KōCreate Info Session Slidedeck

OVERVIEW Project Summary Cohort/Learning Phase Applications Q/A

KŌCREATE PROJECT SUMMARY

Kō – To fulfill, bring to completion, accomplish, or carry through; to achieve through collective effort.

Create – To bring something new into being; to shape, build, and imagine what does not yet exist.

Kōcreate: A collaborative, community-rooted process grounded in the belief that thriving is possible when we fulfill our visions together.

PURPOSE OF KŌCREATE PROJECT SUMMARY

Strengthens connections among residents across Hawaiʻi Island Inspires individuals to reconnect with their vision of thriving Encourages meaningful action toward a shared, selfdetermined future Builds on local strengths and relationships Contributes to community-designed, place-based solutions in: Housing Economic development Energy resilience Emergency preparedness

WHAT WE BELIEVE KŌCREATE’S APPROACH TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROJECT SUMMARY

Community engagement means creating space for others to lead, not just inviting input on premade decisions True engagement requires a shift in power: From extractive systems Toward relationship-building and resourcesharing Centering community expertise

WHAT WE BELIEVE KŌCREATE’S APPROACH TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROJECT SUMMARY

We invest directly in residents as: Facilitators Data analysts Storytellers Spokespersons Those most impacted should lead conversations, interpret data, and shape narratives Real engagement is: Relational Emergent Often messy—but grounded in humility and accountability

WHAT WE BELIEVE KŌCREATE’S APPROACH TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROJECT SUMMARY

When done with integrity: Power is shared Knowledge is honored Change is created together

WHY IT MATTERS PROJECT SUMMARY

Major planning efforts are underway across Hawaiʻi Island in housing, economy, energy, and disaster preparedness KōCreate gathers community voices in ways that honor relationships, culture, and lived experience We support inclusive, place-based planning shaped with and by the people of Hawaiʻi Island

COHORT/LEARNING PHASE

REQUIREMENTS COHORT/LEARNING PHASE

Your Commitment 6-month journey of active learning Includes in-person and virtual sessions Occasional overnight stays Support a long-term goal Help lead islandwide gatherings Strengthen civic engagement in communities

TIMELINE COHORT/LEARNING PHASE

Learning Phase: August 2025 - February 2026 6 Sessions Total First Session: August- Visionary Communication: Aug. 15-16 Friday evening & Saturday all-day

TIMELINE COHORT/LEARNING PHASE

September

Visionary Communication

October

Strategic Design and Planning

November

January

Organizing and Activation

Resource Mobilization

Friday 9-12pm (Zoom)

Saturday 8:30am4:30pm

Friday 9-12pm (Zoom)

Saturday 8:30am4:30pm

Friday 9-12pm (Zoom)

Saturday 8:30am4:30pm

Friday 9-12pm (Zoom)

Saturday 8:30am4:30pm

TIMELINE COHORT/LEARNING PHASE

Final Session (Learning Phase) February - Reflective and Regenerative Leadership: Friday evening & Saturday all-day

COURSE DESCRIPTION #1 VISIONARY COMMUNICATION COHORT/LEARNING PHASE

Public Speaking, Storytelling, Messaging for Action Goal: Inspire others by articulating a clear, emotionally compelling vision.

Skills Developed: Public speaking, narrative development, motivational interviewing, media messaging, framing messages for different audiences.

COURSE DESCRIPTION #2 RELATIONAL LEADERSHIP COHORT/LEARNING PHASE

Group Facilitation, Conflict Navigation, TrustBuilding Goal: Build relationships across differences and hold spaces that are inclusive and productive.

Skills Developed: Group facilitation, managing power dynamics, active listening, cultivating psychological safety, resolving tensions.

COURSE DESCRIPTION #3 STRATEGIC DESIGN AND PLANNING COHORT/LEARNING PHASE

Project Design, Systems Thinking, Adaptive Strategy Goal: Design initiatives that are actionable, flexible, and rooted in community strengths.

Skills Developed: Backward design planning, theory of change development, complexity management, participatory design methods, data justice, program evaluation

COURSE DESCRIPTION #4 ORGANIZING AND ACTIVATION COHORT/LEARNING PHASE

Community Organizing, Volunteer Management, Momentum- Building Goal: Move people to action and build structures that maintain engagement over time.

Skills Developed: Campaign development, outreach strategy, volunteer recruitment and retention, event organizing, mobilization cycles.

COURSE DESCRIPTION #5 RESOURCE MOBILIZATION COHORT/LEARNING PHASE

Grant Writing, Fundraising, Asset Mapping Goal: Sustain projects by gathering and stewarding financial, human, and material resources.

Skills Developed: Grant writing, basic budgeting, fundraising communications, donor stewardship, community asset mapping.

COURSE DESCRIPTION #6 REFLECTIVE AND REGENERATIVE LEADERSHIP COHORT/LEARNING PHASE

Self-Awareness, Evaluation, Sustainability Practices Goal: Sustain themselves and their teams through cycles of action, learning, reflection, and renewal.

Skills Developed: Personal resilience practices, collective care models, program evaluation basics, feedback systems, burnout prevention.

APPLICATIONS

WHAT TO KNOW APPLICATIONS

Application Deadline: Friday July 11, 2025 KōCreators will be notified of acceptance into the cohort th

by Sunday, July 20 via email.

APPLICATION: bit.ly/kocreate APPLICATIONS

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