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To download a PDF version of the
following information, please
click here.
What?
When?
Who should participate?
What will happen?
How
long will it take?
Who
will facilitate?
What would
we have to do?
How will
we be supported?
What's in
it for us?
How do I sign
up?
What? top
Opportunity Works is issuing a “call to all” organizations,
agencies, businesses and groups in Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan,
Butler, Grundy and Tama counties and the Meskwaki Nation to share
input and ideas about how to increase opportunity in our region.
To do this, we are asking organizations to host “Brainstorming
Sessions.” Opportunity Works will provide all of the materials
necessary to host a dynamic, enjoyable, and informative meeting.
The goals are to:
• Develop community and individual descriptions of community
assets
¥ Generate strategy and solution ideas
¥ Determine urgency of issues and gauge willingness to get involved
When? top
¥ July, August and September 2002: Sign up to host brainstorming
sessions.
¥ September 1, 2002: Materials for brainstorming sessions are delivered.
¥ September, October and November 2002: Brainstorming sessions are
held.
Who should participate?
top
Everyone! Community organizations, neighborhood groups, civic organizations,
community clubs, associations, businesses, agencies, churches and
religious institutions are all encouraged to take part. People of
all ages, backgrounds and occupations are invited to participate.
If your group meets regularly this would make for an excellent meeting!
Opportunity Works’ goal is to engage 5,000 people in this
community dialogue over the next year.
What will happen?
top
The Brainstorming Session will contain several elements:
¥ Introduction to Opportunity Works and community information
¥ Determining community and individual assets
¥ Brainstorming strategies and developing a community vision of
opportunity
¥ Determining areas of influence and commitment
These elements will all be explained in the materials the facilitator
receives.
How long will it
take? top
Each brainstorming session will last 1.5 to 2 hours.
Who will
facilitate? top
Each organization that participates will receive a set of easy-to-use
facilitator’s materials. There are three facilitation options
an organization may choose:
¥ A member of the group facilitates the meeting using the materials.
¥ A member of the group attends a “facilitation workshop”
provided free of charge (in early September) by Opportunity Works
- and then facilitates using the materials.
¥ The group requests that Opportunity Works provide a facilitator.
What would we have
to do? top
Each organization is asked to commit to four tasks:
¥ Sign up to host a Brainstorming Session and receive materials.
¥ Recruit group members to attend the session and ensure that support
is provided (child care, transportation, translation, etc).
¥ Facilitate the session or request a facilitator from Opportunity
Works.
¥ Submit a report of the meeting by November 8. Report forms will
be provided.
How will we
be supported? top
To make this process as inclusive as possible we ask each organization
that hosts a brainstorming session to reduce as many barriers to
participation as possible. To do this, we will provide up to $35.00
to each organization that hosts a brainstorming session (of at least
10 people) to cover costs associated with child care, transportation,
translation, etc. Opportunity Works can provide assistance in locating
these services. These funds will be given to the organization after
the “report form” is completed and returned to Opportunity
Works. If your organization requires financial assistance prior
to the meeting, or if your organization is interested in holding
multiple meetings, please contact Stacy Van Gorp to discuss.
What’s in it
for us? top
We believe that the Brainstorming Sessions will help groups learn
more about their communities and the region, as well as help energize
people around community action. Additionally, any organization that
submits the results of their Brainstorming Session by November 8,
2002 will be entered into a drawing for three, $1,000 community
improvement grants. (Certain restrictions apply).
How do I sign
up? top
You can sign up to host a discussion session in one of two ways:
1. By clicking
here
2. Calling 319.273.5600 or 1.866.696.3560 (toll free)
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