Going from “now” to “wow” as a community is a process that starts by picking a project that can be accomplished and focusing efforts of many groups to get it done.
A dinner meeting called “Better Together” brought 77 people from the community to discuss ways local groups can work together, said Terri Johnson of the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance. She helped conduct the meeting, organized by the Fayette County Foundation.
In a 90-minute session at the James L. Roberts Memorial Building in Roberts Park, group members were asked to visualize what Connersville is now. The Foundation’s executive director, Anna Dungan, then asked, “What do we want to aim for? It’s kind of like asking a 15-year-old where you want to be in five years.”
Table-sized groups expressed concerns about having skilled jobs here that pay well, drug abuse, educational attainment and many other topics.
Dungan said the ideals expressed by many reflected a rosy view of the past. “Have we ever been there? Nostalgic is awesome,” she said, but she hoped this group would try to work toward accomplishing a single project.
“We’re not going outright for the Christmas dinner,” she said, adding later, “Tonight’s discussion was really about coming together and building. We want to come together and use our assets.”
After the meeting, some of those attending said they felt good about it.
“The biggest problem,” said Tim Rogers, the new Kiwanis Club president, “is that we’ve got so many different groups in town. How are we going to get together on just one problem?”
Kay Riker-Peyton, a Fayette County Council member, said she was pleased to have seen representatives from many of those groups at the meeting. “We need more volunteers from the community to come out and help with all the efforts that are being pursued,” she said.
Dungan said she believed the meeting was a “great success.”
She said, “Organizations identified the number one need, beside money, was volunteers. Organizations need volunteers to serve as board members, committee members and people to help do things within their organization.
“Who can volunteer? People of all ages. Community members that are interested in volunteering, please email me at annadungan@fayettefoundation.com and we will connect you with Better Together attendees.”
Norm Dew, pastor for seven years at Peace Lutheran Church, thought it interesting to hear about all the different needs of various groups. It would be helpful, he said, if someone would put together a database of all the talents of those at the meeting, as well as available elsewhere in the community. That could provide helpful resources when a group needed them.
The next step, Dungan said, is to, “Continue the conversation with organizations about how we can build trust among organizations, create partnerships instead of duplication, and utilize current funding sources for maximum impact in Fayette County.”