action.
Sometimes, those people are governmental officials. Sometimes, they’re
administrators or staff people who do planning as part of their jobs. But
regular citizens can have the gift of this sort of ‘vision,’ too.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In
explaining the success of a community development initiative by SWC2000 to
build athletic facilities, the editorial went on to share:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“…organizers
realized that individually, it would be difficult to raise the money and get
the work accomplished… But when they pooled their efforts, great things could
happen.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Further<i>,
“People knew the plan and were more likely to support it.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The structure and underpinnings of our local economy have changed since the above
referenced editorial was published 20 years ago – yet we are still today
calling for common vision and collaboration in downtown Wisconsin Rapids.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are no
longer the home to a Fortune 500 paper company, nor are we a ‘one industry or
company town’. It’s past time to adapt our thinking and our approaches.
We have to learn from our history– experiment, take risks and try new things.
Dust off the innovation that created and grew the industries that built this
area – early pioneers were innovators and had to work together to make things
happen. <a href="http://incouragecf.org/" target="_blank">Incourage</a> is committed to experimenting, taking risks, trying new
things and working together to realize our vision of a community that works
well for all people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today, the
<a href="http://www.tribunebuilding.org/" target="_blank">Tribune</a> stands as an example of a new approach <i>and</i> demonstration that
people do support known plans. Further, as the residents who’ve contributed to
the process of determining the Tribune’s future continue to demonstrate – when
people are involved in creating the plan, there is even greater support for its
implementation and sustainability. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And while the
residents’ design for the Tribune is wholly unique, what is also noteworthy is
its alignment with the City’s three Downtown Development plans (1996, 2007, and
2009).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The 2007
Downtown Revitalization Plan indicates the need for a “showcase” redevelopment
project, and highlights the Tribune and surrounding property (Market Square) as
a priority development area. The building is further described as a good
candidate for reuse as a community-oriented space. The plan also confirms a
need for downtown open space for festivals, activities and recreation, as well
as programming that provides opportunities for day trip activities for
families. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.wirapids.org/egov/documents/1255357664_732971.pdf" target="_blank">2009 Downtown Waterfront Plan</a> builds on the articulated priorities of the 2007 Plan,
focusing on enhancements to pedestrian connectivity, walkability, and visual
appeal of the downtown area. It also reaffirms the opportunity for the Tribune
property to be redeveloped as a central gathering space for the City.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess it
could be said that this catalytic, forward-thinking project is 20 years in the
making. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As
a physical entity, the Tribune represents the very best in property reuse and
redevelopment: the USDA recently recognized this with a grant award to
Incourage to share the learning from our work on adaptive reuse of existing
space with other local organizations. Rather than demolishing and building new,
or worse, leaving the space vacant and susceptible to vandalism and other
safety hazards, the Tribune is embracing the neighboring green spaces,
pedestrian and bike trails, and deploying innovative, sustainable
resident-informed programmatic uses and designs that celebrate our downtown’s
greatest natural asset – the Wisconsin River.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The instructive
question for all of us as we look at the broader downtown area, I believe, is
“How do we achieve a balanced approach to community development that is inclusive
and transparent?” Balance takes into account the perspectives and
interests of all stakeholders: private investors, public entities,
resident/user input and philanthropic support. The best outcomes are
those that achieve a collective ‘common good’ vision that balance varied
interests <i>and</i> create the conditions for all to participate and prosper. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I believe we
can achieve those types of outcomes here with transparency, inclusive
processes, relationships built on trust, principled leadership that is willing
to forge ahead to achieve a common vision, and an unwavering belief that every
person in this community matters. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We owe it to
our children and future generations to not have this blog held up 20 years from
now as an example of missed opportunity to work collectively toward a common
vision. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kelly</span></div>
Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-17273503628129268852015-03-16T08:18:00.001-07:002015-03-16T08:18:41.075-07:00Tribune. A Champion of the People.<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“When neighbors help neighbors,
and even when strangers help strangers, both those who help and those who are
helped are transformed. When that which was their problem becomes our problem,
there is a new connectedness and new forms of community are possible.” –
Ambassador James Joseph<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Residents
