Collaborative Corner On The Move

By Jeannie Pederson, Pope County Family Collaborative Coordinator

What do you do with an idea? is a title of a book by Kobi Yamada I recently previewed. It was written by the same author who wrote the book, Maybe ~ a story about the endless potential in all of us. One of my favorite experiences is having an idea arise within one’s self and shared with one’s family, friends, coworkers or in any setting.  Witnessing the excitement of a new idea build into the best it can with input from others is exhilarating.

Next year, Wonderful Wednesdays through the EC (Early Childhood)/THRIVE Initiative, will have provided unique learning opportunities for children, their parents and/or caregivers for twenty years. At the time, it was just one of many projects and a few years later the Traveling Tree House became the actual vehicle for delivering the same but with a visible twist as a mobile learning center. A BCBS Growing Up Healthy Kids and Committees grant helped members dream of what could be and now through ECI (Early Childhood Initiative) grants from West Central Initiative, those efforts continue to this day.

You may have heard that BeKind is celebrating their 5th anniversary. I have often said that Margaret Pederson is one of the best when it comes to sharing creative ideas. So far, our most challenging project was the marigold seed distribution. In the book, about what to do with an idea, it suggests that sometimes they can seem different or daring. When members heard the number of residents that we would be reaching out to, I don’t think I was alone in thinking, wow, could we do it? However, conversations quickly turned to what we could do to make it happen. Through comments from Pope County community members, we soon realized what it meant for them to have us connect in this way.

I’ve shared two examples of group ideas that took off. It led me to think about all those who have come together with a shared vision to benefit our community. It’s made me appreciate even more the work that goes into every single project as we realize our own endless potential.

It’s a good thing that makes Pope County great!