Comments on: Differences That Make a Difference http://communityleader.wordpress.com/2007/07/22/differences-that-make-a-difference/ Blandin Foundation Community Leadership Programs Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:40:28 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Barb Mann http://communityleader.wordpress.com/2007/07/22/differences-that-make-a-difference/#comment-28 Barb Mann Sun, 07 Oct 2007 15:10:49 +0000 http://communityleader.wordpress.com/2007/07/18/differences-that-make-a-difference/#comment-28 An issue that I observe that greatly affects change and working towards a vision, is developing a clear understanding of a "culture of poverty" in our area. The dynamics of people simply trying to "survive" vs. thrive seem big for a significant population in our area. Issues of family violence, alcohol abuse (including underage drinking), drugs affect our youth, families and ultimately community. I do see a growing sense of enthusiasm around business growth and people moving forward with new ideas and possibilities which is exciting. And I am deeply concerned with how best to understand and better work with issues around a "culture of poverty" that underlie so much of what we try to do. An issue that I observe that greatly affects change and working towards a vision, is developing a clear understanding of a “culture of poverty” in our area. The dynamics of people simply trying to “survive” vs. thrive seem big for a significant population in our area. Issues of family violence, alcohol abuse (including underage drinking), drugs affect our youth, families and ultimately community. I do see a growing sense of enthusiasm around business growth and people moving forward with new ideas and possibilities which is exciting. And I am deeply concerned with how best to understand and better work with issues around a “culture of poverty” that underlie so much of what we try to do.

]]> By: Bernice Mitchell http://communityleader.wordpress.com/2007/07/22/differences-that-make-a-difference/#comment-26 Bernice Mitchell Mon, 24 Sep 2007 18:53:58 +0000 http://communityleader.wordpress.com/2007/07/18/differences-that-make-a-difference/#comment-26 We are finding more and more of the younger generation coming into the workforce and out of high school that are unprepared for the world of workforce, the demands made if they are not prepared for day to day, 8-5 work days, the responsibilites of taking care of your own kids if you have them or your older, elder generation if you are caring for your parents, or grandparents. They are not trained to care for anyone else but themselves, they are used to being taken care of, not being care givers. We need another stage of training of our kids coming up, as in vocational or household caregiving training. We are finding more and more of the younger generation coming into the workforce and out of high school that are unprepared for the world of workforce, the demands made if they are not prepared for day to day, 8-5 work days, the responsibilites of taking care of your own kids if you have them or your older, elder generation if you are caring for your parents, or grandparents. They are not trained to care for anyone else but themselves, they are used to being taken care of, not being care givers. We need another stage of training of our kids coming up, as in vocational or household caregiving training.

]]> By: Mary Kramer http://communityleader.wordpress.com/2007/07/22/differences-that-make-a-difference/#comment-20 Mary Kramer Fri, 17 Aug 2007 14:13:50 +0000 http://communityleader.wordpress.com/2007/07/18/differences-that-make-a-difference/#comment-20 Thank you for being on the crest of the wave of change coming to our rural region! Keep up the good work! Thank you for being on the crest of the wave of change coming to our rural region! Keep up the good work!

]]> By: brian carlson http://communityleader.wordpress.com/2007/07/22/differences-that-make-a-difference/#comment-19 brian carlson Fri, 17 Aug 2007 04:13:05 +0000 http://communityleader.wordpress.com/2007/07/18/differences-that-make-a-difference/#comment-19 barriers created by years of high school competitions against each other leak into the work place when we become adults..if you move from a neighboring town that you used to compete with (even if YOU never competed...just went to the school) you are not accepted and always have the issue of "being from THAT school...like a foreigner..desentions like these have cared on from a 100 years...people just can't turn them off...maybe sports and other competitive activities should be dropped to create a more welcoming environment. barriers created by years of high school competitions against each other leak into the work place when we become adults..if you move from a neighboring town that you used to compete with (even if YOU never competed…just went to the school) you are not accepted and always have the issue of “being from THAT school…like a foreigner..desentions like these have cared on from a 100 years…people just can’t turn them off…maybe sports and other competitive activities should be dropped to create a more welcoming environment.

