Frankenmuth

I was only at this job for a few months, when someone asked me – "If you could complete one project, what is it that the people who live in Frankenmuth want the most?" And I was dumbfounded. That's really not a hard question – but I had no idea how to answer. It's something I've thought about ever since. What really matters the most to us? Working cooperatively with the Frankenmuth School District, the Chamber of Commerce and the Frankenmuth Community Foundation, we're going to try to figure out what matters most. The City has officially committed to the Orton Family Foundation's Community Heart & Soul ® initiative. The Orton Family Foundation's goal is to build stronger, healthier, and more vibrant communities. Community Heart & Soul is a two-year initiative which focuses on community development. This two- year process is designed to not only engage residents to find out what matters most, but to change the way in which residents interact with the City, other local agencies like the Schools and the Chamber & CVB, and each other. Working together to discover what matters most will help to build a roadmap for future decision-making that will help to enhance and preserve what the community loves about Frankenmuth. There are four phases of Community Heart and Soul. The first phase of the Community Heart and Soul process focuses on laying the groundwork. The purpose of this phase is to build a solid foundation by identifying partners and leaders, spreading the word, and developing a road map for community engagement. Phase Two focuses on exploring the community. This phase begins by working with residents to gather their individual stories and build relationships across divides. This phase uses those stories to identify what matters most to people about their community, which leads to the creation of Heart and Soul Statements. The third phase uses those Heart and Soul Statements to make decisions based off of what matters most to everyone. This phase helps to develop options for the future that will help enhance and preserve the community's "Heart & Soul." The fourth, and final, phase of the Heart and Soul initiative focuses on taking action. Using the Heart and Soul Statements, residents and partners work together to apply those statements to future decision- making by weaving them into the fabric of the community. Over the course of the next few months, you're going to hear about opportunities to get involved in helping us figure out what matters most. The initial kick off event will take place on Thursday, January 23rd at 6pm in the Frankenmuth High School Cafeteria. About Orton Family Foundation: Orton Family Foundation is focused on building stronger, healthier and more economically vibrant towns and small cities across America. Founded in Vermont in 1995, the foundation devoted more than a decade to working with towns to create a community development model that helps build trust and empowers residents to shape the future of their communities. Community Heart & Soul projects are underway across the country creating positive change that is resident-driven and recognizes the value in the unique character of each place and the emotional connection of the people who live there. Heart & Soul A Community Initiative By Bridget Smith, City Manager of Frankenmuth If you're interested in hearing more about this project or want to find a way to get more involved, please contact me at bsmith@frankenmuthcity.com 6

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