Boulder residents gathered at City Hall on July 23 to explore existing strengths and opportunities in our community, and to begin to map key actors and networks.
This was the second session of the Heart and Soul series. Boulder was selected as one of five towns to join a new Montana cohort of Community Heart and Soul, a national organization that helps rural communities survey residents and establish long-term goals and action plans.
The session began with citizens assessing drivers of community readiness within four broad categories: community interest, leadership, relationships and community culture, and resources. Each category was evaluated based on whether it represented a strength, an opportunity, or a point of mixed or uncertain progress.
Once community readiness was identified, the group describing key groups within the Boulder community — who lives, works and plays in Boulder. Participants brainstormed a large list, including public organizations/non-profits, schools, businesses, medical, public information, government, seniors, faith based, emergency services, event organizers, recreation and entertainment.
They then wrote the names of more specific actors within each group, filling sheets with colored sticky notes — and starting to build a comprehensive inventory of who does what in the community.
As the clock struck the scheduled end time, City Hall was buzzing with energy and enthusiasm. The second session of Community Heart and Soul had been a resounding success, with participants deeply engaged in exploring the patterns of life, work and play in Boulder.
Our next meeting will pick up right where the second left off. On Aug. 27, at 6 p.m. at City Hall, we’ll dive deeper into identifying and understanding the connectors that make our community thrive. Your insights and energy have been invaluable, and we’re excited to continue this important work together.
Graham is Jefferson County’s Planner
