Today, let’s talk about retaining young talent in our community. So many of our students graduate from high school/college and begin their careers elsewhere. Ryan says we are three times more likely to keep our young talent if they feel their voices are heard and valued (pg 55). What are the avenues for this in our community? (Trevor, you mentioned you live in
Is this a trait that we nurture and encourage in our students? Could we do something in school that could make our students voices more valued as they learn so they begin to feel that they can be “heard” in our workplaces and community, too?
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There are several things going on in Chattanooga that I really think are great in this repect. The art scene is especially driving the force to hear young voices. There are several gallery spaces that meet regularly with the sole purpose of exchanging fresh ideas eith one another. We have regular art shows that exhibit strictly up and coming young talent. Our public sculpture is now, for the most part, voted on by the public. Many forums are held to discuss the state of the arts in Chattanooga, and everyone is invited to attend, not just artists. We now have annual gallery hops where people can mingle and meet.
ReplyDeleteWe also have so many venues where songwriters and musicians, and poets can perform. This is a way these people can have their voices heard. I'm focusing mainly on the arts because it is what I know best. It is also an area that the city has consciously targeted to recruit young talent. I have watched this aspect grow from nothing to something great over the years. But I think these tactics can be applied to other areas of interest too, and in any city.
One of the things that Ryan wrote about in her book that struck me as kind of sad, is the fact that service clubs, like Rotary, Elks, Lions, etc. are not able to attract new young members. Young professionals often feel the "status quo" is set in concrete and their is no way to break in. In my twenties, I was a Jaycee and that was a great way to get involved in the community and have a voice. Unfortunately, I don't think Dalton has a chapter of the Jaycees. ( I could be wrong though, since I haven't been involved in it for years! Shame on me.) I was thinking though, why wouldn't it be possible for our junior and seniors in high school to belong to a similar organization (or create one for that matter) that is attached through our chamber of commerce? It would be a great way to network, find out how local government and communities work and a terrific way for young people to give input and fresh ideas into our community planning. If we really want our young people to return after college, we need to know what they want in order to make that happen. If you want to think outside the box, ask somebody who hasn't been put in the box yet!
ReplyDeleteNicely said Nancy, "If you want to think outside the box, ask somebody who hasn't been put in the box yet!"
ReplyDeleteI, too, wonder why "adults" are the ones who so frequently seek to create something for the younger generation to make them feel welcomed.
I think we often ask the wrong people what to do for our young people. We treat young people as if they are only the future of our communities, when in fact they are also a very real present to our communities.
I think schools are the perfect place to lead the way in getting the collective student voice heard. The great thing now is that we don't have to rely on just a sampling of students...we can hear from all of them through this type of tool. However, as one Web 2.0 leader has said, "Don't ask questions until you are sure you are ready for EVERYONE to answer."
I really would like to know what young people ages 13-19 would like to see in regards to a "third place" for them. Would it be the same as the 40-55 demographic? Is it possible to create a single "third place" for a community, or does it require several places with the same mission? If there are several, wouldn't some want to try to organize the spontaneity out of the concept? Hmmm. [scratching head]
Interesting - maybe.
ReplyDeleteNews Channel 9 just posted a story entitled "What Kids Want in Chattanooga."
Here's the link.
I've enjoyed reading everyone's comments and think Ryan's statement about being three times more likely to keep our young talent if they feel their voices are heard and valued (pg 55) is very thought provoking, in part because I believe there are so many levels of complexity within this statement. The environment, the economy, and technology are three things that I immediately think of that are changing our world in ways I can not even grasp.
ReplyDeletePeople are beginning to have vegetable gardens again; just like my grandmother and grandfather did….but the rationale behind the increased gardens is quite varied. Some people want organic food, food that hasn't been sprayed with harmful chemicals...and as we have been reading in the local paper, some even want to have their own chickens, in order to have fresh eggs! But for others, it could simply be a way to save money, to get by on less.
The Millennials have wonderful characteristics. I speak in part from personal experience because my daughter is 21, and from reading the current literature about Millennials in the workplace. Everything that I’ve read about Millennials characterize my daughter and her friends, better than I could have ever articulated, which is pretty amazing to me! Millennials are confident (in part because they were raised by parents who believe in the importance of self-esteem). They are hopeful, they believe in the future and their role in it. They are goal and achievement oriented. They are civic-minded. They were taught to think of the greater good and have a servant heart. They have a high rate of volunteerism. If you were at DHS graduation, you heard Debbie Freeman share the large number of volunteer hours for the 2009 senior class. Millennials are inclusive, they make certain no one is left behind and they expect to earn a living in a workplace that is fair to all.
I think Millennials, our young talent, may stay, in part due to the economy. And if they do, our challenge will then be keeping them. Making sure that they are provided opportunities as Nancy mentioned, to members of civic organizations, will be important. If they are goal and achievement oriented, involving them in setting the goals for the community in the visioning process will be critical. How can we accomplish this? I don’t know the answer, but I think we can start by making sure they are at the table during the discussions. It’s our responsibility to be sure they are represented. Perhaps insisting that each member of the visioning team be required to select at least one young person to attend and serve side-by-side on the committee as a role-reversal mentor could be a beginning.
I couldn't wait to get home and look up some of the sites relating to starting a Young Professionals organization in our town. I went to the website: ypcommons.org It took me to: http://nextgenerationconsulting.com/next-leaders/ypo-detail/united-way-young-leaders-society-of-nwga
ReplyDeleteThis is the Dalton group. I was disappointed to see that it was for people 40 years old and younger. I wonder if there is a place for the 40-50 year olds who want to see a change in our community? Does anyone know?
Another link. From June 23, 2009 USA Today article entitled "Recession generation? Young adults brace for a simpler lifestyle."
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