we are able to corral a wide array of
Catalytic, Growth, and Sustain /
enough attention to fostering the
leaders who say they are willing to
Renew. Ignoring the stage that a
right enabling environment, then we
work together. Or because “enough”
community is in often leads to
are not in tune with the community.
funding has been aggregated. And
strategies that simply do not fit that
At such moments, it is often possible
the use of data and evidence-based
community’s context. With the best
to hear people in a community say,
decision making — while important
of intentions, we can be starting at
“Why is the approach we’re using
— is no guarantee either.
the wrong place, with the wrong set
working in other communities but
of actions.
not in our own?” And, “Despite our
These and other approaches can be seductive — and they may work
The Harwood Institute has also
best efforts, why is our communi-
in some communities, for a period of
identified a set of underlying condi-
ty not moving forward faster?” Or,
time. But in order for communities to
tions in a community (called “public
“Why, despite our heroic efforts, are
move forward, we need to take into
capital’’) that, together, help to create
we not making more progress?”
account how communities naturally
an enabling environment for change.
evolve and change.
These factors include different
A different way to move forward
layers of leadership, organizations,
The Ripple Effect is based on a
Being in tune with the
and groups that span boundaries
different way of thinking about how
community
and bring people together, conscious
change comes about, takes root,
One way to think about this
community conversation and net-
and spreads in a community. Some
evolution is that communities go
works for learning and innovation.
of the key ideas underpinning this
through stages. In previous research,
The problem is that in most com-
approach include:
The Harwood Institute found that
munities, the enabling environment
• Our efforts can help to shape
there are five stages in all, each with
is weak and must be strengthened
a community, but we cannot
its own implications — a set of do’s
in order for a community to work
and don’ts — for how a community
together and make progress.
impose our will on a community. • Change in a community tends
can make progress. In the Harwood
When approaches and strategies
to emerge over time.
Index, the five stages of community
for change don’t take into account
• The key is to understand where
life are The Waiting Place, Impasse,
a community’s stage and don’t pay
and how to get started — what’s
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