EricDavis's blog
Citizens Solutions: The People Beg to Differ
While the Minnesota government shutdown is over, it's apparent to all interested parties that no real reform was forged. No true long-term solutions have been enacted, and there's every indication we'll once again face gridlock when the 2013 budget discussions begin.
So, let's start creating solutions now.
Two weeks ago, InCommons along with the Bush Foundation helped host three gatherings throughout the state -- Grand Rapids, Bloomington and Rochester -- to help give everyday citizens a voice in the ongoing government gridlock over the future of Minnesota's budget.
Called "Citizen Solutions Forums," the sessions for the first time enabled individuals of all social and political backgrounds to come together for civil, open conversations on how to create a healthier fiscal environment in our state.
We'll be harvesting findings, notes and resources in the coming days, and will be sharing them on the site for you to review and to also offer your own opinions and solutions.
Until then, we hope you enjoy additional summaries of the gatherings, including:
Collaboration Creates Cleveland’s Future
What if we thought beyond “job creation” and made the leap to “wealth creation” to foster a more sustainable future?
It’s happening in Cleveland through a collaboration among non-profits, large corporate institutions, foundations, policymakers and enthusiastic entrepreneurs. Fast Company reports on Evergreen Cooperatives’ work as “a new way of doing business that’s not just good in theory, but has proven itself to be a workable solution in reality,” writes article author Jeffrey Hollender, co-founder and former CEO of green products manufacturer Seventh Generation. “[It is] the economic model of the future: the worker-owned business built upon the predictable revenue flow of place-based anchor institutions.”
What “Size” Should Your Network Be?
Kudos to InCommons member Jeff Urban for his collaborative efforts to co-develop Leadership and Community, a Twin Cities blog focused on identifying development opportunities for individuals to improve their leadership skills and inspiring a community of people to take action and make a difference.
Urban, a recruiting manager with Solution Design Group, a Minnetonka-based IT consulting firm, has helped build a lively forum for a number of contributors to share business development ideas and offer peers helpful advice in doing well in your job while being an equally effective change maker in the community.
I encourage you to check it out and consider following. For a preview, here’s one particular entry Urban posted that every member of the InCommons community I’m sure on occasion has asked: “What ‘Size’ Should Your Network Be?”:
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