Organizational and individual reputations

Impact of reputations

In rural communities, reputations can really impact progress. When organizations have good reputations, people are more likely to trust them and want to work with them. When organizations have a poor reputation, especially when it comes to upholding IL values, it can be difficult to know how to work together. As an example of an organization with a poor reputation, Ashlei shared that the local hospital has a very poor reputation. Through a grant-funded CIL partnership with the hospital and a faith-based organization, they have been able to host a diabetes wellness group at the hospital and change the reputation of the hospital to be one of a site of education and nutrition wellness courses.

IL values

One strategy, which may emerge organically, is to work first with organizations that are more aligned with IL values and then model these values for other organizations. You can do this by using person-first language, ensuring and celebrating accessibility features for all, and continuing to meet people where they are in the process.

Creating space

Think about building a big tent so that everyone can participate and can also create enough space between folks who may not want to work closely together. Remember, everyone does not need to love each other! They just need space to work together on a common issue.