Community Leadership Institute
The NeighborWorks Community Leadership Institute (CLI) is a national training conference that aims to strengthen the voices and leadership skills of residents and key volunteers in NeighborWorks communities. For residents, youth and emerging leaders of these communities, CLIs provide a framework for learning and a forum for discussing community issues. NeighborWorks CLIs also provide opportunities for sharing best practices and solutions to problems.
NeighborWorks CLIs are the only large-scale training events offered in the United States focused on non-staff residents of local NeighborWorks organizations and their strategic partners. NeighborWorks CLIs strengthen and deepen residents' connections to their local NeighborWorks organizations and their communities so they can partner with others to cause positive, meaningful and sustainable change in their communities. The CLI was recognized as one of the top 50 submissions out of more than 1,000 in a competition sponsored by the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation.
Structure
In addition to a day and a half of workshops, this dynamic, interactive learning model integrates individual exercises, storytelling, discussion groups, role playing, neighborhood clinics (site visits and tours), roundtables and action planning work by teams of residents. As a part of a local team, participants acquire the skills to increase their self-confidence and improve their effectiveness as communicators and community organizers. They complete their experience by doing an Action Plan that will result in measurable impact in their neighborhood or community. A unique component of the CLI model is that one Resident Team Coordinator (RTC) from each CLI team is invited to attend a special training session approximately six months prior to the CLI. At this RTC Training, these key leaders are engaged in the design of their CLI and are trained in recruitment techniques to ensure they pull together a team that will maximize impact in their communities.
Project Blue Bike
In October 2011, NWGF sponsored a team of eight to attend NeighborWorks America's Community Leadership Institute (CLI) in Kansas City. The Community Leadership Institute is a training event that aims to strengthen the voices and skills of community, resident, and volunteer leaders. This year's Team created Project Blue Bike: A Downtown Bike Share Project. Why bikes? The goal of Project Blue Bike has been to provide safe, reliable bicycle access downtown. The program is great for your health, the environment and the community; it is a safe, reliable and FREE form of recreation; and its aim was to reduce traffic congestion, leading to quieter and safer streets. Project Blue Bike opened in May 2012, with bikes available for check out (and a helmet!) at five locations downtown. After a year, we've found that the site that by far got the most use out of the bikes was the Great Falls Rescue Mission, with several other direct social service agencies in the downtown letting their clients use them. In spring 2013, we will be recognizing our amazing partners that have made this project possible and giving the remaining bikes, helmets and bike pumps to the Rescue Mission.
Truly a Community Effort
The 2011 CLI team included Jill Jennings, Gary Hackett, Steve Alley, Tracy Houck, Stacey Zins, Carol Bronson and Jim Kizer. With funding support from NeighborWorks Great Falls and community donors, the P.M. Optimists provided us with 40 refurbished bikes for the project. Becasue of sponsorhip and donations from Pat's Auto Body, 1st Avenue Body Shop and ProCraft CARSTAR, we were able to paint the bikes royal blue at no cost. James at the westside Ace's gave us the bike locks at wholesale. Special mention needs to be given to Gary Hackett, who kept track of the bikes for us, took them to be repaired and stored the extra bikes over the winter! Thanks to all that have helped with this dynamic project.
NeighborWorks CLIs are the only large-scale training events offered in the United States focused on non-staff residents of local NeighborWorks organizations and their strategic partners. NeighborWorks CLIs strengthen and deepen residents' connections to their local NeighborWorks organizations and their communities so they can partner with others to cause positive, meaningful and sustainable change in their communities. The CLI was recognized as one of the top 50 submissions out of more than 1,000 in a competition sponsored by the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation.
Structure
In addition to a day and a half of workshops, this dynamic, interactive learning model integrates individual exercises, storytelling, discussion groups, role playing, neighborhood clinics (site visits and tours), roundtables and action planning work by teams of residents. As a part of a local team, participants acquire the skills to increase their self-confidence and improve their effectiveness as communicators and community organizers. They complete their experience by doing an Action Plan that will result in measurable impact in their neighborhood or community. A unique component of the CLI model is that one Resident Team Coordinator (RTC) from each CLI team is invited to attend a special training session approximately six months prior to the CLI. At this RTC Training, these key leaders are engaged in the design of their CLI and are trained in recruitment techniques to ensure they pull together a team that will maximize impact in their communities.
Project Blue Bike
In October 2011, NWGF sponsored a team of eight to attend NeighborWorks America's Community Leadership Institute (CLI) in Kansas City. The Community Leadership Institute is a training event that aims to strengthen the voices and skills of community, resident, and volunteer leaders. This year's Team created Project Blue Bike: A Downtown Bike Share Project. Why bikes? The goal of Project Blue Bike has been to provide safe, reliable bicycle access downtown. The program is great for your health, the environment and the community; it is a safe, reliable and FREE form of recreation; and its aim was to reduce traffic congestion, leading to quieter and safer streets. Project Blue Bike opened in May 2012, with bikes available for check out (and a helmet!) at five locations downtown. After a year, we've found that the site that by far got the most use out of the bikes was the Great Falls Rescue Mission, with several other direct social service agencies in the downtown letting their clients use them. In spring 2013, we will be recognizing our amazing partners that have made this project possible and giving the remaining bikes, helmets and bike pumps to the Rescue Mission.
Truly a Community Effort
The 2011 CLI team included Jill Jennings, Gary Hackett, Steve Alley, Tracy Houck, Stacey Zins, Carol Bronson and Jim Kizer. With funding support from NeighborWorks Great Falls and community donors, the P.M. Optimists provided us with 40 refurbished bikes for the project. Becasue of sponsorhip and donations from Pat's Auto Body, 1st Avenue Body Shop and ProCraft CARSTAR, we were able to paint the bikes royal blue at no cost. James at the westside Ace's gave us the bike locks at wholesale. Special mention needs to be given to Gary Hackett, who kept track of the bikes for us, took them to be repaired and stored the extra bikes over the winter! Thanks to all that have helped with this dynamic project.
