Rocky Mountain Health Plans’ Post

Warrior to Love: Show-Up I recently had an inspiring meeting with Councilman Michael Boylan from Jacksonville City Council District 6. It reminded me of the power of community engagement and the importance of taking action to drive change. Years ago, I considered a political career, but my wife and I decided it wasn't the right path for us. Instead, I focused on connecting with our local representatives, believing that true change starts with us. During our conversation, we discussed the book "A Quiet Revolution," which explores the history of Jacksonville's consolidation. Jacksonville Historical Society Both Councilman Boylan and I share a passion for history and a vision for progress in our city. We reflected on the challenges and the numerous failed attempts to unite and advance Jacksonville over the years. One of the biggest questions remains: how do you unite a community divided in the largest city by land mass in the USA? While I am still working on the answer, I know that getting involved and building relationships is a significant step forward. As a private citizen, I've had the privilege of connecting with some of the best professionals and actively participating in our community. My passion lies in solving problems and fostering resilience in relationships. Nothing happens unless you make it happen. It takes everyone to participate in creating and sustaining livable communities. Everything starts with you! Let's take action, show up, and work together to make City of Jacksonville the best place to live on earth. #CommunityEngagement #LocalLeadership #Jacksonville #WarriorToLove #ShowUp #Inspiration #TakeAction

The MWEJN’s work is grounded in the Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing. Emerging from grassroots organizing in 1996, the Principles prioritize inclusivity, bottom-up organizing, letting people speak for themselves, working together in solidarity and mutuality, building just relationships, and self-transformation Together, these principles outline how we can operate in ways that are grounded in core values and drive lasting community change.

“You’ve got a person with an idea, and a person bringing people together: combining these two is the key to creating successful communities.” Today, Lenz talks about the often overlooked role played by Community Builders - those that bring people and ideas together to foster thriving, impactful communities. He explains how the community fabric is made up of threads, and how the more they’re interwoven, the stronger the fabric is, and the stronger the fabric, the more can grow out of it. And the weaver at the heart of it all? That’s the community builder! Check it out! #CommunityBuilding #LeadershipDevelopment

What can we do about Columbus’ housing shortage, have a look at the latest article my colleagues Brandon Carrus , Duwain Pinder, Ben Safran, Brian Parro and Seth Myers wrote

Motivational Monday 💯 Transform Mid-Atlantic, formerly known as Campus Compact Mid-Atlantic, mobilizes and builds the institutional capacity of our member campuses and their community partners to develop global citizens who work to create just, equitable and sustainable institutions and communities. Through leveraging our talents as a network, we build the institutional capacity of our member campuses and their partners to achieve their civic missions. Additionally, we build campus-community partnerships to improve community life. We achieve this through utilizing the following local, regional, and national strategies https://lnkd.in/eaiHbrNP

small business loans application is now open

Reflecting on my Flight Home from Kansas City: Key Insights on Facilitating Community Engagement in Unfamiliar Cities As a Community Engagement practitioner, I've learned some invaluable lessons during my visit to Kansas City. Here are three crucial points I want to share: 1. **Embrace Local Culture and History:** Understanding the unique cultural and historical context of a city is crucial. It's not just about adapting your strategies; it's about respecting and integrating local values and traditions into your approach. This fosters trust and shows your genuine interest in the community. 2. **Leverage Local Networks and Leaders:** Collaboration is key. Identify and connect with local leaders and organizations. They have the grassroots knowledge and influence that can amplify your efforts. Building these partnerships not only enhances your impact but also ensures sustainability. 3. **Prioritize Listening Over Speaking:** The most powerful tool in community engagement is listening. Enter new communities with a learning mindset. Understand their needs, concerns, and aspirations. This approach not only enriches your understanding but also builds a foundation of mutual respect and collaboration. Why is this important? Engaging with communities, especially in unfamiliar settings, is more than a project—it's a commitment to fostering inclusive and empowered societies. These insights from Kansas City have reinforced my belief that effective community engagement can bridge gaps, inspire change, and create lasting impacts. #CommunityEngagement #LocalCulture #Collaboration #Listening #Inclusivity #Empowerment #KansasCityInsights ---

I have already heard awesome feedback from folks about this resource! I think there are a lot of good principles for guiding #KnowledgeMobilization practices and activities. Check it out!

Society is awash in theories of change. But they’re called theories for a reason. They may sound nice on paper, but they are often disconnected from people’s lived experiences and on-the-ground realities. I’m interested in practical change that is connected to what really matters to people and what it takes to create lasting change. Everywhere I go, people ask me, “How can we move forward amid our real divides and in the face of pressing challenges?” If we’re interested in creating real change, then we need to focus intently on building momentum. In my latest piece for TheFulcrum.US, I use my recent trip to two Colorado communities (Fort Collins and Loveland) to illustrate what I think we need to focus on to get our communities unstuck today. https://lnkd.in/gy_gnq8J