Creating a Community Vision for Education in Collier County, Florida

The Challenge 

The Education Foundation of Collier County (EFCC) sought assistance with community engagement to bring the community together in a time of turmoil on education issues.  

Our Approach 

Collaborative teamed up with EFCC to implement a comprehensive community engagement effort, called Connect Now, which included the following:

  • Structure and facilitation of a steering committee representative of all key stakeholders.
  • Design, coordination, facilitation and documentation of conversations among residents across all neighborhoods.
  • Design, facilitation and documentation of cross-sector community-wide forums that build and solidify a community vision for public education.

Collaborative’s experience leading similar efforts gave confidence and support the leadership effort played by EFCC in creating and moving Connect Now forward.

Our Impact 

The Connect Now process allowed the community to have ownership of its vision for education. Through Collaborative’s efforts, the EFCC and community stakeholders gained the ability to facilitate effective conversations about education. Building this internal capacity within the community allowed this community to continue discussions, which would lead to the school district’s decision to develop a district strategic plan.

Learn more about what the steering committee members said about this process.

The final product – a statement from the community about the future of education. That statement is serving as the foundation for organizational and school district planning.

Date Added: Mar 30, 2010
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