Orton Family Foundation CommunityMatters

Increasingly, philanthropic organizations are thinking more broadly about how to support systemic change in local communities. On this call, you’ll hear how three foundations are investing in long-term transformation using Community Heart & Soul®, the Orton Family Foundation’s community development model.

Speakers:

–Brad Ward, director of community philanthropy, Council on Foundations

At the Council, Brad interacts with hundreds of community foundations across the U.S. and with colleagues in North America. His specialty is engaging a variety of constituents in community philanthropy and navigating an innovative new era of community leadership and philanthropic engagement for the field.

–Gabrielle Ratté Smith, senior associate for strategic partnerships, Orton Family Foundation

Gabrielle was a founding member of Community Heart & Soul in Essex, Vermont. In her role at Orton, she helps funders design programs that use the Heart & Soul model to bring about positive change in small cities and towns.

-- Kathy Kreuchauf, president, Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation

Under Kathy’s leadership, The Community Foundation launched successful initiatives to strengthen the local non-profit community’s board and staff leadership, as well as a unique partnership with the Orton Family Foundation to support the on-going economic and social viability of small towns in western Ohio.

-–Nancy Van Milligen, president and CEO, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque

Nancy has helped to grow the Foundation’s charitable funds to more than $55 million and established it as a trailblazer in community leadership and engagement initiatives. Nancy is a past president of the Iowa Council on Foundations. The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque is working with communities in western Iowa using the Community Heart & Soul model.

-–Susan DeVenny, executive director, J. Marion Sims Foundation

At the helm of J. Marion Sims since 2015, Susan brings over 30 years of experience in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, most recently serving as the state director for SC First Steps to School Readiness, South Carolina’s early childhood agency. The Foundation is working with Orton as part of Sims’ ongoing commitment to lift up and empower community voices to support a healthy community.

-–Fran Stoddard, moderator

A national award-winning producer of video programs, Fran produced and hosted a popular interview program on Vermont Public Television for more than a decade. She frequently serves as moderator for community events and has served on numerous non-profit boards.

This FREE event was recorded at 1-2 p.m. Eastern, Thursday, Nov. 30.

Presented in partnership with the Council on Foundations.

Follow along with our Google Doc here: http://bit.ly/2ySs6XV.

For National Community Planning month, we focus on creating successful comprehensive plans that residents feel a sense of ownership about and have a stake in the outcomes. On this call, you’ll hear from three planners who got residents involved through the Community Heart & Soul model. Learn how community engagement leads to meaningful comprehensive plans that align vision and actions based on what matters most to residents.

Speakers:
--Jane Lafleur, Heart & Soul coach and principal, JB Lafleur Consultants
Jane provides community development, planning, citizen engagement and civic leadership training and educational programs throughout Maine and the U.S. Jane received the Professional Planner of the Year award from the Maine Association of Planners and the Northern New England Chapter of the American Planning Association in 2015.
--K. Dana Hanley, community development director, Essex, Vermont.
Dana played a key role in the development of the Essex comprehensive plan, which received Plan of the Year Award in 2016 from the Vermont Planners Association and Northern New England Chapter of the American Planning Association.
--Angela San Filippo, long-range planner, Ellensburg, Washington
Angela is spearheading Imagine Ellensburg, a comprehensive plan update using the Community Heart & Soul model. Ellensburg is in the process of evaluating options and reviewing recommendations for the plan, with a goal to have it adopted by the end of this year.
--Fran Stoddard, moderator
A national award-winning producer of video programs, Fran produced and hosted Vermont Public Television’s weekly “Profile” interview program for more than a decade. She frequently serves as moderator for community events and has served on numerous non-profit boards.

This FREE event was recorded on 2-3 p.m. Eastern, Thursday, October 19, 2017.

Follow along with our Google Doc: http://bit.ly/2w7hsvD.

Heart & Soul Talks features stories and insight from Community Heart & Soul®, a community development model that builds stronger, healthier and more economically vibrant small cities and towns. Learn more at orton.org.

Taking on controversial issues is a challenge that every community faces. How those issues are approached can make the difference between a community that thrives and one where divides erode a community’s vitality.

Join us for insight and practical ideas and tools for advancing civil discourse from nationally-recognized expert in the field, Carolyn J. Lukensmeyer, Ph. D. and Mayor Thom Harnett of Gardiner, Maine, who has led his way in welcoming new residents and embracing the value they bring to the small town, sometimes in the face of protest.

Speakers:
--Dr. Carolyn J. Lukensmeyer, executive director, National Institute for Civil Discourse
As a leader in the field of deliberative democracy, Dr. Lukensmeyer works to restore our democracy to reflect the intended vision of our founding fathers. She previously served as Founder and President of AmericaSpeaks, an award-winning nonprofit organization that promoted nonpartisan initiatives to engage citizens and leaders through the development of innovative public policy tools and strategies.
--Thom Harnett, mayor, Gardiner, Maine.
Thom, now serving his third term as mayor of Gardiner, Maine, recently retired from the state Office of the Attorney General where he had served as an assistant attorney general, and established Civil Rights Teams in more than 220 schools statewide. Thom was active in Gardiner’s Community Heart & Soul® project.
--Fran Stoddard, moderator
A national award-winning producer of video programs, Fran produced and hosted Vermont Public Television’s weekly “Profile” interview program for more than a decade. She frequently serves as moderator for community events and has served on numerous non-profit boards.

