University of the Arts Singapore’s Post

My cup is running over! I had to get back to the basics of being present in my community through the way of our public schools. I am a proud 2024-2025 District Advisory Council member for Polk County Schools. Many applied but only a selected group was chosen. I am grateful. Being involved in the community public education boards offers many benefits. Some of them are the following: * Influence on Education Policy: members can shape educational policies and practices, ensuring that they meet the needs of local students and families. *Community Engagement: participation fosters stronger connections between schools and the community, promoting collaboration and support for educational initiatives. *Advocacy for Resources: board members can advocate for necessary resources, funding, and programs that benefit the students and educators. *Diverse Perspectives: involvement allows for a variety of viewpoints to be heard, helping to create well-rounded decisions that reflect the community's values and needs. *Professional Development: board service can enhance leadership skills, strategic thinking, and public speaking abilities, which are value in both personal and professional contexts. *Empowerment: being part of the decision- making process empowers individuals to make a positive impact on the future of education in their community. *Network Opportunities: engaging with other board members and community leaders can lead to valuable connections and partnerships. *Informed Citizenship: participation helps individuals understand the complexities of education systems, making them more informed citizens and advocates for children's education.

📢 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺! On June 20th, our Vernon team had the honor of participating in Community Living BC’s Community Inclusion Services Review Project. This initiative is dedicated to enhancing community inclusion services and day programs for adults with diverse abilities. The purpose of this event was to bring together community members to share their experiences and insights. We were thrilled to see a diverse group of individuals, families, advocates, and service providers contributing to these important conversations. Key Objectives of the Project: 🔹 Invite individuals, families, advocates, and service providers to share their experiences. 🔹 Identify best practices for current and future services. 🔹 Discuss what is working well and areas for improvement in community inclusion services. From September 2023 to August 2024, the project will gather valuable information through: 1. Visits to communities across all regions of BC. 2. Conversations and discussions with individuals, families, service providers, community leaders, and Elders about current and future services. 3. A review of best practices in BC and other provinces and countries. 4. A comprehensive report detailing what people shared and ideas for improving community inclusion services in BC. This initiative is a critical step towards ensuring that adults with diverse abilities receive the support and opportunities they deserve. We're excited to be part of this journey and look forward to the positive changes it will bring. A big thank you to everyone who participated and shared their insights. Let’s continue working together to create a more inclusive community for all! 🌍💙 📷 Left: Shelby Schimpf Pivot Point BC Practicum Center: Chris Felgendreher LIFE services Coach - Pivot Point, Vernon, BC Right: Shannon Moorhead, Pivot Point Regional Manager for the Thompson Region, including Kamloops, Barriere, Salmon Arm & Merritt #CommunityInclusion #DiverseAbilities #CLBC #VernonTeam #BestPractices #InclusiveCommunity #SocialImpact

The World Affairs Council of Miami is looking forward to partnering with Concordia on the upcoming 2024 Americas Summit from April 22-23 at the University of Miami. Register here today: https://lnkd.in/eMZRVHRt The 2024 Americas Summit will elevate the region in a global context, creating opportunities that take advantage of its untapped potential, with a focus on two core themes: 1) Driving Sustainable & Inclusive Growth – to include poverty, healthcare, education, youth, future of work, migration, environment, and energy transformation; and, 2) Strengthening Democracy & the Economy – to include strengthening local democracies, rethinking social contracts, and the role of the private sector in local economies. Conversations will promote the discussion, definition, and implementation of impactful market-led transformations.

DEI has been at the center of community rec centers’ missions for years and allows the industry to see local communities through a different lens. But how can YMCAs, JCCs and community rec centers create real, impactful change versus just adding a blanket statement to their homepage? Read here the insight from industry leaders on the issue: https://hubs.la/Q02nHfvl0

