Portland Public Schools’ Post

Today, I want to highlight the power of community success in negotiations. Far too often, we view negotiation as a solitary endeavor—a battle of wills between individuals. But some of the most impactful negotiations are woven from the threads of collective effort, diverse perspectives, and shared goals. Take Project Phoenix, a small community initiative aimed at revitalizing our local park. This wasn't about a single voice leading the charge; it was a symphony of community members—neighbors, local businesses, and civic leaders—each bringing their own strengths to the table. 1️⃣ **Diverse Perspectives:** The variety of voices meant that all community needs were considered. Kids wanted playgrounds, seniors desired walking paths, and local artists envisioned spaces for public art. By collectively negotiating with the city council, we achieved a design that catered to everyone. 2️⃣ **Shared Vision:** The foundation of our success was a clear, united vision. Every negotiation step was rooted in the shared goal of creating a vibrant, inclusive space. This unity made our proposals compelling and hard to dismiss. 3️⃣ **Mobilizing Resources:** Local businesses contributed funds, volunteers offered their time, and a coordinated campaign swamped social media with our mission. This collective effort provided the leverage needed to secure additional funding and support from municipal authorities. 4️⃣ **Resilience and Adaptability:** When initial negotiations hit a snag, the community rallied. Alternate plans were devised, showing city officials our flexibility and determination. This persistence paid off, demonstrating our project's viability and our commitment. In the end, the new Phoenix Park stands not just as a testament to successful negotiation but as a symbol of what a united community can achieve. It reminds us that negotiation isn’t merely about individual success; it’s about building a better environment for everyone involved. So next time you’re gearing up for a negotiation, remember: your strength can be amplified by the community around you. Harness that collective power, and you might just achieve something remarkable. #CommunitySuccess #Negotiation #Leadership #CollectivePower #SuccessStories #Teamwork #Strategy #Resilience

Thanks Government Market News for a great conversation about the value of public service!

🌟 #HappyLaborDay 🌟 As the Vice President of Workforce Development and Special Projects at the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) I'm reminded of the significance of today in recognizing and honoring the hard work and dedication of our labor force in Los Angeles County. In the face of rising cost of living, affordable housing challenges, and inflation, we understand the struggles many residents face. However, LA County remains a beacon of opportunity with robust sectors, unparalleled opportunities, and strong educational infrastructure that can help individuals secure living/family-sustaining wages and achieve their dreams. Our #talent attraction and #retention strategies are more crucial than ever. We’re committed to: ✨ Attracting Top Talent: By promoting a diverse range of industries, we continue to draw skilled professionals to our region. ✨ Supporting Our Workforce: Through continuous education, upskilling programs, and professional development opportunities, we're empowering local talent to thrive. ✨ Creating a Sustainable Future: Collaborating with community partners to address housing affordability and cost of living, ensuring our workforce can live and prosper here. Together, we can build a resilient, inclusive, and thriving community where every resident has the opportunity to succeed. 💼 Let’s continue to invest in our people and our future! #LaborDay #LAEDC #WorkforceDevelopment #TalentAttraction #TalentRetention #LosAngeles #EconomicOpportunity

Have you heard of The National Urban League? Learn more about one of our members and get to know Wanda Jackson, Senior Vice President of Human Resources. Learn more about the National Urban League and how you can make an impact by joining their organization.

Giving your feedback and input on Burlington projects, policies and decisions that affect the overall direction of where your city is headed is a crucial part of democracy and the democratic process. There are a number of ways you can share your thoughts and concerns with City Hall and Council, and one of them is the City’s Get Involved, Burlington platform. Get Involved is the City’s portal for projects that you can provide your input on. Participating in public engagement is important for several reasons, but especially because it helps contribute to your well-being, that of your neighbours and our whole Burlington community. It also helps ensure strong democracies and communities that, in turn, help develop well-informed policies that effect your day-to-day lives. Learn more about Get Involved and what particular topics you can provide your feedback on right now.