involved with the Tribune Building Project have demonstrated a new
connectedness by virtue of shifting from a mindset and cultural norm of “<b>they</b> will take care of it” to “<b>I </b>have a desire and
responsibility to be involved” to “<b>we</b>
have a shared purpose in this place.” <b>They</b>
to <b>Me</b> to <b>We</b>. This shift didn’t happen overnight. But Ambassador Joseph is
right. When transformation happens and people see each other with new eyes and
practice empathy, new forms of community are possible. It is happening in south
Wood County right now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the
beginning, the Tribune was about more than the building.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When
Incourage purchased the property it was with the intent that residents would
decide its future use. And the Project has continued to build upon more than a
decade of our investment in culture change, beginning with re-establishing
trust and confidence in a community that was devastated by economic crisis and
the resulting change in cultural norms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Only a year
after the Project began, our community’s narrative is beginning to change. I
sense it. You can hear it. Residents have found their voice and are energized
to connect with others and participate in meaningful ways.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipipYGExop8gLsjgn0I2Zt_KHQk_6yygOaK4Q238omrcSjYXClPOgsfJI1XvcQ5BX1tndfg_CYSPrr4Fo2F6hG6Oozp7cspLvAqMAVj2GVv20pTPd6bbKV1RXvYFL2VHZZZu1Xt2hB6R8/s1600/IMG_6519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipipYGExop8gLsjgn0I2Zt_KHQk_6yygOaK4Q238omrcSjYXClPOgsfJI1XvcQ5BX1tndfg_CYSPrr4Fo2F6hG6Oozp7cspLvAqMAVj2GVv20pTPd6bbKV1RXvYFL2VHZZZu1Xt2hB6R8/s1600/IMG_6519.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As shared by
Daily Tribune Media in a March 9 article written by Melanie Lawder
(@mel_lawder): <a href="http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/story/news/local/2015/03/08/young-adults-tribune-building-means-revitalization/24535573/"><b><i>For young adults, Tribune Building means
revitalization</i></b></a>, residents are looking at our community through a new lens.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“After being part of (a) project like this, I feel like I have
some ownership of this community,” shared Jacob Bertagnoli, Lincoln High School
social studies teacher. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Katrina Hittner, co-owner of Family Natural Foods, said it was
refreshing to see engagement involving residents across generations at the
community meetings. “You leave that room feeling invigorated,” she said. “There’s
this new energy and it’s really refreshing; everybody is excited about
something.”</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today, as we’d
hoped less than two years ago, the Tribune <b>IS</b> more than a building. It
is a champion of the people. It represents unlimited potential to shape a new
narrative. A colleague from a national foundation recently commented on our
work with the Tribune as it relates to shaping new economic activity, “Big
solutions are found in smaller pieces of work that must be done to foster
authentic, sustainable change.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take away the
building, and I’m certain the movement that has been seeded as a result would
not disappear. Because, we've all been transformed by the relationships built
through this process. And more continue to join us each day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is it
possible that the Tribune and the transformation it has had for those involved
is just the beginning? I believe so. Because I believe, as residents are
demonstrating, anything is possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Join us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kelly </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-86974868985296906192015-02-20T09:15:00.000-08:002015-02-20T09:17:47.346-08:00Trust, transparency and shared responsibility create strong communities.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Trust</b> is essential in building
community. Trust enables change, provides comfort during times of uncertainty
and is the essential glue in constructive relationships. We have been very
intentional about building trust for the past decade. Since 2005, hundreds of
residents (and institutions) of all ages have benefited from “adaptive skills”
training provided by Incourage. Said simply, adaptive skills equip people to
work together in new and different ways. Projects, partnerships and volunteer
efforts over the last decade have achieved greater impact by having residents
involved who understand the critical need to build trust, clarify assumptions
and establish shared goals and norms of behavior.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Building
trust has proven and will continue to be a sound investment in sustainable,
positive change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Transparency</b>, access to relevant information,
and clarity around intentions are key to successful community building. Incourage
stepped squarely into downtown development in Wisconsin Rapids with the
purchase of the Daily Tribune Building. We have been – and continue to be – committed
to modeling transparency, assuring access to relevant information and being
very clear about our intentions. This commitment started before we purchased
the property, when we reached out to the city to ask for partnership if we were
to make this acquisition. We continued to demonstrate transparency the day we
purchased the property. We knocked on our new neighbors doors, made
introductions, handed out information related to purchase of the building and
invited participation. We encountered many appreciative new neighbors and began
our presence in downtown by being transparent in our actions and intentions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Transparency
