Oralee's+Midterm


 * Midterm written paper (due by Nov. 21)**Write a 2-page memo to the executive director of a nonprofit organization who is not really sold on community engagement. This organization is about to open a new office in the Troostwood neighborhood and will be providing services to the community around it. You have been asked to brief the executive director about community engagement in general and about the Troostwood neighborhood.

To whom it may concern:

I would like to introduce my Community Center to Troostwood neighborhood because I feel and believe my organization can be a physical asset to the Troostwood Neighborhood. Community engagement is important to me because it challenges me to find my strengths and weaknesses. As far as community engagement, my strengths enhance my weaknesses because I learned that working with a great team of individuals can formulate great ideas. I know that in order for an individual company to maintain ownership their communication with the community and neighbors have to be clear and manageable. It is necessary to find out exactly what the area needs and wants are far as attraction and try to implement the change. I believe that in order for my organization to uplift I will need to gain a relationship with outside neighborhood associated to do so. First off I am aware of the; the NatureCenter, Brush Creek (flood zone), Rockhurst fields, TroostwoodPark and the CommunityGarden. This is the overview of Troostwoods physical asset as of now. I know that my organization can enhance and help beautify the Troostwood area. This is only a portion of the Troostwood area.

Social capitalism is important to me because it keeps the community engaged with what is going on within their neighborhoods. When socializing with a group of ideas it is necessary that they are regulating in group type settings. These should be organized group meetings that are usually called social or civic organizations that provide educational opportunities in regards to building the communities good will. This helps educate the community and keep them aware that they are encouraged to participate in different perspectives. This action will require intense preparation and organization. I believe that my Community Center will help enhance social capitalism due to the fact the center in itself will have space limited. The social gatherings could be instructed and information can be given in regards to the neighborhood association. Information could be posted and updated regularly at the center.

It is identified that conflict organizing is okay due to the fact other project teams ideas could actually enhance project related questions. It is necessary to provide project activities and updates accessibly. Also having a designated contact place to prompt accurate responses is necessary. That is why I believe the community center will help in the sense of organizing. As far as consensus organizing, it will provide project information at the Troostwood Community Center Station. These updates will be posted appropriately to the audience and be placed in well traveled areas. If sensible there can be a sign posted electronically outside of the community center that states interactivities and social gatherings and will be kept up do date.

The physical, individual and institutional assets of Troostwood exhibits that designs need to get noticed in regards to providing community wide distributions of information. This Troostwood community engagement center should reach all media, public and the local paper. It would be nice if the community center could engage by fax or email as well. This will inform the media as well as the community of technical and legal reviews. This should encourage written responses that can be documented as public involvements. This process helps provide limited opportunities to produce public involvement. This also provides access to expertise with other individuals and organizations.

The three basic principles I think an organization should follow in regards to the Troostwood Community would be making sure that the community has been provided access to public concerns about conflict resolutions. This could help limit the opportunities of debates because reports are being made. I also believe that it is necessary to have a World Wide Web site. This will proved information and links to other sites through a mailing list. This makes information accessible at anytime as well as gauges an impact on a larger audience. This can actually save on printing and mailing costs.The Troostwood communtiy center will provide positive instant analyses of results. This is known possible because I it will be made sure that statistically valid results will be made before making an investment. Statistic results are considered valid results in regards to the general public.

The community can’t be as credible without the larger community. People need to feel like they are being treated equal and fair. That is why it is necessary to hold intensive sessions where participants are pointing out problems and solving them by creative thinking. The community center can be seen as the representative by the Troostwood public.

Oralee Watkins

Please include the following sections:
 * Why community engagement is important to your organization:
 * What social capital means and why it is important to your organization:
 * What is the difference between conflict organizing and consensus organizing and how do you think they could be used by an organization coming into Troostwood?
 * Based on the asset mapping project, brief the executive director on the physical, individual and institutional assets of Troostwood.
 * Suggest three basic principles you think the organization should follow in its dealings with the Troostwood community. (There is no right or wrong answer here, but show you have put some thought into how your personal approach to community engagement is beginning to develop).

Asset mapping resources: