Social Capital is the Number One Factor in Economic Mobility

I just saw this segnment on CNN and feel it is so important to share asap:  http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/bestoftv/2013/08/17/exp-gps-0818-take.cnn&iref=allsearch#/video/bestoftv/2013/08/17/exp-gps-0818-take.cnn

Based on a collaborative Harvard/Berkley study of the factors that affect economic mobility, and for the USA "The American Dream"--the element a community has or does not have that is #1 factor is Social Capital.  Considering the Arizona Daily Star's recent series, Losing Ground, which explored poverty in the Tucson region, I strongly encourage followers to spread the word that this study and its findings could be the basis of an indepth "Gaining Ground" response.  As a Reading Seed Volunteer for five years (and now a TUSD/classroom reading volunteer), I certainly support the Star and our mayor's call to increase the number of Reading Seed Tutors as one way to create a more positive potential outcome for our community's children.  But we need a deeper conversation about poverty in our midst and I believe the CNN story and research it cites is a good beginning.

Let me know if you are interested in moving forward with this approach by emailing me at acfonte@aol.com .

Talk UP^ Tucson... event: Quotes Worth Sharing

I admit it.  One of the aftereffects of my PhD (circa University of Arizona, 1996) was my affinity for data collecting, particularly through informal qualitative/ethographic observations, group interactions and interviews.  Even when I don't know if the information will "go anywhere", I can't make myself throw away notes.  So, from yesterday's Talk UP^ Tucson... book houseparty here are quotes from some of the participants, only attributed by a first name initial.  Thanks to all for sharing and opening your hearts and minds.
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I:  Good idea...to talk about the pluses and minuses of Tucson.....Can progress be done?

K:  I am frustrated with groups, egos...am drawing away from the Tucson community...[but] while I am here, I want to be happy....

M:  I love the town but I have my moments....

R1:  ...neighborhoods are key components to authentic empowerment....  A neighborhood is defined by boundaries...a community is made up of people we have an emotional connection with....

N:  ...I am interested in how we can build resilience....

J:  I am curious about the intersection of community and happiness....  I know there is a lot of burn out in community work....  If it's not fun, why do it?...

R2:  ...Tucson could be a really great city...but we go down the wrong path....

B1:  I am burnt out.  I am happy with my life but unhappy in my neighborhood....  I am here to learn something....

B2:  I've gotten a bit disgruntled living in this neighborhood...[there is] a chipping away.  I came to see what's happening outside of neighborhood association meetings....

C:  ...I love my house but I don't love what's happened around me...infill...crime....  I am always looking for something positive.

D:  ...I live in a neighborhood 80% and I am a renter...I want to make a little corner [of it] better.

Snap Surveys: an activity of Talk UP^ Tucson presentation/houseparty/salon gathering etc.

As a "next step" for my 2013 book Talk UP^ Tucson..., when a person or organization buys two books (or more), I will come and do a presenations, reading, sharing, etc. based on the book.  I have done three events so far, meeting my minimum goal of one event per month.  At Kellond School's 3rd grad class where I volunteer during the year, we brainstormed responses to "what do you like about the Tucson region?" and I wrote down their responses with the cup (half full, or, in this case, brimming).

At Centra Realty in June, I did that activity and added a "snap survey" activity.  I asked the group to rate the Tucson region on a 1 to 5 scale (one=low, five=high) on the "Four Pillars of Gross National Happiness."

1. Promotion of equitable and sustainable socio-economic development
2. Preservation and promotion of cultural values
3. Conservations of the natural environment
4. Establishment of good governance
(source:  http://www.ghhusa.org/what-is-gnh/

I did the same activity yesterday at a friend's book-house party.

I am looking for locations/invitations to do more events like this and gather enough informal data to share in a fall newsletter. So let me know if you would like to participate.  Books are available at Mostly Books www.mostlybooksaz.com and Antigone Books www.antigonebooks.com

Tucson Neighborhood Leaders Meet and Do the Hard Work: BrightSpot Surprise

"This is really hard work," one of the participants mused at yesterday's meeting of neighborhood leaders who gathered for a 2nd of 3 scheduled meetings this summer convened by the Tucson Neighborhood Infill Coaltion.

"It sure is hard work,"  Ruth Beeker, facilitator for the meeting agreed.  "Moving ourselves from complaining (actually, Ruth used the "bit....." word, but I am cleaning it up a bit for my post) to finding solutions is hard work."  And, silently, I also agreed, saying to myself, "And this is why I am here: to find solutions."