]]> By: John Wetrosky http://communityleader.wordpress.com/2007/07/22/differences-that-make-a-difference/#comment-18 John Wetrosky Thu, 16 Aug 2007 21:51:10 +0000 http://communityleader.wordpress.com/2007/07/18/differences-that-make-a-difference/#comment-18 There are still many sterotypes used by some of those in our community that make me uneasy. The native American people are still looked down on by some because of their massive social needs. We still are living with ideas that were generated up to two generations ago, but are gradually diluting that base. I think it will take another two generations to dilute those ideas to the point that they are basically worthless. All takes time. There are still many sterotypes used by some of those in our community that make me uneasy. The native American people are still looked down on by some because of their massive social needs. We still are living with ideas that were generated up to two generations ago, but are gradually diluting that base. I think it will take another two generations to dilute those ideas to the point that they are basically worthless. All takes time.

]]> By: Edie http://communityleader.wordpress.com/2007/07/22/differences-that-make-a-difference/#comment-17 Edie Thu, 16 Aug 2007 20:14:58 +0000 http://communityleader.wordpress.com/2007/07/18/differences-that-make-a-difference/#comment-17 In order to address complex issues, we need many different perspectives from many different people in order to see the bigger vision and be creative in finding solutions to tackle these complex problems. Getting these different perspectives is difficult sometimes and getting others to understand how important it is to get many different perspectives is sometimes a challenge also. This understanding varies significantly among people and organizations and will impede progress and workable solutions. In order to address complex issues, we need many different perspectives from many different people in order to see the bigger vision and be creative in finding solutions to tackle these complex problems. Getting these different perspectives is difficult sometimes and getting others to understand how important it is to get many different perspectives is sometimes a challenge also. This understanding varies significantly among people and organizations and will impede progress and workable solutions.

]]> By: Pam Collins http://communityleader.wordpress.com/2007/07/22/differences-that-make-a-difference/#comment-16 Pam Collins Thu, 16 Aug 2007 19:12:54 +0000 http://communityleader.wordpress.com/2007/07/18/differences-that-make-a-difference/#comment-16 I believe our town does not have much in underlying cultural differences...at least not in the truest sense. Our community has a large sector of poverty level members. We have difficulty with involving community members who are busy trying to keep themselves and their families fed and clothed. It is difficult to get them to see beyond their own troubles. About your survey..the question you posed seems to be worded strangely. I read it several times and do not know exactly what you are asking. Perhaps it is my brain, but the wording is awkward. Just a comment. Thank you for all your work in helping MN communities. Pam Collins I believe our town does not have much in underlying cultural differences…at least not in the truest sense. Our community has a large sector of poverty level members. We have difficulty with involving community members who are busy trying to keep themselves and their families fed and clothed. It is difficult to get them to see beyond their own troubles.
About your survey..the question you posed seems to be worded strangely. I read it several times and do not know exactly what you are asking. Perhaps it is my brain, but the wording is awkward. Just a comment. Thank you for all your work in helping MN communities. Pam Collins

]]> By: Larry Killien http://communityleader.wordpress.com/2007/07/22/differences-that-make-a-difference/#comment-15 Larry Killien Thu, 16 Aug 2007 16:10:36 +0000 http://communityleader.wordpress.com/2007/07/18/differences-that-make-a-difference/#comment-15 One of the biggest challenges is getting people to accept that change is going to happen. The next hurdle is getting them to consider planning for and looking at possible ways to get ready for and manage/direct the change. I am tired of "well what do you expect from (fill in the blank), that's the way it's always been". Another challenge is the old guard of community leaders being closed to new ideas, and new input; many times they are not willing to share information for fear of losing control and power; the result is no action and loss of volunteers. We've had some successes, they are small, but they will bear fruit soon and again in the future; many small steps a large journey makes. That's my thoughts for the day..... One of the biggest challenges is getting people to accept that change is going to happen. The next hurdle is getting them to consider planning for and looking at possible ways to get ready for and manage/direct the change.

I am tired of “well what do you expect from (fill in the blank), that’s the way it’s always been”.

Another challenge is the old guard of community leaders being closed to new ideas, and new input; many times they are not willing to share information for fear of losing control and power; the result is no action and loss of volunteers.

We’ve had some successes, they are small, but they will bear fruit soon and again in the future; many small steps a large journey makes.

That’s my thoughts for the day…..

]]>