Inside Out: The Case for Community Voice
Trust in US systems is at an all-time low. The needs of our communities are greater than ever before, but faith in institutions such as government, nonprofits, the education and justice systems and media are lower than ever before. Many are feeling the effects of this every day in both their personal and professional lives.
Next Stage, a consultancy that connects partners with nonprofits, private sector companies, government agencies, family institutions, philanthropy, and community leaders, recently published a report on the case for community voice.
As part of the report about the importance for cultivating trust in this rapidly changing environment, Next Stage studies how Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte built trust in Hidden Valley, its current Building a Healthy Neighborhood site.
Based on experience in previous neighborhoods, a traditional approach would not work in Hidden Valley. Rather than canvassing the neighborhood, conducting surveys, and convening focus groups, Morrison focused on cultivating authentic relationships – and on listening first.
RTGC started by meeting with community leaders in Charlotte’s Hidden Valley neighborhood. The team focused on building trust and relationships with leaders of Mayfield Memorial CDC, Hidden Valley Community Association and the Hidden Valley Optimist Club.
Next Stage concludes that BaHN in Hidden Valley is a success “because of the emphasis RTGC placed on listening and prioritizing the wants and needs of the community.”
“It took us two years to develop the relationships we needed,” Executive Director Beth Morrison said in the report, “but the result of that effort has been a deep partnership that couldn’t be replicated any other way.”
Inside Out: The Case for Community Voice
Community Voice is about listening to the voices of individuals and prioritizing lived experience. It is a critical activity for social good organizations and leaders – but how do we do this with authenticity and meaningful results?
Inside-Out: The Case for Community Voice will break down:
The history of Community Voice – and why it’s more critical than ever before
How Community Voice can bolster your programming and referral pipelines
Practical steps that move beyond surveys and into effective relationship-building
Community Voice is about equitable resources and investment – because cultivating authentic relationships can lead to transformational change. Download the report from Next Stage to learn how centering the voices of stakeholders can build more equitable organizations and communities where everyone can thrive.