Session X - Final Discussion
Please feel free to respond to at least one, or as many as all, of the questions below:
How has your perspective on working as a leader in your neighborhood changed as a result of neighborhood university? Why has it changed, and what moments or topics stick out most as you reflect on why your perspective has changed?
Think about one or two things that you felt or knew coming in to Neighborhood U, things that were affirmed as a result of your participation in the class. Why were those things affirmed? What classes or moments proved to be most affirming to these things you have long thought, knew, or understood?
As you emerge from Neighborhood University, how have you been inspired to engage in your neighborhood? Is it a new commitment to a board or organization? A new or different approach? Are you inspired to continue working in the ways you have historically worked? Why are you inspired in these ways?
I will miss Neighborhood University. It was a deliberate 2 months of intentional engagement with City and County representatives. I appreciate the intentionality that CONO demonstrated in consistently delivering a quality session for approximately eight weeks. My individual resolve has not changed, I will continue to advocate for Colorado Springs, El Paso County and the Indigo Ranch @Ridgeview community that we reside in. I look forward to partnering with future initiatives with CONO and Neighborhood Networks and being an agent of change.
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ReplyDeleteI originally joined CONO with a friend thinking this course targeted HOA's and how Board's work with their community.
The members in CONO University bring a diverse background and issues related to their associations. I enjoyed learning what went well with dealing with their HOA members as well as learning other areas that have been challenging for HOA Boards. This information was very helpful to me.
Overall, the course contained a wealth of information regarding our local and county services and officials. It was mind opening to understand how issues get on agendas and how citizens can voice concerns regarding issues impacting local neighborhoods. I enjoyed learning the shared value model and learning how to listen with empathy and answer with understanding and knowledge to handle issues within an HOA as well as our local community.
I feel taking this class has helped me think more as a leader but also a follower, as we work with other board members. Moments that stick out to me, in the many meetings we attended, is the pay disparity between the City Councilor and the County Commissioner. Perhaps this first graduating class of CONO can do something to increase the pay of Nancy Henjum, COS City Councilor. Additionally, meeting different city and county officials was very helpful. I'm glad that all the recordings will be made available to this class as we may need to go back and refresh our memories and review the information presented.
My perspective initially was a bit pessimistic but changed over time due to your and Sara's positive nature along with the entire CONO University members. I believe my perspective changed when I understood that this course was much larger than HOA Board duties but rather a holistic view of how a city of the size of Colorado Springs is managed and run by city and county officials.
Yes, I have been inspired to join a board or organization so that I can help that organization meet its vision and goals.
Old habits are hard to break. I certainly will do my homework first before engaging with a city or county official and ask for a personal appointment first in order build a relationship first before presenting a problem or issue that needs fixing.
Networking is key and this course provided that opportunity to its members.
Thank you again for all you do to make courses like this available to HOA Board Members.
Christie Sullivan, Pres. Villa Condo HOA
I signed up for this course not really understanding what it was. I had a desire to be more involved in my neighborhood and city but did not know where to start. The sessions were inspiring and challenged me to start with relationships. I am considering applying for a citizen advisory board. For now I will start with a block party.
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Mesa Springs
Since joining and completing Neighborhood University, my perspective regarding my ability to engage and lead amongst neighbors has changed immensely, in large part thanks to the extensive "toolbox" provided to us. Those resources alone were a huge confidence booster and helped to answer so many of the questions I arrived with. The strategies outlined throughout the program for outreach and advocacy were exactly what I was looking for. I especially appreciated Sam Friedmans presentation. He is a self professes excellent resource who provided so much clarity on a ton of subject matter relative to civic engagement and local government. Anthony's lecture on the "Art of Advocacy" and building relationships helped me to come to terms with how to best reach out and relate with my neighbors. Building consensus was/is my primary goal in all of this and I've come away with no shortage of strategies!
ReplyDeletePrior to NU, I know/knew how to effectively communicate with elected officials, I've just been to overwhelmed at the prospect and lacked the confidence to do so. The strategies provided seemed common sense, I've realized now it all comes down sticking my neck out and going for it. Knowing WHAT department or WHO to reach out to has made the prospect of doing so much less daunting.
