Where Grassroots Meets Grass Tops: An Analysis
Written by Tim Buckley, May 2024
The Building Community Resilience model being rolled out in Salem and Keizer is novel: it calls for stimulating growth both at the grassroots and the “grass tops” in our cities. At various times, there is a conscious effort to bring the grassroots and grass tops together. When that occurs, the growth in trust, connection and community health is evident.
GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING
Here are the basic steps in forming a new Neighborhood Family Council (NFC):
Identify the neighborhood
CBEL staff and interested neighbors connect with the principal of the nearest elementary school; they set in motion a partnership to work together
Recruit other parents to become the nucleus of the NFC
Begin meeting on neighborhood priorities
Build closer ties with the elementary school Community/School Outreach Coor.
Plan NFC events, to attract more neighbors and gather more info on neighborhood priorities
Receive training in Strengthening Families Protective Factors, Outward Mindset, team building, leadership, stress reduction, financial wellness, etc.
The NFC receives $1,000 monthly to help pay for its activities and events.
GRASS TOPS ORGANIZING
CBEL Executive Council makes policy decisions.
CBEL’s resource staff helps NFCs to carry out action plans, and provide training
Coordinating NFCs with three area nonprofits, whose goals reflect the same values as CBEL’s. We call these our Collective Impact Initiative partners:
Coordinate and host the CBEL Collective gatherings six times a year.
Develop media to communicate the message, and the accomplishments, of the project.
WHERE THEY MEET IN THE MIDDLE
Where the grass roots meet the grass tops is totally interesting. And a bit unusual. Here’s why.
In “normal” transactions, there is a giver and receiver. An easy example – you buy something that has been produced and you make it yours. Or you make something and give it away or sell it.
But in the CBEL realm - the ideal Building Community Resilience model - transactions flow back and forth between giver and receiver, between maker and consumer.
Where can you experience that mutual, reciprocal action?
At NFC events. Grass tops volunteers are embraced in Grassroots events, both helping to create a successful event, but also receiving the benefit of the wonderful energy of sharing a community meal, meeting new people, and steeping in cultural delights.
At CBEL Collaborative gatherings. Grassroots and Grass tops mingle, share a meal and learn new facets of building community resilience. In small groups, we share our own experiences in the context of larger questions that impact us as a whole.
We explore topics to inspire and inform everyone. Mindfulness, collective impact, and strengthening family factors were just a few of the topics discussed in the last year. Rhonda McGee, Paul Schmitz, and Clifton Taulbert are just a few nationally-recognized people who have visited us and helped us appreciate the broader context for our work together.