Sociologists have for many years noted the unique social and economic dynamics that operate in island communities. These communities need not exist on actual islands. They can be communities located on large landmasses that are relatively isolated from large urban settings (typically requiring a trip by car or airplane of at least one hour). In many of these island communities one finds extensive art enterprises, heightened awareness of and activism in the area of environmental preservation, a rich intermixing of cultures, age-groups, political perspectives [operating in many ways like a “one room school house”].
The unique and richly-contributing nature of these communities was recently highlighted by James Fallows in his Atlantic article entitled: “Can America Put Itself Back Together.” In this remarkable article, Fallows stated: “. . . here is what I now know about America that I didn’t know when we started these travels . . . nearly everywhere we went we were surprised by evidence of a different flow: of people with first-rate talents and ambitions who decided that someplace other than the biggest cities offered the best overall opportunities. . . . [A] new set of ideas and plans will be at hand. We’ve seen them being tested in places we never would have suspected, by people who would never join forces in the national capital . . .{T]he people who have been reweaving the national fabric will be more effective if they realize how many other people are working toward the same end.”
Demonstration of Need
There is a need for a mechanism which can bring together a diverse set of experienced island-community leaders throughout North America to build on the findings and challenges their communities must face on a daily basis; to share insights, innovative ideas and solutions; build joint projects with leaders of other island communities; develop programs to foster increased engagement of “emergent” leaders in their communities; build strong community relationships through transparent, meaningful and productive interactions; and create an accessible repository for these ideas and solutions.
Vision
As a result of the collaborative sharing of resources, best practice, research and community-based scholarship, those who are actively engaged in and leading each participating community will be creatively, thoughtfully and successfully addressing the complex needs of their citizens.
Focus of the Collaborative Work to be Done
(1) What problems do we share within and between our communities?
(2) How do we collaborate to better understand and solve these problems?
(3) What can we learn from one another about how to sustain our successful efforts to work collaboratively in enhancing the “heart” of our communities?
Strategy
This organization provides a series of forums and collaborative initiatives involving a highly diverse set of community leaders, content experts and experienced practitioners who are encouraged to break out of their own silos, reach out from their own community isolation and find wisdom and achievement in collaborative, inter-community work. Based on the critical needs of communities and our mission statement, our organization initially will engage in collaborative programs that address the issue of isolation and build on the premise that there is much to appreciate in one’s own community and much to share with and learn from other often-isolated communities.