Our team is working on pulling together a high-value (low to no cost) webinar series focusing on "Community Building." When Nate Geinzer left his City Manager role nearly two years ago and determined to focus on consulting, three experiences drove the direction he would take Double Haul Solutions and his interest in community building: 1) Working on community building efforts in the City of Port Huron's Southside/South Park Neighborhood 2) Participating in the 2022 Community Builders Camp hosted by Doug Griffiths, MBA, of 13 Ways Inc. and 3) Teaching a great group of Masters of Public Administration Students at Oakland University. Because Nate is wired to collaborate, we wanted to create an opportunity for our followers and networks to help shape this emerging content. Our goal will be to have sessions build on one another, leaving participants not only inspired, but equipped with actionable strategies. Working titles/topics currently being considered/assembled include: ▶ What is Community Building: A Conversation ▶ Building Community in Less than Civil Conditions ▶ Embracing and Leveraging Diversity to Build Community ▶ Youth Engagement: A Mistake to Overlook ▶ Leveraging Neighborhoods to Build Community ▶ Building Organizational Capacity: Operationalizing Community Building ▶ Sustaining Community Building Through Constructive Relationships: Identifying and Effectively Engaging Collaborators ▶ Sustaining Community Building Through Constructive Relationships: Navigating Elected/Appointed Relations ▶ Missing Pieces: Basic Civics & Community Building Although we are still working on identifying speakers for each session, we can confirm Seth Kaplan will be participating in the "Leveraging Neighborhoods" session. Coming Summer/Fall 2024. #CommunityBuilding #CapacityBuilding #PublicService #CityManager #LocalGovernment Mitchell Foster, ICMA-CM April McGrath Lynch Lori Fisher Teresa Gillotti Peter Chapman Amanda Opalewski, MPA, CQIA Henry Outlaw, MPA Torri Mathes Jenny Vainberg

What is happening in Burlington is a bit heartbreaking. There are so many wonderful staff who deserve much much better political leadership. I've lost track of how many fine staff have been summarily fired, have taken earlier-than-planned retirement, or have moved on to other municipalities (I've been a reference for at least a dozen). As I say in my book, "Councils get the staff they deserve". And this is largely a result of the Premier's foolish decision to hand out 'strong mayor' powers. Strong mayors make local governments unarguably less democratic, turn CAOs into political actors (and hatchetpersons), put key municipal decisions into the hands of a single person (who may place their political self-interest above the community's). And, of course, strong mayor powers effectively reduce the rest of council to onlooker status. What is happening in Burlington is also a function of this new reality: If you are slick on social media, and follow the populist playbook, you can often get yourself elected to a municipal leadership role without having a molecule of leadership ability. On the upside, Burlington has hired a superb new City Manager who deserves everyone's support.

This blog is a long time coming! In it, I talk about one of the biggest projects on which I worked during my first year at CityWorks. I really couldn't be prouder of what WE accomplished together, and what it means for residents of DC. Please take a read, share feedback, and spread widely!

Has your business been affected by staff turnover resulting from the challenges of costly and scarce housing options? Have you observed an uptick in commuting among your workforce? Business leaders now have an opportunity to champion advocacy efforts aimed at enhancing access to affordable housing for employees. Join the Arvada Chamber’s Business Housing Advocate training to discover how you, as a business leader, can effectively advocate for housing solutions for the workforce! Hear insights from speakers Brian Rossbert (Housing Colorado) and Ben Taylor (Lincoln Avenue Capital) who will underscore the significance of business leaders' involvement in housing advocacy. Learn strategies for articulating your experiences and providing testimony at the local, regional, and state levels to support income-aligned housing that benefits both the employee and employer. Register HERE Click below! #employeehousing #employeebenefits #employers #employerhousing #housing

Warrior to Love: Show-Up I recently had an inspiring meeting with Councilman Michael Boylan from Jacksonville City Council District 6. It reminded me of the power of community engagement and the importance of taking action to drive change. Years ago, I considered a political career, but my wife and I decided it wasn't the right path for us. Instead, I focused on connecting with our local representatives, believing that true change starts with us. During our conversation, we discussed the book "A Quiet Revolution," which explores the history of Jacksonville's consolidation. Jacksonville Historical Society Both Councilman Boylan and I share a passion for history and a vision for progress in our city. We reflected on the challenges and the numerous failed attempts to unite and advance Jacksonville over the years. One of the biggest questions remains: how do you unite a community divided in the largest city by land mass in the USA? While I am still working on the answer, I know that getting involved and building relationships is a significant step forward. As a private citizen, I've had the privilege of connecting with some of the best professionals and actively participating in our community. My passion lies in solving problems and fostering resilience in relationships. Nothing happens unless you make it happen. It takes everyone to participate in creating and sustaining livable communities. Everything starts with you! Let's take action, show up, and work together to make City of Jacksonville the best place to live on earth. #CommunityEngagement #LocalLeadership #Jacksonville #WarriorToLove #ShowUp #Inspiration #TakeAction