This FREE event was recorded on Thursday, September 28, 2017.

Heart & Soul Talks features stories and insight from Community Heart & Soul®, a community development model that builds stronger, healthier, and more economically vibrant small cities and towns. Learn more at orton.org.

Getting young people involved in community leadership brings fresh perspectives and new energy. Small cities and towns across the country are giving meaningful roles to youth and helping young people realize their voices matter. On this free talk, you’ll hear from youth advocates and a youth leader how to authentically involve the next generation in local decision-making.

Speakers:
--Laura Furr, program manager for justice reform and youth engagement, National League of Cities (NLC)
Laura helps municipal leaders take action on behalf of children, youth, and families in their communities. She assists cities in establishing authentic systems for youth engagement through initiatives such as youth councils, juvenile justice reform, and participatory budgeting. Prior to joining NLC, Laura was the Interim Executive Director and Senior Director of Youth Justice Initiatives at Community Law In Action, Inc., a non-profit that engages youth as active citizens, critical thinkers, and advocates for positive change in Maryland.
--Lee Krohn, senior planner, Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission
Prior to joining that Commission, Lee served as Planning Director, among other roles, for the Town of Manchester for over 24 years. His work to engage youth was named the 2009 Project of the Year from the Vermont Planners Association. Lee serves on the Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Council and as Northern New England Chapter of the American Planning Association (NNECAPA) Assistant Professional Development Officer for Vermont, is a past President of the Vermont Planners Association. He was a founding member and longtime Chair of the Manchester Community Land Trust. His current work involves land use and emergency management planning, as well as direct assistance to municipalities. Lee is a firefighter, an award-winning professional photographer, skier, biker and runner.
--Fran Stoddard, moderator
A national award-winning producer of video programs, Fran produced and hosted Vermont Public Television’s weekly “Profile” interview program for more than a decade. She frequently serves as moderator for community events and has served on numerous non-profit boards.

Follow along with our Google Doc: http://bit.ly/2uNFucD.

Small towns rely on volunteers for prosperity, but it can be a challenge to sustain volunteer energy and enthusiasm. With a resident-driven approach, Heart & Soul® towns rally community members to increase civic participation and create positive change. Listen in for ideas to keep volunteers motivated and engaged for the long run.

Speakers:
--Sara Lightner, senior associate of programs, training, Orton Family Foundation
Before joining Orton, Sara spent 13 years volunteering and working with volunteers in the Peace Corps. She was director of programming and training for the Eastern Caribbean and for Vanuatu in the South Pacific. Sara directed volunteer and partner trainings and programming opportunities, ensuring that volunteers received the support needed to be successful.
--Debbie Moreno, project coordinator, Galesburg on Track
Debbie is a journalist, a poet, a parent, and an active volunteer--skills and experience that have transferred to her role as project coordinator of Galesburg on Track, a Community Heart & Soul® project in Galesburg, Illinois. Debbie is devoted to effective communication with residents and has built a strong and dedicated group of volunteers that represent the broad range of perspectives.
--Fran Stoddard, moderator
A national award-winning producer of video programs, Fran produced and hosted Vermont Public Television’s weekly “Profile” interview program for more than a decade. She frequently serves as moderator for community events and has served on numerous non-profit boards.

Follow along with our Google Doc: http://bit.ly/2vcs6MD.

No matter where you live, there is something to love about the place you call home. Yet, the common narrative about small towns focuses on what is wrong or what needs to be fixed—vacant storefronts, political differences, young people moving away. Hear how three Heart & Soul® towns are renewing community spirit by drawing on their unique history and heritage and, in turn, sparking revitalization.
Speakers:
--Delilah Poupore, executive director, Heart of Biddeford in Biddeford, Maine
A former textile mill town, Biddeford struggled with stagnant population growth and limited job opportunities. Biddeford’s renaissance began when residents used the Community Heart & Soul® model to create a forward-looking plan that took stock of the town’s unique history and what mattered most to everyone. As the executive director of the Heart of Biddeford, Delilah has played a pivotal role both in implementing the Downtown Master Plan and maintaining momentum beyond the plan’s completion.
--Alice Trowbridge, project coordinator, Heart of Williamsport in Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Downtown Williamsport is booming—attracting a younger population along with nightlife and art galleries. However, the city’s outlying neighborhoods are still struggling economically. Alice heads up the Heart of Williamsport project, which is collecting stories from all neighborhoods to bridge divides and provide opportunities for every resident.
--Janeane Hopkins, Heart & Soul team member, McComb Region Heart & Soul in McComb, Ohio
Not long ago, McComb had a vibrant downtown with thriving local businesses. When the town’s anchor retail store closed, it left a hole on Main Street and in the local economy. By drawing on memories of the past while looking toward the future, Community Heart & Soul is renewing a sense of hope. Today, residents are investing in existing businesses and starting new ones, contributing to a new chapter for McComb.

Follow along with our Google Doc: http://bit.ly/2q7R54H.