“They is Us” is the title of the summary report from Discuss Door County, our county-wide conversation about growing older in our community. If you’d like a copy of the report for yourself, a handful to share with your friends and neighbors, or an entire case to put out at your place of business, please pick up your free supply at the Door County Community Foundation, located at 222 N 3rd Ave in Sturgeon Bay.
Discuss Door County: A Conversation about Growing Older in Door County
From the people who live here to the place itself, there’s so much we love about Door County. Yet our aging population and changing demographics now confront us with an uncertain tomorrow. We believe that the best way to predict our future is to create it for ourselves. “They is Us” summarizes the common themes we heard in conversations with literally hundreds of full-time and seasonal residents. From Washington Island through Sturgeon Bay and into Southern Door County. From our wealthiest families to struggling individuals. We had a conversation with folks from virtually every part of our community.
This was NOT a strategic planning process. It wasn’t an effort to define a work plan to achieve a predetermined goal. Nor was it an attempt to convince the community of the righteousness of a particular course of action. This was a genuine opportunity for the people of our community to come together and talk about what we want for Door County as we grow older.
Eventually, we hope that many different organizations and citizen groups will develop their own strategic plans, each working to realize that part of our shared vision which most resonates with them. Yet that future work draws its power and legitimacy by being deeply rooted in our shared aspirations for Door County.
If you’d like additional free copies of “They is Us” – be it a handful to share with your neighbors or an entire case to distribute in your place of business – stop by the Community Foundation at 222 N 3rd Ave in downtown Sturgeon Bay (by the Old Bell Tower).
What is Discuss Door County?
Discuss Door County is the banner under which the Door County Community Foundation listens to the community.
Growing numbers of community foundations of all sizes are taking unprecedented leaps into the leadership breach, developing and using their knowledge, networks, reputation, ability to contribute and leverage resources, and growing political acumen to drive change in their communities. Foundations across the country are harnessing the collective influence and access of their boards, donors, volunteers, grantees, partners, and professional staff to tackle persistent problems that defy simple solutions.
Among the most important qualities that the Door County Community Foundation can cultivate is curiosity about the community we serve. Among the most important skills we can develop is the ability to forge consensus. Community leadership issues often require understanding and skills beyond our ken. Whether by commissioning studies, creating indicators projects, conducting stakeholder interviews and focus groups, or convening all of the known organizations and entities that deal with a particular issue, the Community Foundation is acquiring a deep understanding about our community. We also recognize that expertise comes in many forms and includes the practical knowledge gained by people whose daily lives are affected by the issue being addressed.
The Community Foundation is mindful of the privileged position we occupy thanks to the remarkable generosity of the people of Door County. We fully recognize our obligation to attend to the well-being of the entire community. We understand that our endowment funds afford us the luxury of the long view in a society with a short attention span.
Our Board of Directors has set forth a directive wherein the Door County Community Foundation aims to become the nexus where the energy, talent, ideas, and resources of those who care passionately about our community converge to meet the opportunities and challenges facing Door County.
To learn more, contact us at the Door County Community Foundation. We hope you’ll join us on this journey.
