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 Alyssa Nelson
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 Ruth Belazquez
 
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We Are Here Together - Summary Report of the Event


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FULL REPORT


We Are Here Together:
An Intergenerational Dialogue about Leadership and Our Community

February 16, 2007
County Office of Education

 

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When On The Verge, Group 5 first came together they entered into a commitment to strengthen their own leadership skills with the hope that they could then begin to unify Napa’s segmented community. Together they organized a forum that created a dialogue about leadership in the community and proposed the building of a multi-cultural and intergenerational community center. A total of 72 people attended the meeting on February 16, including youth and adults ranging in age between 16 and 80; leaders from the non-profit and public sectors; educators; and a mix of community members representing Napa’s ethnic, cultural and economic diversity.

While everyone involved was an active member in the community, many were also strangers to each other. There were several exercises organized by the Vergers to help participants get comfortable and familiar with those around them as quickly as possible. One exercise paired individuals and asked for as many responses to the question "Who are you?" as possible in 45 seconds. These consisted of short declarations such as “I am a woman” or “I am a brother”. Another exercise asked each person to explain “Why am I here”? Answers ranged from those who wanted “to be part of generations working together” to those who came “in support of On The Verge and On The Move”.

After getting to know each other, Vergers led several activities that explored three interrelated, critical questions:

  • How does each of us define a cohesive community?
  • How does each of us define a healthy organization?
  • How does each of us define an effective leader?

When asked to define a cohesive community, the following five categories were prioritized

1) Community-Driven Leadership

  • Elected officials set tone for community
  • Public leadership resembles community
  • Elected officials carry out promises
  • Role Model for the world
  • Awareness of issues in all segments of the community

2) Communication

  • Open channels of communication
  • Open, honest dialogue
  • Non-defensive

3) Equal Access & Empowerment

  • Community members feel empowered
  • Residents participate in decision-making
  • Inclusiveness
  • Opportunity for young people to stay in this community
  • Non-profits serve spectrum of needs
  • Accessibility of services to all socioeconomic groups

4) Shared Vision

  • Collaboration amongst agencies
  • Everyone working to make community better
  • Buy-in from the community
  • Common goal

5) Respect & Recognition

  • Generosity
  • Respect of present differences
  • Community not divided by race
  • Peaceful co-existence
  • Appreciation of history and contribution
  • Respect for whichever job you have/who you are
  • Recognition of the true value of diversity

 
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When asked to define a healthy organization, the following six categories were prioritized:
1) Communication
  • Transparency of information to staff and public
  • Identify problems and solutions
  • Change services to adapt to changing demography’s

2) Structure

  • Balance budget
  • Use available resources
  • Realistic plans that are financially feasible
  • Strategic plan
  • Strong leaders

3) Evaluation

  • Organization uses evaluation processes to improve services
  • Evidence-based services
  • Present policy informed by past successes
  • Meets needs of the community

4) Commitment

  • Commitment to mission
  • Board involvement
  • Opportunity for staff to grow
  • Content staff that provides excellent service
  • Staff believes in organization

5) Diversity

  • Diverse boards
  • Leadership represents all working there
  • Young and older leaders working together

6) Values

  • Focus
  • Respect
  • Inclusive
  • Creativity is valued
  • Open and collaborative
  • High standards

When asked to define an effective leader, there were more than 30 qualities attributed to effective leadership:
8 • Courage
• Role model
• Flexible
• Honest
• Follows through
• Loyal
• Passionate
• Courageous
• Strong
• Charismatic
• Trustworthy
• Responsible
• Reliable
• Persistent
• Confident
• Perseverant
• Informed
• Opinionated
• Collaborative
• Good communicator/listener
• Good organizational skills
• Takes risks
• Supports staff

When asked what are the general leadership needs in the community, the following three categories were prioritized:

1) Leadership Development

  • More collaboration among leaders
  • Need for local leadership
  • Leaders looking outside Napa for models
  • Leaders who are responsive vs. reactive
  • Succession planning
  • Accountability
  • Following through
  • Clarity around core values and mission
  • Need for action