As part of my tentative re-emergence in community work focused on "my cup is half full" philosophy and practice, I wasn't sure I had a place in this group.  But I decided to give it a try and administer a kind of self-test about how deep my exploration of community happiness and prosperity had really gone into my psyche.  So far I would say, it's made a definite positive difference in my attitude and behavior of public particpation.  I listen more closely and think a bit longer before I say something.  I judge less and appreciate different perspectives a bit more--not a 180 degree shift, but, still a change.

It's too soon to tell if this gathering of 22 neighborhood associations and 44 civic organizations can lean forward toward a more positive direction between neighborhoods, businesses and local government, but, as of today, I am hopeful.  One example emerged from my small group where a representative from the Garden District NA talked about how they have formed a public-private partnership with two neighborhood stores.  The businesses now fund a neighborhood newsletter and have altered their business hours to accomodate neighborhood concerns.  If this kind of progress can be duplicated in other neighborhoods (and expanded), Tucson can offer a brighter neighborhood-business community future. 

My neighborhood of Crest Ranch (located in Campus Farms NA) is just east of what I refer to as an example of "funky Tucson."  Walking west along the rurban roads along Vine and King, I enjoy rabbits and quails, lizards and diverse birdlife and the holiday decorations provided by one of the residents.  If I go east, I quickly can shop at Safeway and eat at Ghini's and buy French pastries at La Baquette Bakery.  On cooler days, I can ride my bike to UA Farms and enjoy the animal life and green fields that remind me of my farming roots.  All this, and more, contribute to the good life in my neighborhood. While establishing a "little free library" remains a challenge to my HOA (we have expanded my front yard "book basket" practice to something bigger...), a dedicated group of my neighbors and I are working with our HOA board to find common ground on this small community-building project.

What creates the good life in your neighborhood and how are you contributing to it on a regular basis?

 

 

Tucson General Plan Meeting's Quick Notes

This week, I attended two follow-up meetings convened by the City of Tucson to finalize concepts and language for the General Plan.  Both meetings were ably facilitated by City of Tucson staff, Rebecca Ruopp and supported by City staff.  The notes posted here reflect my listening and note-taking.  Both meetings were transcribed in more detail by City staff.  From both meetings what struck me, overall, were the following points:

1.  The tone was civil and productive.
2.  Some participants are coming for the first time to sessions which have been developing over 2 1/2 years.
3.  The elements of economic development and growth are interrelated and yet, we, as a public representing neighborhoods, government and businesses, don't seem to be ready to talk about them as interrelated elements and are not yet willing, therefore, to examine them with their benefits and trade-offs.

Here, then, are my notes:
______________________________________________________________________

Quick notes from 6/20/13  City of Tucson General Plan meeting on language and growth map, particularly as they apply to neighborhood and area plans; note no direct attribution but only initials of those quoted are in  (    ) parenthesis —by a.fonte/community renaissance (CR)

[For more specific meeting info, maps, etc., go to  http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/plantucson ]

Topic 1:  for Chapter 4 of the General Plan—suggested additional language, which, after 45 mins. of discussion was approved “for now”. (JH)  The suggested and approved text reads:

                Any amendment, consolidation, deletion, or modification of any neighborhood or area plan will be subject to the same public processes that are required during a neighborhood or area plan amendment, and all public input, including the input of the affected residents, will be maintained as part of the public record that is forwarded through these public processes.

Key comments noted by CR:

·         “It’s as a good a document as we can get….”  (RB)

·         “…what happens to the input is what is in question…”  (CA)

·         “Suggest that a future meeting examine how the current public processes are working….” (RB)

·         “…we lack policies to support the [General Plan] statement….”  (CA)

 

Topic 2:  The Growth Area Map—City of Tucson facilitator, Rebecca Ruopp and city staff explained that the state law requires that the 10 year General Plan address future growth; it does not require a map but, staff noted, most cities are now using maps to suggest future growth areas. Tucson has not had such a map for previous plans; this is new.   After 60 mins. of discussion, the map was approved with a) a new title that emphasizes it is a vision/scenario map and b) the map explanation of how to use and not use the map be moved to the map itself and increased in font size so that readers of the map cannot miss it or “cut it” off from a printed map.  

Key comments or points noted by CR:

 

·         The 12 building blocks/elements of the map were distilled from 36 or so previous elements.

·         The scenario model uses policies that will be in the recommended General Plan; these policies emerged from the 2 ½ year public participation process for the Plan.

·         The Map does not regulate nor is it a map for future zoning; it is a “starting place” for possible refinement of neighborhood, area and other land use plans.

·         The previous 10 year plan had a map with four growth areas.

·         “…we haven’t resolved the underlying [growth] issues….”  (DI)

·         “The Map doesn’t show enough potential growth details on the N/S corridors….”  (CM)

Handouts of the City’s proposed Map, an alternative map presented by one of the participants, Growth Areas Map Use Language and Attachment A were distributed to all participants.