Keys to Civility
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
People
Dedicated to the celebration of communities of people making great strides in the area of comprehensive community improvement.
Defining “Community”
Community from the Latin: com – (together) unios – (one) itatis – (state or condition of being)
Community is: A condition of being one together.
True community improvement requires a diverse group of community citizens to be involved. We believe there are armies of people willing to play a part in making their communities better places to live. We will not succeed if we continue to just create programs for "those people" in obvious need. We will help "those people" the most if we create opportunities for everyone. If our efforts are not good enough for everyone they are not good enough for anyone. People sense and know how others view them. All people within the community deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. All people need to be seen as a resource and agent of change.
The communities listed here are all actively participating in community improvement efforts. Each is unique to the resources and assets of the community. The demographics of the area and length of involvement in community improvement efforts varies but there are key common elements: there is a plan; there is communication; there is trust; and there is a belief in the value of each person’s gifts.
Columbus, Indiana
www.columbus.in.gov
www.educationcoalition.com
Columbus has had a long history in working for the common good and improvement of the community. Over the last few decades there has been an increased belief in the concept of collaboration. The business sector and a few dedicated individuals have led the charge for community transformation. The efforts have resulted in an innovative way of doing business within the community. Their expectations are limited only by their imagination. For the most part they do not create new entities but leverage through collaboration with existing efforts. They form action teams and disband them depending on the desired outcomes and issues addressed.
North Eastern Mississippi - Tupelo
The city of Tupelo receives recognition in the area of community development but it really is a region of 16 counties. This “regional thinking” is not taken for granted. There is significant effort to make sure everybody understands the relationship and importance of both Tupelo and the surrounding counties being successful. The CREATE Foundation is the key to the ongoing development of the community improvement process. This effort was started over 40 years ago and continues to be vital today.
St. Joseph County, Michigan
Known as the collaboration county of Michigan they have over a 15 year history in working together. They have received national, state and regional recognition for their efforts. One of their individual communities, Sturgis has also received a number of honors in the field of community building. They have developed nine community councils from their nine identified communities. They have streamlined their social service system to meet the needs of the nine communities. These efforts also factor in to their economic development plans and local government processes.
Oakland County, Michigan
Next section: Keys to Civility > Dialogue