I found myself inspired to communicate and organize in a neighborhood with no association or organization. I am looking forward to continuing to work towards the creation of a neighborhood association and creating consensus around issues that are important to my neighbors. Knowing that I have all these tools in my back pocket now inspires me to overcome my hesitancies and move towards making that first neighborhood block party happen! Thanks for everything CONO, this has been an unforgettable experience!
Courtney Benson
Midland/Bott Park
CONO I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the processes for City and County Planning,
ReplyDeleteand how I can best represent my neighborhood and be a valued and influential member of our community. It was a very informative program and I appreciate the thoughts of my fellow students and how the tools we were given can help us in making Colorado Springs a great place to live.
Bill Hoover
I would like to commend my Neighborhood U colleagues for their participation and candor regarding the state of our community involvement and engagement. I found the discussions to honest and open to all participants' input. Anthony did a superb job keeping everyone engaged and motivated to ask questions and to provide feeback.
ReplyDeleteI would and will recommend Neighborhood U to others.
Wow, this was so much in such a short time and I wish we had a NU 2.0 I'd love to stay in touch or have a monthly coffee/drink time to discuss and encourage one another. To focus on the how to build consensus, shared values, what is working, what isn't (so not the particular issue). Or, a facebook page or something! I look forward to contributing to my community. I still want to meet each neighbor on my block (I was in California for 5 weeks), host a block gathering and learn what is important to them. I admit I am still a bit confused about the role of the Neighborhood groups with the Council and with all the groups that already exist. I do see a need to find shared values and build consensus, but how do we even find one another? I went to a local activity at the Westside Community Center as a volunteer. The Save the Center group was there and I asked them for some updates, etc. They asked my interest and I mentioned that first, I live blocks away and see so much opportunity for the building, but didn't understand why it doesn't have city funding like our other centers. Then, I mentioned, enthusiaticallly, that I had just attended Neighborhood U and am looking for the areas where I want to put my time and effort. I was shocked by the things said about NU and CONO! It was quite eye opening that this is a big hurdle to jump over to even begin working together. It was quite intimidating and a big bummer! I do feel like it gave me a chance to apply the things I learned. I listened and focused on the cause and what they were sharing. I heard their frustration and i do feel like, in the end, I wasn't seen as an evil agent, but someone wanting to learn and work alongside folks. Thank you for this. I am so thrilled our city and county are supportive in something I see as pretty progressive. The goal now, to focus on the areas I have interest in and be involved. And to stay abreast of all the other issues!
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OCC
The first meeting at the Pioneer Museum was excellent and a great start. Would have appreciated list of classmates at that point. As a long time resident living at Colorado College, ONEN, and now Bonnyville likely more familiar with many aspects not obvious to shorter term residents, which, BTW, is a characteristic of CS, often cited as being one of the more transient cities in the US due to numbers of military and affiliated industries. Most appreciated hearing from folks from other neighborhoods. Imagine that value of individual classes varied depending on variety of experiences of class. For myself, thought Morgan and Hannah did an excellent job on Planning and their processes. Also the excellent overview of the various City Departments and staffing and budgets was greatly appreciated. In that vein, would have been interested in what other class members consider to be issues of concern for the future. Appreciate supportive atmosphere which clearly encourage most to speak up. Didn't ask but certainly hope that all of us are registered to vote as data from our last April election shows a depressing number of participants. In case no one noticed the number of candidates for mayor seems to be growing almost as fast as the number of fast food chain restaurants! Hope to meet working on efforts to preserve our historic character and our waterways. Will take this opportunity to HIGHLY recommend book of UCCS Prof, John Harner (Mid Shooks Run Neighborhood), PROFITING FROM THE PEAK LANDSCAPE AND LIBERTY IN COLORADO SPRINGS to learn more about how our community was founded and grew. Thanks to all. Judith Rice-Jones, Bonnyville/Bon Park Neighbors
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