Tribune. A Champion of the People.

“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

Residents involved with the Tribune Building Project have demonstrated a new connectedness by virtue of shifting from a mindset and cultural norm of “they will take care of it” to “I have a desire and responsibility to be involved” to “we have a shared purpose in this place.” They to Me to We. 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.

From the beginning, the Tribune was about more than the building.

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.

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.

As shared by Daily Tribune Media in a March 9 article written by Melanie Lawder (@mel_lawder): For young adults, Tribune Building means revitalization, residents are looking at our community through a new lens.

“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.

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.”

Today, as we’d hoped less than two years ago, the Tribune IS 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.” 

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.

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.

Join us.

Kelly 

Trust, transparency and shared responsibility create strong communities.

Trust 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.

Building trust has proven and will continue to be a sound investment in sustainable, positive change.

Transparency, 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.

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).

Shared Responsibility must be cultivated for communities to thrive. We must educate each other and future generations of this essential concept: by virtue of being connected in place, we have a shared destiny and a responsibility to be good stewards.

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 “Seventh Generation Thinking.” The Iroquois Nation describes the concept succinctly – "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."

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:

• Being transparent in our intentions;
• Sharing accurate information in a timely manner;
• Inviting courage to experiment;
• Valuing individual contributions/ideas;
• Building self-confidence and participation;
• Nurturing innovation; and
• Holding each other in trust.

The Tribune Project also demonstrates key elements of our vision at Incourage – a community that works well for all people. 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?

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. 

Kelly

Yes! We have an ‘Agenda’.

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.

Incourage’s vision is of a community that works well for all people. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Looking ahead to 2015, I offer you a glimpse at three items we’re working on for the new year:

• Tribune Building Project – 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.
  
• Igniting Networks – 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.
  
• Operating Model – 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 (fbheron.org) to engage Next Street (NextStreet.com) in developing the new operating model.

Incourage is a values-based organization. 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.

In 2015, live Incourage. 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!

Kelly