Positive transformation

‘It is not that I’m so smart. But I stay with the questions much longer.’ –Albert Einstein Okay, we at Indiana Communities Institute are not geniuses. But, in a world that often values quick answers and Insta-solutions, we want to invite you to slow down and sit with your questions (and us!) at our Community Development Course this November. Whether you’re curious about the future of your neighborhood, how we can foster deeper community ties, or what role you might play in it all, this space is for thoughtful exploration. At Indiana Communities Institute we believe that questions open doors to meaningful change, and together we can create more connected, vibrant communities for more people. Bring your questions and your passion for your community and let's see what we can learn together.    📚 Why This Course? Economic and demographic shifts continually and increasingly test communities of all sizes. To remain relevant and to thrive, community leaders must tackle challenges and pursue opportunities in a comprehensive and creative way. These ongoing changes and the need for new approaches demonstrate the value of community development. It is necessary for community leadership, both official and unofficial, to undertake the training required to build capacity and help pursue strategies that put people and places first.    👥 Who Should Enroll? ~Local government officials looking to enhance their community engagement strategies. ~Nonprofit leaders eager to expand their impact. ~Business owners interested in contributing to local development. ~Community volunteers who want to make a tangible difference at the local level. ~Anyone who is passionate about community growth and vibrancy.     📅 Course Details & Registration When: November 13-15, 2024  Where: In-Person at Ivy Tech Community College, Muncie, IN Cost: $545 early bird rate until October 1, 2024   Register Now at https://lnkd.in/gtj76GY5

For anyone interested in knowing a bit more about the Community Development Institute: I attended CDI Texas at the beginning of March. In the picture below are attendees from my cohort (year 1) and also those from year 2 and year 3. However, this is just one location. There is a network with multiple sites all over the nation where those interested in training can attend. Completing three years of CDI training is one requirement in the PCED certification process. This course was held at Lone Star College-System Office, The Woodlands and included over 50 sessions facilitated by more than 30 practitioners on such topics as Community and Economic Development Practice, Developing a Workforce, Community Strategic Visioning and Planning, Identifying Stakeholders, and Community Assessments. Instructors from across the country, each well known in their business and community development fields, facilitated the comprehensive program curriculum designed to meet the increasing challenges facing community developers in today's fast-paced society. The program is applicable for community leaders from towns and cities of all sizes. The purpose of CDI Texas is to provide practical, interactive, and comprehensive training to meet the needs of economic and community development professionals. Participants included community officials, volunteers and employees who work with city/state/county governments, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, utility companies, and community social services. Since the program's inception, thousands of community leaders from throughout the country have participated in the program.

Easy and applicable approach to grassroot urban planning. Engaging youth in urban planning is a must for urban Jordan!

The NEW handbook for developing communities If you’re interested in developing or enriching community—as part of your living or part of your work—this handbook will be an invaluable guide. It will help you answer questions like… – What is ‘community’, and why does it matter? – What can we do to strengthen community in different settings? – What is the connection between personal wellbeing and community wellbeing, and how do we maximise both? – How do we develop healthier relationships between people? – How can our governance (from organisational to national) work in partnership with community? – How do we maximise our own capacity to be a leader in community settings? The previous edition of Weaving Tapestries has been used by a generation of community development students and practitioners. This edition adds more comprehensive guidance in relation to these questions, and ensures that that guidance remains relevant in our changed and changing world. Tim Muirhead has over 35 years’ experience in community development as a practitioner, educator, community member and influencer. He has worked extensively with all spheres of government and the non-government and community sectors. In 2002, Tim wrote Weaving Tapestries: a handbook for building communities, which has been a key resource for students and practitioners, particularly in Western Australia. He is also the author of Finding Heraan, an allegory about how—in diverse communities—we can genuinely hear each other and be heard, so that the human spirit can thrive.

Interesting findings from CST’s recent report ‘Is yours a listening school?’ show that many trusts are not fully leveraging the skills and knowledge of their local tier for community engagement and partnering. The report suggests that trusts should do more to leverage the untapped potential of local civic actors, with governors being just one stakeholder. Forum Strategy similarly makes the case of effective community engagement, giving local voices greater influence in shaping and delivering the trust’s vision and strategy. Schools and trusts are in the habit of running annual surveys of parents, staff and pupils, but do much less to engage a range of civic actors in the local community. This needs to change. Trusts needs to get closer to their communities through more meaningful engagement, carefully designed to elicit views, build relationships and capitalise on civic goodwill in resource-constrained times. More akin to strategic partnership building for long term community building. The rewards can be immense. Innovation in service delivery, enriched curriculum opportunities and appreciative families who see the trust’s efforts to make a positive impact on their lives. #CommunityEngagement #Education #Trusts #CivicPartnerships