has been key in every Tribune meeting hosted by Incourage, beginning with the
first gathering of residents in September 2013. We established the practice of
beginning every meeting with an update and providing responses to questions or
issues that we heard surface between meetings. Our efforts to acquire a small,
adjacent parking lot were a good example of this practice. We reported timely,
transparent information about our unsuccessful efforts to acquire the parcel
and continued efforts to partner with and understand the intentions of the new
owner(s).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Shared Responsibility </b>must be cultivated for
communities to thrive. We must educate each other and future generations of
this essential concept: <i>by virtue of
being connected in place, we have a shared destiny and a responsibility to be
good stewards</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A
responsibility to steward all of the resources entrusted to our care – natural
resources, built resources and human resources – is embodied in the Native
American concept of <b>“Seventh Generation
Thinking.” </b>The Iroquois Nation describes the concept succinctly – <b><span style="color: #262626;">"In every
deliberation, we must consider the impact on the seventh generation... even if
it requires having skin as thick as the bark of a pine."</span></b><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Tribune
Building Project represents a new approach to community development – one that
builds trust, transparency and mutual responsibility. As demonstrated through
the Project, Incourage is committed to collaboration and modeling supportive
behavior by:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Being
transparent in our intentions;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sharing
accurate information in a timely manner;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inviting
courage to experiment;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Valuing
individual contributions/ideas;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Building
self-confidence and participation;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nurturing
innovation; and</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Holding each
other in trust.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Tribune
Project also demonstrates key elements of our vision at Incourage – <b>a community that works well for all people</b>.
Incourage has worked to identify what that means to us – residents fully
engaged in their community… family supporting work for all that live here… equal
access to opportunity regardless of race, sex, income or geography… a culture
built on trust, access to relevant information and shared responsibility. These
are just a few of the things we feel are essential in a community that works
well for all people. But we don’t represent the entire community. What does a
community that works well for all people look like to you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One thing I
know for sure, our full potential – as a region, a community, individual
neighborhoods, organizations and human beings – will only be realized when all
parties work together to build trust, share relevant information and support
collective responsibility by virtue of our shared community. The Tribune
Building is a good start.<o:p></o:p> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kelly</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-87462491456975183102014-12-30T10:18:00.000-08:002014-12-30T10:18:58.343-08:00Yes! We have an ‘Agenda’.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In recent weeks and with increasing frequency, I’ve heard
“You [Incourage] have an agenda.” Sometimes stated directly, sometimes
indirectly and most frequently in reference to the Tribune Building project. To
affect the magnitude of social change necessary needed in our communities, I
say, “Absolutely. Yes! We have an
‘agenda’.” And over the past decade, this ‘agenda’ has become crystal clear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Incourage’s vision is
of a community that works well for all people.</b> Not just a select few. Our
‘agenda’ is to ensure residents have access to the tools, knowledge and support
necessary to live a life with meaning and dignity. To have access to opportunity regardless of
past experiences, ideology, or ‘station in life’ in order to shape the future –
our shared future – and a new economy. This means every person has the
opportunity, ability (and responsibility) to participate, contribute solutions,
and make decisions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We do not accept ‘business as usual’. The time has changed
and a business as usual approach – one where entitlement is accepted,
operations go unexamined, and traditional gifts are distributed
paternalistically – no longer works here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many south Wood County area residents have worked hard to
find their voice, and have enjoyed sharing it with others for common good. And
each day, more residents join in the movement. Incourage is committed to
supporting this positive momentum. To continue investing in our neighbors and
this place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we close 2014, I invite you to learn more about our
accomplishments this past year. Visit IncourageCF.org to see Team Incourage and
residents in action, working together, to shape a new economy and a community
that works well for all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looking ahead to 2015, I offer you a glimpse at three items
we’re working on for the new year:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tribune Building
Project</b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> – A social enterprise, construction will commence and
entrepreneurial opportunities will be introduced to the space this year.
