Leadership for Sustainable Communities Initiative
Program Overview
Purpose
To support leadership development and project implementation in areas near Freeport operations as a strategy to build sustainable community capacity.
Process
A cohort of area leaders, representing multiple perspectives and sectors, will participate in a yearlong web-based leadership development program aligned to support the design and implementation of positive community action around an identified Outcome (potentially leading to a community-wide project). The subject area of the action will be selected by the area CPP and will fall within already determined priority areas. The ASU Lodestar Center will facilitate the training sessions. The cohort will be coordinated by a designated local leader, who will receive a small stipend.
Participation in the leadership cohort is limited to select individuals who have the time and potential to fully participate, represent a cross section of interests in the community and have knowledge or an interest in the Outcome selected. Participants can volunteer and/or be invited to participate and the cohort will be selected through a formal application process.
Once selected, participants meet regularly and participate in training on leadership and development issues delivered in person, via webinars or other mechanism over a year. The training will mirror the process needed to address the issue and provide a framework for forming and implementing strategies.
Potential training topics include:
Overview of process
Leadership
Group Process
Asset Based Community Development
Best Practices
Appreciative Inquiry
Strategy and Work Plan Development
Resource Development
Human resources - volunteers and conflict
In support of this project, the ASU Lodestar Center will:
- Facilitate the selection of an issue area.
- Provide coaching and support to the designated leaders through monthly meetings and individual contact.
- Develop and deliver the training content to the leadership cohort via webinars.
Leadership for Sustainable Communities Initiative
Sustainable Communities
A sustainable community is one which works to ensure a healthy present and future for all parts of the whole: the people, the economy and the environment. This proactive approach to operations and planning includes a process of decision-making and activity which integrates the perspective of all stakeholders in the community. Each decision or action, whether it be an annual budget, special event or street project is examined for its effect on the entire community both now and in the future. The desired end result and steps to get there will be different for each community, but some themes are universal even when communities seem diverse.
Why take a sustainable approach? Greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness over the long term, as well as improved quality of life have been shown to be the result. Not only will current needs be addressed and problems solved, but the community will be able to withstand challenges and adversity it may face in the future. Creative and collaborative planning and problem-solving by effective leaders, informed citizens, healthy institutions and successful businesses produces a shared vision of what the community is today and what its members want it to become.
Who are the collaborators in a sustainable approach? Often, government officials make key decisions about the basic structure of their community, leading day-to-day operations and future planning for streets, water, sewer, taxes, housing, commercial land use, recreation and public safety. However, everyone who lives, works or does business in that community is affected by these choices – whether they have the opportunity to be involved or not. In a sustainable approach, all stakeholders participate in decisions about all aspects of their community.
How will results of sustainability efforts be measured? Progress is measured by improvements in certain indicators that show change – in both the raw numbers and the satisfaction levels of the community. Each community sets its own indicators and another factor in a sustainable approach is that it is flexible - measuring results, and when needed, allowing the collaborators to make changes in strategy along the way.
Creating Positive Impact for Sustainability
No single organization or government department can solve the complex challenges faced by communities across the country. Instead, diverse interests from the private sector, government, nonprofits, civic organizations, and individuals must come together around a common agenda and align their efforts to create positive impact. This includes a shared understanding of the issues, gathering information and data and tracking progress, implementing mutually reinforcing activities, continuous communication and both collective and individual leadership.