From the CEO
Bill Roper's year-end review highlights the Foundation's latest shifts in thinking, new staff and upcoming projects—all of which contribute to a broad new focus on "Heart & Soul Community Planning."
Scenarios E-Journal
Past Issue
Winter 2007 - 2008
The Wisdom of Communities
James Surowiecki, author of The Wisdom of Crowds, discusses why communities may be smarter than the sum of their parts. John Barstow interviews Michael Wood-Lewis of Burlington, VT's Front Porch Forum, and we recommend Animating Democracy, a program that uses arts and culture to boost civic engagement across the country.
Contents
Speaking of Place
James Surowiecki, author of The Wisdom of Crowds, uses comedy movies, jelly beans and TV game shows to explain why, when it comes to smarts, communities are more than the sum of their parts.
On the Ground
Tammie Delaney writes from her home base in Routt County, Colorado, where communities are teaming up with elementary schools, using keypad polling and celebrating the region's character in a visioning initiative called Routt County 2030.
Innovator in Place
Contrary to popular opinion, quality time with your laptop can actually increase face-to-face interactions and neighborhood spirit—so says Michael Wood-Lewis, founder of Burlington, VT's Front Porch Forum, in an interview with John Barstow.
Tech Toolbox
Doug Walker and Rebecca Sanborn Stone introduce the Big Box Evaluator—a free online tool from the Foundation that helps communities explore the ups and downs of bringing Big Box stores to town.
What We're Reading
Betsy Rosenbluth finds meaning in the personal stories and professional wisdom captured by the author of Bowling Alone and some of today's top practitioners in the fields of social capital and community development.
Featured Website
Americans for the Arts' Animating Democracy initiative encourages civic participation and dialogue by fostering arts and culture.