EMPOWERING THE MASSES’ Post

More construction updates with our friends at #WoodstarProductions and #HorstConstruction

Reminder that our next Indigenous Sharing Circle is tomorrow at 12 p.m. (EST). Learn how First Nations and Indigenous people are leading and restoring cultural practices in agriculture. Register here: https://ow.ly/UTzM50QtJC5

Cooking and Connection: Strengthening Community Bonds Communities thrive on connections, and what better way to foster them than through the shared experience of cooking? In this post, we'll explore how community-based cooking workshops serve as a catalyst for building and strengthening the bonds that make neighborhoods resilient and vibrant.

What do your documents say? Are you in compliance?

#yourcoachjulieruppfelice For National Lighthouse Day: BE THE LIGHT HOUSE By Julie Rupp Felice “Be the lighthouse" is a powerful reminder to be a source of guidance, hope, and light in the lives of others. Just as a lighthouse shines its light to navigate ships through treacherous waters, we can be a beacon of support and inspiration for those around us. Here are some inspirations based on this idea: - "Shine your light to help others find their way." - "Be a source of hope in the darkness." - "Guide others with your wisdom and experience." - "Be a safe haven for those seeking refuge." - "Illuminate the path for others with your kindness and compassion." Remember, being a lighthouse is not about being a rescuer, but about being a steady presence that helps others navigate their own journeys.

Now more than ever, our state’s parks need us. This January, we’re seeking 100 new park champions to become a member by making a gift of $25 or more, so that we can confidently meet urgent needs in our beloved parks all year-round. Your increased support will help us tackle urgent projects in 2024, such as: 🌊 Building climate resiliency across the state to combat the ongoing impacts of sea-level rise, wildfire frequency and severity, and more. 🧡 Advocating at the statewide level so that California state parks have the necessary funding to reach their full potential and best serve visitors. 🌳Expanding access to parks so that all Californians can experience their positive impact on health, happiness, and quality of life. Can we count on you to help protect California’s amazing 280 state parks and ensure that access to their beauty, culture, and history is available to all? Become a member today: https://lnkd.in/gCtdbSF5.

Civic engagement through Local journalism is a vital component of economic [as well as democratic] health. Looking forward to speaking at this event alongside a formidable panel Torsten Bell, Kersten England CBE Hannah Slaughter & Tracy Brabin #bradford #regeneration #publicinterestjournalism #transparency #citizenship #economy #localjournalism ⬇️

Our Chair of Trustees Kersten England CBE is sharing a platform with Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, Rozina Breen, Hannah Slaughter and Torsten Bell this evening at the Resolution Foundation’s panel debate, ‘Building a better Britain: how cities like Bradford can help to end economic stagnation’. You can still register to join us tonight: https://lnkd.in/dNN_P2mH Kersten will be sharing our Institute for Community Studies's research on #NetZero policy, which highlights a risk of ‘transition poverty’ that could leave the UK's poorest 40% behind, saying "We can’t meaningfully talk about economic change without looking at the green economy". More: https://bit.ly/4bYTliR Furthermore, she'll be exploring how businesses need support to drive economic growth too. Social outcomes play second fiddle in #ESG strategies, yet ‘communities’ are cited by 76% of FTSE 100s as ‘key stakeholders’. She'll ask: "What difference could it make if our biggest companies truly engaged?" More: https://bit.ly/3LnHfVG #EconomicDevelopment #Inequality #EconomicStrategy

Congrats to our friend Rocket on his Ted Talk "Vermont: The Value of Hardship" for TEDx Hartland Hill's series, The Art of Living! What a refreshing take on the inherent BENEFITS of hardship: innovation, accountability, and cooperation - these are KEY qualities of Vermont living! Here at BRIC in Springfield, we're acutely and continuously aware of the myriad of challenges that rural life presents in the face of our community development efforts. If we're being honest, the list of obstacles and setbacks we encounter day to day often feels endless - like pushing a boulder up hill (both ways!) in the snow. Anyone boots on the ground doing this type of work knows it's not for the faint of heart, and in fact we often joke that you have to be a certain sort of glutton for punishment in order to ever actually make any progress. We know what we're doing is difficult, and that we're pushing against the odds with the things we're trying to accomplish - and somehow this awareness actually BOLSTERS our determination. The spirit of resilience and ingenuity is STRONG in Vermont. It's an inherent part of our identity. Whether it's snowstorms, early frosts, catastrophic flooding, workforce and housing shortages, food insecurity, busted leaking pipes - whatever the hurdle, Vermonters SHOW UP. We imagine possibilities, we work together, and we GET SHIT DONE. In spite of the challenges, there's nowhere we'd rather be! We believe in the power of our communities, we root for the underdog, and we WILL prevail. Thanks for the food for thought, Rocket! And for all that you're doing to help affect positive change here in Vermont! Check it out: https://lnkd.in/egRhvQgW #vermont #tedx #tedxhartlandhill #rurallife #ruralinnovation #community #CommunityDevelopment