2) Connection & Diversity

  • More leaders up-valley and in American Canyon
  • Structures that are responsive
  • Place to hear the voice of the poor
  • Dialogue between Latinos and Anglos
  • More diversity in leadership

3) Youth Leadership & Involvement

  • a) High school involvement in leadership
  • b) Educational area
  • c) Voice for young people
  • d) Visible, positive role models
  • e) Keeping young people in this community

 
When asked what are some leadership needs that might surface in the next 10 years, the following six categories were prioritized:

1) Organization

2) Development

  • Leaders who can bring Napa’s diverse population together.
  • Awareness of shifting demands on leadership.

3) Diversity

  • Positive Latino role models.
  • More bilingual leaders.
  • More diversity on organization boards.

4) Community

  • Engaging stakeholders
  • More collaboration between agencies.

5) Individual

  • Action/ delivers on word.
  • More men in non-profits.

6) Youth

  • Build a community for youth to come home to after college.
  • Keep young people in this community.
  • More youth in leadership roles.

 
When asked what Napa needs to be more cohesive, the following four categories were prioritized:

1) Investment in Diversity

  • Commitment to working together from a diverse set of residents
  • Respect and value for each other
  • A bridge between cultural differences
  • A voice for Latinos
  • Cultural sensitivity
  • Tutor program for Spanish speakers

2) Responsible leadership

  • Stronger county and city government
  • Power sharing
  • Awareness of change
  • Focus on social and economical injustices

 

 3) Intergenerational Exchange
  • Education
  • Mentorship program
  • Activities for youth and a place for them to go

4) Communication

  • Local media awareness
THE PARKING LOT
There was a moment when one woman raised her concern about community involvement. Having made several attempts to bring community members to meetings on low-income housing, she was frustrated by the low attendance. It was suggested that she put her concern up in the "Parking Lot", which was a figurative space for ideas that needed more attention, but could not be addressed adequately given the time constraints of the day. By the end of the day, people had filled the "Parking Lot" poster with their suggestions on getting more people involved in the meetings.

OUR YOUTH COMMUNITY

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Youth were given a special role within the meeting. They began as a separate group to ensure that their ideas were fully voiced. Later, youth and adults merged into larger collaborative groups. Ultimately, their voices served as a bridge between generations and helped to create a better understanding of the many needs in our community.
Some youth said that it could be frustrating, competitive and misguiding to be a young person in Napa. Others said that the community has used its differences as a reason to argue rather than work together. In this way, youth have felt looked down upon and shut out from leadership opportunities, rather than embraced and included.
If the youth could change their community…
Education
• Smaller class sizes
• Adult allies
• More individual support and help
Youth Voice
• Flow of new ideas and energy
• More available information about youth activities and community involvement

 Positive Activities
• Keep music alive
• Community/youth center
• Daily events/sports
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OUR SHARED VISION

At the end of the day, we proposed the development and building of a Multicultural Center to bring the community together. Each group of participants wrote or drew their ideals for the new center. The outcome was a place that would bring interracial, intergenerational individuals and families together. It would be built by the community and for the community. It would be a safe, accessible and welcoming place to engage in fun, healthy and artistic activities. It would contain a diverse staff and be available to everyone.

15 Components:
• Garden
• Pool
• Indoor Arcade
• Computers
• Music
• Sports
• Art
• Dances
• Classes
• Counseling
• Spanish & English
• Transportation
• Fitness Facility
• Kitchen
EVALUATIONS
Participants were given an evaluation form at the conclusion of the meeting. When asked to rate their experience of the event, they indicated that it was excellent and well done. Votes indicated that the Vergers had done a great job facilitating the meeting and were considered both a healthy organization and cohesive community for their diversity, passion and communication. Most people said that they felt positive knowing that there are others in the community that see a need for change. The majority wished that the forum were longer.

NEXT STEPS
We are forming a youth and adult core-leadership team. The objective of this will be to create a game plan to help guide the community in taking the necessary steps to realize the vision that is being co-created.

We will be in touch to continue this conversation and make further plans.

 

  

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