Program: Faribault’s Futures with Kymn Anderson - Faribault’s Futures is a leadership program built on the Blandon certified program of building leadership within a community with a focus on the aspects that promote the wellness of a positive community through civic engagement. The program uses tools from The Blandon Foundation - promoting and advocating for ideas and people to inspire resourcefulness and move rural places forward. It also uses tools from Gallop - Clifton Strengths to help grow leadership through self-awareness and self-development. Combined together, these tools allow participants to learn about their community, and group as civic leaders within themselves. Faribault’s Futures origin came from an economic summit held in 1995. Folks at the summit noticed they were always only seeing the same people at events as intriguing as an economic summit. With great thoughtfulness and reliability (virtue of the week!) a dedicated team of 12 community members founded the program in 1998. Knowing they needed the support of a viable partner, in 1999 the Faribault Chamber of Commerce stepped in and took on the annual class to grow civic community leaders. The program which is once a month, in person. Focus on the 9 areas that build a health community. The 9 areas of focus are: Environmental Stewardship, Services & Infrastructure, Safety & Security, Community Leadership, Economic Opportunity, Spirituality & Wellbeing, Life-Long Learning, Inclusion, Recreational & Artistic Opportunities. Each month members of this program focused on one of these parts, visiting many places in Faribault to learn about how are community is providing these aspects or how Faribault can improve on aspects to grow as a community. Some of the stops this last year include. Buckham West, RBNC, Jenni-O, and a city bus tour by the mayor. Each Faribault’s Future class constructs a group project for the community to benefit from. The original class of 1998 created the Faribault Foundation. Other projects include: Pollinator Garden at Buckham Center, Water Safety Exhibit at Safe Summer Kick-off, Career mentorship, business display and assistance at a high school career fair sponsored by the Chamber, Video Testimonials for Faribault’s Future Program. Multi-Lingual backdrop banner for promoting Faribault, and so many more. This leadership program has touched 564 inspiring community members since 1998. The ability to learn about yourself in a group setting with other community members with a drive to do good around them in their community is powerful with the tools that Faribault’s Futures deploys creating a strong community through knowledge of what makes a place healthy and strong. To prosper personally, and civically for a lifetime. Faribault’s Future is taking applications for the upcoming class of 2026/27! Please contact the Chamber of Commerce for more information. |