Incourage is committed to investing in the people who will inhabit the space as
much as the functional space needed for production of their goods and services,
thereby growing both human talent and our economy simultaneously.<br /></span></li>
<li><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Igniting Networks</b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
– Connecting individuals, businesses and organizations for community benefit is
something we’ve successfully accomplished through the Tribune Building Project
in 2014. This coming year, expect to see expanded efforts to deepen these
connections, while we work to ignite new networks. The next opportunity to
engage is January 27. Contact us to learn more and RSVP.<br /></span></li>
<li><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Operating Model</b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> –
We’ve committed to align every dollar that comes in the door to achieving the
greatest impact in our community that will advance our vision. This means changing the way we think about
investments, grantmaking and vendor choice.
It also means rethinking how we align and leverage our nonmonetary
assets. This operating model will be the
evolution of our intentional work thus far. To help us accelerate our vision,
we have the good fortune of partnering with the FB Heron Foundation
(<a href="http://fbheron.org/">fbheron.org</a>) to engage Next Street (<a href="http://nextstreet.com/">NextStreet.com</a>) in developing the new
operating model.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Incourage is a
values-based organization.</b> We value equity, inclusion and opportunity. As a
community, we shouldn’t settle for anything less than authentic conversations
about inequity. Because, every person in this place matters to us. What is
important to you? Does ‘a community that works well for all people’ resonate
with you? Join us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In 2015, live <b>Incourage</b>.
You’ll find us doing the same – as we have for the past 20 years. Wishing you
health and every happiness in this New Year! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kelly</span></span>Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-35736191067981402142014-11-26T13:54:00.001-08:002014-11-26T13:54:41.467-08:00A Movement Underway<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A core element of Incourage’s
strategy to engage residents is the gathering and sharing of reliable
information through easily accessible means. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On November 20, during an
interactive community event, we debuted our fourth issue of <i>Vital Signs. </i>Developed in partnership
with Center on Wisconsin Strategy, <i>Vital
Signs</i> includes rich data and comparative examples to support informed
discussions. This is our most robust issue yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As expressed during the <i>Vital Signs</i> event, I believe we have a
shared destiny. We are connected, by virtue of sharing the same place. And, we
need to intentionally think about each person who lives here, because every
single person matters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a community, we have a moral
imperative to help each person realize their full potential. Some of the
information presented in this issue of <i>Vital
Signs</i> bears out that fact. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During this event it became clear.
Residents’ desire to engage more deeply is growing. No longer is there a
question of receptiveness. Instead, among many, it has become a matter of ‘what
more can I learn?’. Residents are leaning forward, offering new ideas and
making commitments to continue connecting beyond the event. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Experiencing this shift was a
validation of our work – a 14-year journey to foster a participatory culture
where residents are central to the decision-making process. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A movement is underway in south
Wood County. But we know this is a long-term journey and are deeply grateful to
those engaged residents, businesses and organizations that made the <i>Vital Signs</i> event the success that it
was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know our founder, visionary
philanthropist Virginia Brazeau, would be very proud of the work being
accomplished in our community, today. As would Ruth & Hartley Barker and
Gilbert & Jaylee Mead who advanced Virginia’s vision, by also investing in
Incourage’s operations. Especially in this season of thanks, I’m grateful to
these individuals for their many gifts, including their demonstration of
courage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’d like to also thank our
neighbors and again, those who attended the <i>Vital
Signs</i> event. Our permanent commitment is to you, this place, and our shared
future. Thank you, for walking alongside us in the journey to realize a
community that works well for all people.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kelly</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-37229801708798838062014-10-21T14:51:00.002-07:002014-10-22T06:46:35.855-07:00Connecting Capitals – Incourage is ready for the next century<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This week, as I join my peers from across the world at the
Council on Foundations (COF) annual conference, we celebrate an industry
milestone. In 1914, the first community foundation was established in
Cleveland, Ohio. Now, a century later it is clear that the community foundation
field is changing as much as the people we serve and the places in which we
