Stories Need to be shared The life of an organization such as Wallingford Public Access Association (WPAA), intersects with and touches lives in unpredictable ways. Often, outcomes are not readily quantified for donors, but when they are shared with them in a story, the outcomes and results may be clarified, and perhaps stir us to … Continue reading Be the community story
better, but …
We can be better but ‘Great Again’; them is slanderous words. When were our doors open so often, our schedule of programs so diverse, our rooms so filled with civic and creative use? Never. Our performance on nearly every possible ranking continues to trend upward sometimes doubling prior periods. Tell me exactly what is the … Continue reading better, but …
Trolls
Will things get better or worse or is incivility status quo? Public discourse, Rich Hanley, Quinnipiac University associate journalism professor said, is “a huge chunk of civic society” but online discourse often devolves into “a cycle of rage people get caught up in.” The rage, foul language and lack of empathy is nothing new, … and was clear … Continue reading Trolls
My Town, sorta
I live in a rather conservative suburban community. Calling it my town does not land well on my ears. I prefer to be from Greater New Haven. It does NOT have the ‘walk for blocks and inhale humanity feel’ of communities like Portland or Providence, Boston or St. Louis. What it does have is hiking … Continue reading My Town, sorta
I choose daily
He is 22. His prospects for employment elsewhere are diminished by his capacity to focus. He tells me “I choose to work here in User Support because it makes-a-difference.” He will gladly chatter about how the shows he schedules to play as TV are important to watch until he is reminded: Yes, it is time to schedule … Continue reading I choose daily
We adapt to be relevant, but …
Seizing Opportunities It has been said that “we flex” for whatever, or whomever, walks in the door. In so many ways this is true and vital to our ability to serve. Essential to the success of our adaptive process is curiosity, impulse control, the ability to create space between thinking and re(action) and the checking … Continue reading We adapt to be relevant, but …
Building muscles with story circles (or, overcoming lazy brain bias)
Collaboration – getting people to share information and co-create solutions is critical to a healthy community’s success. However, it is not always easy to achieve. Our biases impact how we form first impressions, decide who to work with, whose ideas we listen to, determine who we provide opportunities to, and more. Bias can cause us … Continue reading Building muscles with story circles (or, overcoming lazy brain bias)
Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.
I want to introduce myself because I have been anonymous as a public person for decades and most of my days are currently the embodiment of Freeman P Quinn, 1st – Free Speech Ambassador and outreach personae for WPAA-TV. These past few days I have been pre-occupied with winning. I really hope that WPAA-TV wins … Continue reading Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.
Beyond Anonymous in a Storied Place
Community memory is created in the exchange of story. Sharing. Listening, Asking Questions. Exploring a common bond. My 1st community still overshadows my current community with memories more fragile with each passing year. Through poem I explore dissonance, lack of connection and my barriers to having ‘Here‘ feel more like home. My roots: Windsor, CT … Continue reading Beyond Anonymous in a Storied Place
CommUnity #W06492
Community grows from knowing we are alive not for ourselves but for one another. The fruit of such knowing is a capacity to make the interests of others more important than one’s own. The CommUnity Conversations initiative was built on this idea.Thanks to the informing Contributors: Chris Porter of Porter Financial Strategies with JP Venoit CEO … Continue reading CommUnity #W06492