University of Wisconsin - Extension

You know those Russian nesting eggs (Matryoshka), the ones you open up and there’s another inside and then another and another….? Strange as it may sound, that’s the image that springs to mind when one thinks of the “Building Communities” program.

That’s because “Building Communities” is several programs—and stories—in one artfully designed educational package: The content. The learners. The concept itself. The partners. The presenters. The technology. The instructional design. The collaboration. The outcomes. The success stories. If Matryoshka—seemingly unending gifts inside other gifts--is an apt metaphor, then there are wonderful educational surprises still to be discovered inside the “Building Communities” program.

The idea: “Building Communities” is the brainchild of Andy Lewis and Bill Pinkovitz of UW-Extension’s Center for Community Economic Development (CCED). The basic concept is to offer community development and economic development information while training participants how to use web-based educational tools. As Pinkovitz and Lewis say, “What better way to train folks on how to use web-based tools than the web itself?” The program is presented once a monthweek from October through May. ICS is proud to be a hosting partner.

The technology: This is where ICS comes in. Professors Pinkovitz and Lewis offer “Building Communities” via live, interactive WisLine Web. The programs originate in the Pyle Center. The participants, however, are at home, their office, or a central meeting site. All they need to participate is a phone connection and a computer with an Internet connection. Simple and easy. Bill and Andy like to say: “Leave the driving to us….” That’s certainly how ICS approaches it, too. We mainly work behind the scenes so presenters and participants can focus on learning, teaching, and using the content, not fretting about technology. We don’t forget the human touch, though. Carol Hillman and Rich Berg are two of the friendly, helpful ICS folks who work with Andy, Bill, and the presenters to ensure a seamless experience.

The programs: To give you a flavor, here was the program line-up for 2004-2005:

* Assessing Your Community’s Technology Infrastructure

* The New Community Economic Development Preparedness Index

* 2005 Wisconsin Economic Update

* How to Identify and Engage Stakeholders and Power Actors

* Promote Your Community, Building Sites, and Buildings

* Using Labor Market Information to Understand Your Local Economy

* The Old Versus the New Economy

Previously-presented programs are archived. The next “Building Communities” line-up will be announced soon, but will be held on the third Friday of the month from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. October, 2005 to May, 2006 (skipping December)..

The presenters: The Center for Community Economic Development has had excellent support and engagement from a variety of partners. For the most recent series, they included:

* Al Anderson, Andy Lewis, and Bill Pinkovitz, Center for Community Economic Development

* Tom Asp, Bob Herbst, and Robin Liswoski, Virchow Krause and Co.

* Francine Horton, Department of Workforce Development

* Roger Nacker, Wisconsin Economic Development Institute

* Don Nichols, La Follette School of Public Affairs

The “distance” part of distance learning: Community, Natural Resources, and Economic Development (CNRED) faculty across the state are using “Building Communities” in creative ways. Kathleen Haas, CNRED educator in Columbia County, developed wrap-around educational programming which complements “Building Communities.” Mary Kohrell in Calumet County offered the series in conjunction with Outagamie and Winnebago Counties as well as the private sector firm of Martensen and Eisele. Mary and her colleagues hosted facilitated discussions after each program. She reports attendees liked the series because the programs “are conveniently located, simple to join, [have] solid content, and they have a chance to talk about the content afterwards. They like the technology.”

The synergy: Roger Nacker, President of the Wisconsin Economic Development Institute, believes synergy and collaboration are among the serendipitous outcomes of “Building Communities.” Roger thinks the connections and spin-offs “already are fantastic” with many more to come. He expresses his “delight with the whole process.”

For more information about “Building Communities,” please visit the CCED web site: www.uwex.edu/ces/cced or give Bill (608-265-8255) or Andy (608-263-1432) a call.

We plan to highlight other programs and presenters in future editions of the “ICS Newsletter.” We invite you to share your success stories with us.