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Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News August 27, 2007 - Study tour highlights innovative programs By: Heather McKellips, for the Daily Tribune On Aug. 15, a group of 15 community members traveled to Duluth and Superior to learn about a nationally recognized program called "Speak Your Peace." The trip, a Community Progress Initiative study tour, quickly taught me that the "Speak Your Peace" program was not the only thing going on in Duluth and Superior. Community leaders are working hard to jump start innovative programs to help their community. In the process, they are building community pride and connectedness. The tour was a study in community best practices, a way to learn from other communities to bring new ideas and programs to South Wood County. The "Speak Your Peace" program is a set of nine tools that create a common foundation to help even divisive conversations remain respectable and civil. The city uses these tools in its meetings and to run re-election campaigns. Educators took it even further by incorporating the same principles into their middle school curriculum. I was impressed by their commitment to modeling this behavior in many different public forums. I think that our community could benefit from these simple guiding tools. Community members on the trip are eager to help introduce this program to our community. Along with the "Speak Your Peace" program, we also learned about several other programs and initiatives. "Circles of Support" is a mentoring based program that helps families who are living in poverty receive the support they need to help themselves. We heard from one of the program participants and her mentor. They demonstrated an authentic relationship that showcased their trust and mutual respect. We learned about project groups that are working to enrich their community around four key areas: Territorial Assets, Technology, Tolerance and Talent. These groups are also making a concentrated effort to retain their youths and to incorporate them into active positions of authority and responsibility such as serving on community boards. We learned a lot in Duluth and Superior. It motivated each of us on the trip to think about ways that we can develop the same type of service, commitment and community pride in South Wood County. I am anxious to play a part in bringing the programs from Duluth and Superior to our community. For more information on the Community Progress Initiative, visit www.progressinitiative.com. Heather McKellips is a study tour participant and president of Highland Training and Development.
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