operate. Yet, how many community foundations, committed to change as they may
be, are truly ready for the next century?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Incourage, with more than a decade invested in shaping a new
economy, is on the path forward in a very bold way. Today, we’ve become more
than a community foundation. Engaging residents in a participatory culture,
while leveraging financial and intellectual resources from beyond our place,
we’ve become a community development organization as well. And as we hold our
neighbors in trust, they too trust that all we do is in furtherance of a
community that works well for all people. Guided by our values of equity,
inclusion and opportunity we are moving vision to action, starting from within.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3AMXgeHpKAv1xA5bSu8dUx8P-t9YYNJCG6SXtyeN6YpMC7XOPUqIAWsFMCPoWsWLOLAzjFBYeQJMq3j4Z7BO6wwte5S0fGj2MUZMGl0flzhGyLCvbXlmcRmEaaRrEBApsqMd5n4194A/s1600/connectcapitalscoverimageweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3AMXgeHpKAv1xA5bSu8dUx8P-t9YYNJCG6SXtyeN6YpMC7XOPUqIAWsFMCPoWsWLOLAzjFBYeQJMq3j4Z7BO6wwte5S0fGj2MUZMGl0flzhGyLCvbXlmcRmEaaRrEBApsqMd5n4194A/s1600/connectcapitalscoverimageweb.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Earlier this year, Incourage began taking critical but
uncharted steps to connecting each of our capitals – financial, human, intellectual
and reputational – in furtherance of a new economy and a community that works
well for all. Yesterday, our intentional and forward-facing decision to connect
capitals was validated during Ambassador James Joseph’s comments in the COF’s opening
plenary. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The foundation with the most impact in the second century
may well be those that integrate into their operating plans, into their goals
and into their strategies, the use of at least five forms of capital at their
disposal,” shared Mr. Joseph. He further expressed a need for, “an integrated
use of social, moral, intellectual, reputational and of course financial
capital.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By no means has Incourage fully realized a connected capitals
model. But we are well on our way to becoming one in 2015. As we continue this
bold but necessary evolution, we invite our peers in the community foundation
field to learn from us. Learn from our successes as well as our possible
failures. For it is in taking risks like this one, that failure sometimes
occurs. But, as F.B. Heron Foundation President Clara Miller has so eloquently
stated before, “The world has changed and so must we.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Incourage is ready for the next century. Are you?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kelly</span></span> </div>
Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-62465061243521953172014-10-02T11:49:00.002-07:002014-10-03T09:26:24.997-07:00Look What We Found…Opportunities to Own Our FutureThis Tuesday marked the 10th and final meeting of the facilitated, resident-led process for the Tribune Building Project (<a href="http://tribunebuilding.org/">TribuneBuilding.org</a>) and I couldn't have been more impressed with the open dialogue, contributions and resolve displayed by our neighbors in attendance. These behaviors, learned and modeled over the course of the project, were especially critical this evening with the many shared developments. Some of the evening’s news was extremely positive, others more challenging, but I believe that each development discussed presents an opportunity for our community.<br />
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Here are a few highlights:<br />
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<li>On September 26, the Incourage Board of Directors resolved to own the Tribune Building permanently as an affiliated entity. The Board believes strongly in the good work that has been accomplished by the residents to shape a new economy and own their future. They also recognize that the stated operation and vision of the Tribune Building furthers Incourage’s vision of a community that works well for all people.</li>
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<li>Earlier this summer, we announced our receipt of a $400,000 Creative Placemaking grant from ArtPlace America (<a href="http://artplaceamerica.org/">ArtPlaceAmerica.org</a>). During a special presentation by Lyz Crane, Deputy Director of ArtPlace America, attendees of the Tribune Building meeting learned that only 4% of applicants receive funding from ArtPlace. Lyz shared that the odds of getting into Harvard are better than to receive the prestigious funding that we did. This is a testament to our neighbors and their contributions to the process.</li>
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<li>The parking lot adjacent to the Tribune Building that Incourage had offered to purchase has been sold. On May 16 we made our offer for $65,000, which represents nearly $3,000 more than the estimated fair market value. Muppet Properties LLC purchased the parcel from NewPage Corporation for $100,000, or $37,900 more than the estimated fair market value. According to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Muppet’s registered agent is Susan Feith. This sale – to a buyer other than the Tribune Building Project – presents limitations to the plans determined by residents. Incourage has reached out to Ms. Feith, expressing our surprise, and has requested a meeting to discuss opportunities for us to work together in the best interest of our community. </li>
