Leadership Toolbox: Healthy Community

Characteristic Clues to Healthy Community

While this issue focuses on the challenges rural communities face in an uncertain economy, we also must remember to celebrate the successes of our rural communities. The Heartland Center for Leadership Development has compiled a list of characteristics shared by healthy communities.

Following are five of the 20 key characteristics identified by the Heartland Center as being part of healthy community.

1 – Active Economic Development Program:
There is an organized, public/private approach to economic development.

2 – Celebration of Diversity in Leadership:
Women, minorities, youth and newcomers are welcomed into leadership circles where their ideas are treated as opportunities.

3 – Strong Belief in and Support for Education:
Good schools are the norm and centers of community activity.

4 -­ Strong Multi-Generational Family Orientation:
The definition of family is broad, and activities include younger as well as older generations.

5 -­ Sound and Well Maintained Infrastructure:
Leaders work hard to maintain and improve streets, sidewalks, water systems and sewage systems.

The complete listing of 20 Clues to Rural Community Survival can be found at the Heartland Center for Leadership Development web site: www.heartlandcenter.info/clues.htm

Copyright Heartland Center for Leadership Development. Reprinted with permission.