Empower Brandon listening sessions continue

Have YOU attended an Empower Brandon listening session yet?

If not, there’s still time leading up to the Sunday, April 28 Community Gathering.

A group of 20 volunteers – recognized as the Empower Brandon core team – are currently conducting listening sessions at a variety of locations. And there are more to be scheduled. 

Seven planned sessions include Sundays, March 24 and 31 at Faith United Church, following worship services at approximately 10:20 a.m.; at the Brandon Community Library from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, 10:30-11:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.-noon on Saturdays, March 30 and April 6, and at noon Wednesday and Thursday, April 3 and 4 at the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce.

Empower Brandon listening sessions should take no more than 30 minutes. During this time, participants will be asked for their responses to the following three questions:

1.) What do you love about the community of Brandon? 

2.) What would like to see for Brandon moving forward?

3.) How do people and organizations need to think differently to make this possible? 

The trio of questions are being posed in a uniform way to get as many voices into the community strategic planning process, which in turn will fuel discussions at the April 28 Community Gathering.

In the few listening sessions core team volunteer Tim Jorgenson has held, he said he’s witnessed “enthusiasm” from listening session participants. “And when it comes down to it, people are surprised that it’s easy,” he said.

The community has invested two years into the Empower Brandon program. Community coach John Beranek has been working with the core team since September, guiding them through the process leading up to next month’s Community Gathering. At that point, every member of the community will be encouraged to get involved.

“This is really economic development, and it is all of our jobs,” Beranek said. “We want the community to find a new way to solve problems, and not just quick-fixes.”

The process, Beranek explained, is a way to make changes in the community at a grassroot level. 

“Leaders run up against a hurdle when people feel their voices are not being heard and when we provide an opportunity for people to not only share their voice, but share their innovative thinking or their outside of the box thinking, that’s when true change begins to happen,” he said.

Every single response to each of the three questions asked at listening sessions will be recorded on colored sticky notes, which will be posted on the walls of the high school commons at the April 28 community gathering.

“If you think there’s something that needs to happen in your community, show up to put your voice to that and better yet, show up to be part of the exploration,” Beranek encouraged. “Or if you want to find out more what other people think, then come to the gathering, because that’s where the real conversation is going to happen.”

The April 28 event will offer a complimentary meal and child care will be provided free of charge, too.

To learn more or schedule a listening session, contact any one of the 20 core team volunteers: Amanda Barton, Barb Fish, Brian Wills, Bryan Read, Cary Schroeder, Cheryl Leasure, Dr. Jarod Larson, Chris Brown, Christina Smith, Chuck Parsons, Dave Kull, Kim Cerwick, Jill Meier, Jacob Frantzen, Sierra Rima, Leigh Zirbel, Stacy Wickersham, Gail Harris, Tami Jansma, Sedric Barton and Tim Jorgenson.