Convening Neighbors to Deepen Capacity and Innovation
Presentation Format
Individual Presentation
Intended Audience
Faculty/Practitioners
Presentation Description
In the summer of 2015, Emory & Henry College (E&H) hosted its inaugural Civic Innovation Institute. Emerging from a need and desire to deepen faculty and community partner capacity for meaningful, innovative civic engagement work, the conference convened local and national experts on a wide range of topics aimed at enhancing the relationships and skills needed for long-term civic engagement projects in rural Southwest Virginia.
A dynamic team of faculty, community partners, and students comprised the planning committee, offering their insights and expectations in the planning of the institute. Local non-profit professionals, E&H faculty, and national experts offered a rich and challenging two-day program aimed at deepening hard skills in project design and civic outcomes development. Emergent relationships and projects were nurtured into the proceeding academic year and are bearing fruit in ways we’re just now coming to fully understand. From early conceptualization to follow-up evaluations, developing long-term partnerships and sustainable community outcomes remained at the forefront. The conference, and its resulting relationships and projects, were a game changer for Emory & Henry College and our region. It was an event met with wide enthusiasm and the anticipation for next year’s gathering is already growing.
I propose a brief presentation on this practice in the hopes that it might spur other campuses and communities to consider organizing similar events. Most participants (faculty and community partners) commented on the importance of dedicated time for skill development and networking and it is my thinking this is a practice worth replicating. I believe, though, the success of the event rests heavily on the intentionality that went into its planning, execution, and evaluation. I propose a thorough, but concise overview of the process and the outcomes of the Civic Innovation Institute at Emory & Henry College with an opportunity for lively discussion following.
Learning goals for the presentation would include:
- Program planning skills
- Designing learning outcomes for diverse populations
- Program management skills
- Program evaluation skills
It is my plan to build time at the end of the 30 minute window for participants to offer their own experiences/stories of similar events, to offer suggestions, and ask questions of the presenter following the formal remarks.
Location
Room - 210
Start Date
4-14-2016 3:15 PM
End Date
4-14-2016 4:30 PM
Recommended Citation
Proffitt, Travis, "Convening Neighbors to Deepen Capacity and Innovation" (2016). Gulf South Summit on Service-Learning 2016. 2.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gss/2016/2016/2
Convening Neighbors to Deepen Capacity and Innovation
Room - 210
In the summer of 2015, Emory & Henry College (E&H) hosted its inaugural Civic Innovation Institute. Emerging from a need and desire to deepen faculty and community partner capacity for meaningful, innovative civic engagement work, the conference convened local and national experts on a wide range of topics aimed at enhancing the relationships and skills needed for long-term civic engagement projects in rural Southwest Virginia.
A dynamic team of faculty, community partners, and students comprised the planning committee, offering their insights and expectations in the planning of the institute. Local non-profit professionals, E&H faculty, and national experts offered a rich and challenging two-day program aimed at deepening hard skills in project design and civic outcomes development. Emergent relationships and projects were nurtured into the proceeding academic year and are bearing fruit in ways we’re just now coming to fully understand. From early conceptualization to follow-up evaluations, developing long-term partnerships and sustainable community outcomes remained at the forefront. The conference, and its resulting relationships and projects, were a game changer for Emory & Henry College and our region. It was an event met with wide enthusiasm and the anticipation for next year’s gathering is already growing.
I propose a brief presentation on this practice in the hopes that it might spur other campuses and communities to consider organizing similar events. Most participants (faculty and community partners) commented on the importance of dedicated time for skill development and networking and it is my thinking this is a practice worth replicating. I believe, though, the success of the event rests heavily on the intentionality that went into its planning, execution, and evaluation. I propose a thorough, but concise overview of the process and the outcomes of the Civic Innovation Institute at Emory & Henry College with an opportunity for lively discussion following.
Learning goals for the presentation would include:
- Program planning skills
- Designing learning outcomes for diverse populations
- Program management skills
- Program evaluation skills
It is my plan to build time at the end of the 30 minute window for participants to offer their own experiences/stories of similar events, to offer suggestions, and ask questions of the presenter following the formal remarks.
Program Abstract
In the summer of 2015, Emory & Henry College hosted its inaugural Civic Innovation Institute. Emerging from a need to deepen capacity for civic engagement work, the conference convened experts on a wide range of topics which enhanced the relationships and skills needed for long-term civic engagement projects in rural Southwest Virginia. Learn about the critical elements necessary for its success and consider how you might convene a similar gathering with your community.