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<li>A special public meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at 5:30-7:30 p.m. in Centralia Center for residents to come learn more about the parking lot sale as well as tools and ways they can further engage to ensure future opportunities to own our future are not missed. Please RSVP at <a href="http://tribunebuilding.org/">TribuneBuilding.org</a>.</li>
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As I’ve said before, people are what make a place. This could not have been more clearly demonstrated than it was Tuesday night. At the close of our final planning meeting, I want to take this time to acknowledge the collective work of over 700 residents and their investment of more than 4,400 hours over ten meetings.<br />
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Together, we’ve established the Tribune Building as a Community Incubator that helps shape a new economy and community that works well for all people. This space advances:<br />
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<li>The value and importance of relationships and human potential;</li>
<li>An environment that fosters risk and accepts failure;</li>
<li>Creativity and innovation. </li>
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The news of the parking lot sale was surprising and disappointing. Yet, again, I go back to the word opportunity and say this is an opportunity to build community and shape a new future, one where the voices of many, rather than single interest or money, lead.<br />
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This is an opportunity to have an authentic dialogue and share input on future development. Incourage is not interested in accumulating multiple parcels of land or power, but we’re also not afraid to act INCOURAGE to ensure that a community benefit lens is applied to development choices that impact not only current but also future generations in this community.<br />
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Thank you to all our special guests and colleagues, and again, to our neighbors, who were in attendance Tuesday evening. It is with a burning patience that I urge all residents to stay connected and engaged. Together, we’re walking this path for our future and that of future generations. I hope to see you on <a href="http://tribunebuilding.org/" target="_blank">October 14th</a>.<br />
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KellyAbouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061131563374263210.post-52805830875687701982014-07-30T10:32:00.000-07:002014-07-30T10:32:43.915-07:00Meet your neighbor at the Community Picnic<div class="MsoNormal">
Each year, our community picnic gets bigger and better, as more and more residents come together to celebrate the many good things in south Wood County. This year, our picnic theme is, “Where one neighbor leads to another.” </div>
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You might ask, “What does that mean?” It means that our community is all about its people, the relationships we build, and the connections we make. Our neighbors make this community a great place to live and work, and we’re celebrating that.</div>
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This year, our 3rd Annual Community Picnic is Wednesday, August 6, 4:30-8 p.m. at Lake Wazeecha’s Red Sands Beach. We’re delighted with the number of residents stepping up with supplies and to volunteer. We have more than 100 people and organizations helping out. </div>
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Kids enjoying local ice cream treat at </div>
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2013 Community Picnic.</div>
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As always, you’ll experience diversity of local food, local people and local talent. Enjoy a performance of local talent in the Aqua Skiers and Shermalot water ski teams and listen to music by Galynne and Markondrums. Adults and kids can enjoy inflatables and visit with clowns.</div>
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As Incourage celebrates our 20th year, we remember our founder, Virginia Brazeau’s vision for a community foundation. Virginia firmly believed in the idea of strengthening partnerships and relationships to reach a shared vision of a thriving community. She and the Richard S. Brazeau Family Foundation understood the true value of a community foundation – unrestricted philanthropy for everyone, focused on the good of the whole, and responsive to changing needs for years to come.</div>
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I believe that Virginia would be delighted with the community’s response to this picnic. There is no better way to build relationships than to get to know new neighbors. We believe that when you get to know your neighbors through conversation, it changes the way we understand our community and helps us realize our full potential.</div>
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The picnic and festivities are free. And just as Virginia had a vision for our community, we have a vision for this picnic: We hope that in the future, this will be a community-owned picnic and becomes an event where everyone contributes their time, talents, and treasures.</div>
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So join us August 6 to enjoy local food, local people and local talent. Start a conversation with someone you don’t know. I’ll bet it leads you to a new neighbor. </div>
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See you there!</div>
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Kelly</div>
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Abouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185960327564055026noreply@blogger.com0