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Building a better community
For Release (May 5, 2005) - It was called social entrepreneurism, civic engagement, social capital and volunteerism. Regardless of what it was called, the message was the same: community involvement matters. Nearly 200 individuals were on hand Thursday at the Four Points Sheraton for a day-long conference hosted by Community Builders, to talk about creating positive social change.
Karson Aubuchon of Princeton, who chairs Community Builders, a partnership between United Way of North Central Massachusetts and Mount Wachusett Community College to inspire volunteerism, said it will focus on three key areas to promote community involvement.
“We will continue to recognize community volunteers, provide tools, awareness and training to community organizations, and inform and engage new volunteers through conferences, a volunteer website and grants,” said Aubuchon.
In a question and answer session with local philanthropist Ronald M. Ansin of Harvard, Bill Drayton, one of the featured speakers, founder and CEO of Ashoka: Innovators for the Public, who has spent 25-years working to bring about systemic social change, shared the six characteristics of an entrepreneur, which were in stark contrast to conventional thinking.
Whether it was the willingness to self-correct, share credit with others, or work quietly, it was these and others qualities that Mary Gordon of Toronto, Canada and Amy Barzach of Bloomfield, Connecticut demonstrated to become Ashoka Fellows, which include more than 1500 individuals in 53 countries working on social issues.
Gordon shared with the audience her Roots of Empathy program which has been implemented in 133 Canadian schools to reduce childhood aggression. Barzach is working to create barrier-free playgrounds for children with disabilities through her Boundless Playgrounds program.
Michael Lundquist from The Polus Center in Worcester, which provides support to people with disabilities, Tim Cohen-Mitchell, the co-founder and executive director of the Young Entrepreneurs Society, Inc. based in Orange, along with Youth Venture representatives from Leominster Schools, all discussed how they were engaging the community and making positive social change.
After listening to a host of ideas to inspire community involvement in the morning, the audience brainstormed on the best way to engage the community. The ideas generated were shared with the goal of inspiring people to implement an idea they liked, whether it was at home, work, church or another nonprofit organization.
Daniel M. Asquino, president of Mount Wachusett Community College and chairman of United Way of North Central Massachusetts wrapped up the day by announcing the creation of an Entrepreneurial Studies Certificate program at Mount Wachusett Community College, which will also include courses specifically on Social Entrepreneurism.
Bemis Associates and Fidelity Bank were recognized with Community Builders awards for their community work along with Michael Lundquist from The Polus Center, Tim Cohen-Mitchell of Young Entrepreneurs Society, Inc and Leominster Youth Venture.
The event was hosted by Community Builders and its corporate underwriters which include Bemis Associates, Fitchburg Savings Bank, Norwood Fine Cabinetry and the Sterilite Corporation. The conference was sponsored by Hannaford Supermarkets, Unitil, Ashoka: Innovators for the Public and the Molly Bish Institute for Child Health and Safety at Mount Wachusett Community College.
Leave a lasting legacy, remember the United Way of North Central Massachusetts in your will or estate plan.
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