This session will provide participants with an introduction to Huntington’s “Renaissance” including some real life examples of social change, community revitalization, municipal and collaborative partnerships; all strong forces in making a positive and collective impact in our city . Present-day Huntington is in the process of rapid transformation with a focus on expanding and capitalizing on its diversified economy, low cost of living and rich infrastructure of education, healthcare, arts and culture, recreation and community well-being and livability. Participants will learn about some of the resources and strategies at hand in creating a “real-life” revival in their communities. These strategies will be framed through examples of partnerships and short-term implementation practices to bring community engagement and revitalization to the forefront.
Orienting the session to the conference themes.
Brian Hoey is an associate professor of anthropology in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Marshall University. His ethnographic research explores social, cultural, and personal impacts of economic restructuring through the lens of migration and community development. In addition to his work in the United States and Indonesia on the role of place attachment and displacement in the construction of individual and group identity, Hoey has longstanding interests in a broad range of environmental factors that may positively or negatively affect physical and psychological health at the individual and collective levels. Hoey has published widely on these topics including a recent book Opting for Elsewhere: Lifestyle Migration in the American Middle Class.
Bruce Decker is the founder and owner of Collective Impact, LLC, a capacity building consulting firm with a focus on helping organizations and communities achieve their mission and thrive. Decker has a unique and varied background of education and professional experience and has worked with a broad range of clients at the local, regional, and state levels in numerous urban, rural and economically distressed communities in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and West Virginia. Decker has extensive knowledge and expertise working with non-profit organizations, government agencies, municipalities, counties, states, faith-based entities, ministries, entrepreneurs, foundations, networks, associations, systems, collaborative groups and multidisciplinary teams. He serves clients tackling issues in numerous fields, including early childhood development, family support, human services, youth development, health, education, affordable housing, seniors/aging, community economic development, city planning/revitalization, child welfare, mental/behavioral health, addiction, problem gambling, law enforcement/criminal justice, transportation, arts and culture, recreation and others. He is currently Board Chair with Create Huntington, Inc., a grassroots organization that empowers residents to make positive change in their community. Decker received his Bachelor of Arts in Education with a dual concentration in Marketing Education and Social Studies and a specialized certification in Diversified Cooperative Training from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. He received his Master of Arts in Communication Studies with an emphasis in Organizational and Intercultural Communication and Leadership Studies from Marshall University as well.
Breanna Shell is the Planner for the City of Huntington in the Department of Development and Planning. Breanna graduated in 2011 from the University of Michigan Master in Urban Planning program and has been with the City Planning department since Summer 2012, after first working as an intern. Breanna took the lead on an in-house revision to the City’s comprehensive Plan update, Plan2025, which began in the summer of 2011 and concluded with a unanimous approval by the Planning Commission and City Council in December of 2013. In addition, Breanna enforces the zoning ordinance, provides administrative assistance to the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals and participates in several community supported projects. Currently she is active in comprehensive community revitalization efforts in West Huntington with the River to Rail project; a targeted campaign to increase the supply of mid-range quality housing; and redevelopment efforts along a major corridor into the city. In addition, the Planning office is continually working on revising the City’s zoning ordinance to be more in line with the city’s Comprehensive Plan update, Plan2025.
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/brian_hoey/25/