SCLC

There is hope and it begins here at home.

I chatted with someone the other day who expressed deep frustration with the world and the direction we were heading as a country and it saddened me to see his level of disillusionment. I got the feeling that this person just felt like nothing could or would change for the better.

And considering what we’re told through the media and what we observe in our communities, and our world, I can understand this person’s frustration.

But there is hope and it begins here at home. The Aspen Institute recently released a study that finds most change in communities occurs through pockets of activity that emerge and take root over time. The author of the paper, Richard Harwood, goes on to say that, “these pockets result from individuals, small groups, and various organizations seeing an opportunity for change and seizing it, often through trial and error. Seldom are the collection of such pockets orchestrated through a top-down, linear plan; instead, they happen when people and groups start to engage and interact.”

For the last 16 years, Leadership Montezuma has brought people together to engage and interact. It’s time to do it again.

When was the last time you were asked about what your vision for the community? More importantly, when was the last time you were able to listen to another’s hopes about our community?

With our partner, KSJD Community Radio, we are convening a series of small, rather intimate conversations between citizens of the greater Cortez area. This is a local effort to engage the community about our aspirations and concerns; it’s a chance to help our community move forward by understanding how the community thinks about the issues we’ll be talking about in the conversation.

This conversation is NOT, sponsored by a political party or a business development effort. It is NOT a complaint session, or a place to sell a particular solution or approach.

Rather, the purpose of these conversations is to hear from you and others who share diverse viewpoints. And importantly, it is the most important step in shaping the future of the community, so your role at the table is vital.

Our first Community Conversation will convene on Wednesday, November 30 at 3:45 in the upstairs room at the Cortez Cultural Center. We plan to hold many Community Conversations over the coming months so if this Conversation does not fit your schedule, we will extend an invitation at a later date.

So now I need action – from you! Put your LM action oriented talents to great use and come join us and invite someone with a different point of view. I guarantee that we will have a great conversation!

RSVP

Please RSVP to me, freerobby@frontier.net or 769-6151 if you would like to join us for this First Community Conversation. We need to know how many are able to come.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011
3:45 pm – 5:30 pm
Cortez Cultural Center
25 North Market Street
Cortez, CO

Access to the upstairs meeting room is in the back of the building. There is extra parking there as well.

If you can attend please plan to arrive on time and try to stay for the whole period. This is a conversation and we all will gain the most from everyone’s full participation.

Thanks and have a great day!

Robby Henes