Background: Hometown Collaborative Initiative (HCI).

Read Ahead: 

• Final Version and Accepted Application  hci_bc leadership coop appfinal_2018_12_02
  • Powerpoint Presentation of the Concept. 20181031 Concept Walk Through

Project Application Requirements

• 01 HCI Gen 2_ Capstone Project Guidelines and Application Form-FINAL
• 03 Capstone_ Pathway Application _Scoring Sheet

A Capstone Project is a project (s) approved for an investment of up to $10,000.  The Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) – HCI  Program contributed $5,000 and the Brown County Redevelopment Commission provides another $5,000.

“Among” the current project proposals is the development of a Leadership Co-Operative.

• A cooperative (also known as co-operative, co-op, or coop) is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations. (Wikipedia)

Leadership reduces the gap between the desired and current situation.  This is done through an assessment, a strategy, and an action plan.

Purpose:  Support a shared vision, promote and communicate the successes of existing and new organizations and initiatives, raise awareness of community needs and accomplishments, identify opportunities for volunteers, and provide ongoing support for improvement.  The Leadership Co-Op Process includes the following:

1. Stakeholder Assessments of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT)
2. Strategic Planning with Stakeholders
3. Project Management. A project has a beginning and an end and produces a specific result

The “Capstone Project” is to validate a proof of concept by providing examples of successful applications:  Successes can include:

1. A Leadership Co-Op Program and a successful project (s).  Demonstrate and document how the process was applied and led to the identification and application of the Co-Op Program to a project (s) in a Food related category.
2. Development of a new program and project proposal (s) in a Food related category.
   1. Food Council?
   2. School Gardens?
   3. Other?
3. Application examples developed by HCI Team members could include an existing or new program/project or initiative.
   • Redevelopment Commission (RDC)
   • Arts Commission
   • Township Management and Support
   • County Council
   • Leadership Brown County
   • Facebook Groups – Establishing and sustaining
   • Running for elected office
   • Hosting a Community Forum
   • Website – Coordinate Programs and Volunteers
     • Example – Get Involved – City of Bloomington Volunteer Network   
     • Chicago Volunteer Expo 
   • Community Calendar
   • Business Plans (SCORE)
   • Other