Where do we fit?

Even as we move to diagnose our community needs, interest and readiness to engage our citizens, we must recognize that our community’s needs will not necessarily match up with or even be complementary to, those of the KS Health Foundation. Those communities desperate for economic development and energy are currently supporting the building of a coal-fired plant to generate much needed revenue from the sale of electricity to local industry and neighboring states, at the cost of dramatically increased carbon dioxide and other polluting emissions. Not necessarily a project with a focus on healthy Kansans…but undoubtedly a project which can benefit communities in the region.

What might be the role of CLP’s (Community Leadership Programs) in this instance? What is our intervention? Can we or should we provide leadership training/consensus building training to participants on each side of the issue? Should we facilitate community discussions on the issue? Can we be a resource for balanced, scientific information, in partnership with the Health Foundation? Are we a neutral convener?