Visioning 2026 Blog

Going Green -- One Change a Day -- Leadership Norfolk Transformational Learning Process Project

How can you change your community one change a day? A Leadership Norfolk Process Project group came up with numerous examples of how the community can go green through Recycle, Reuse, and Reduce steps. Read in more detail their Going Green -- One Change a Day presentation (PDF 1.3MB)

The group's key steps in helping the community influence change was through a "clear, consistent, and convenient" message. For example, make it clear what can be recycled, make it consistent, i.e., what are your hours of operations, make it convenient to drop items off at recycling centers. Their bottom line--Make it a Life Style Change!

Marketing was an important feature of impacting change in the community, for example, fun websites for kids, a Green Gym, construction material for Habitat for Humanity, implementing a Sustainable Advisory Board, establishing a Earth Day Parade and a celebration in the park. The community leadership should challenge local businesses to help with the cultural life style changes to include:

    * Institute a Green Club Card

    * Promote Greener Packaging

    * Identify Green Products in Stores

    * Make Reusable Bags Available

    * Buy from Local Sources

    * Recycle Waste

    * Promote Energy Efficiency in Buildings

They used a YouTube video to share how Recycle Bank is being implemented in communities such as Elkhorn, NE. Customers are receiving recycling credits through RFID, wireless, and GPS technologies while communities are reducing their landfill costs.

Solar Power Impacts and Recommendations for Norfolk, NE -- Transformational Learning Process Project Presentation

One of three 2007-2008 Leadership Norfolk process project groups investigated the solar power trend and the potential future impact to Norfolk, Nebraska and the surrounding Northeast Nebraska communities.

Read their 26 page report on Solar Power, The Key to Solving Our Current Energy Crisis. (PDF 1.3MB)

Technology is quickly making solar power a more economic and feasible enery source. The three technologies, Passive Solar, Active Solar Heating, and Solar PV (Photovoltaic) Systems along with an aging and under capacity nationwide electrical grid will support change to more a local and decentralized electrical generation and distribution system in the future. Their presentation stated, "The use of solar power can ease the pressures on our overtaxed power grid. Solar power is a “distributed generation” energy source, meaning electricity is produced at or close to the source of consumption. This reduces the distance electricity must travel to get to the end user. Excess power can be feed back into the grid."

They reported a potentially very substantial technology breakthrough that will increase the effeciency of photovoltaic systems by using a paper thin material that absorbs 99.95% of the light that strikes it.

Also stated in the report was a reference to California Green Industry and the City of Berkeley paying for the upfront costs for a resident’s solar installation and recoup the money over 20 years through additional property taxes on a resident’s home. This would be similar to a tax increment financing model that would be applicable to individuals as well as for economic development purposes.

The process group provided how the future impacts of solar technology can be applied to Norfolk, NE.

    * Transformational learning will help us develop these resources faster.  We can introduce to the City of Norfolk communities already implementing such changes, and learn from any challenges they face and the obstacles they overcome.  It may help people in our community if they can be shown actual energy cost savings.

    * The North Fork River Development project could build “green” buildings that incorporate solar panels.  Perhaps a recycling center and informational center about being better stewards of our community and of the planet could be incorporated. 

    * The Water Park, whose peak operating times would naturally coincide with sunny periods, would be an obvious candidate for the use of solar power.  Solar power could help save the Water Park in energy costs and the energy it doesn’t use (during the off-season), could be sold back to the utility company. 

From an community education perspective the group stated, "If possible, it would be beneficial to focus a part of the semester on renewable energy and incorporate into the curriculum information about fossil fuels, ethanol, nuclear power, wind energy, and solar energy."

Numerous organizations were indentified that could help generate more community awareness and pilot projects.

    * City Council – Will need to win the hearts of the council and is the first step in trying to bring the concept of solar power to a reality.

    * CLIC (Chamber's young professional group) – This group’s involvement with the younger generation can help spread the word of this great concept of bringing solar energy to the community.

    * Chamber of Commerce –The Chamber can encourage the business community to adopt solar energy.

    * Neighbor Works – Perhaps this organization could have few solar homes.

    * Local Habitat for Humanity Groups – Perhaps they could build one or more solar homes.

    * Northeast Nebraska Economic Development – Could help provide grants or assistance in receiving rebates that Nebraska has for going “green” or using alternative energy. http://www.neo.ne.gov/loan/

    * Northeast Community College – The College has a good history of working with the community.  Possibly the Building Construction program could assist in building some solar homes and use new technology to be environmentally friendly.

    * Norfolk Area Home Builders Association – This association could encourage their customers to consider solar energy.  Information could be provided to area contractors through this entity.

Generations X and Y Impact on Norfolk -- Leadership Norfolk Process Project Report

A 2007-2008 Leadership Norfolk group process project highlighted the trend of the Generation X and Y and the associated impact and how we can take advantage of this opportunity in the Norfolk area.

Read their Visioning 2026 "Trend 45: Generation X and the Millennials will have a major effect in the future.", (PDF 2.3MB), report presented to the class participants and instructors.

They found a YouTube 7 minute presentation, Millenial Generation that does an good job of explaining more about this trend and the impact to the community.

Their explanation of who this generation is, Xers born 1965-1982, Millennials born 1982-2000, provided insight on what life events define them, the workforce and how employers go wrong, and how to prepare for them. They went into depth on how the Norfolk area can prepare for them to include do's and don'ts, how they have incorporated technology into their life style, their outlook on retirement and what that means for the future for employers, product and service provideres and themselves.

The process project group provide the following recommendations for our community can prepare for them:

    * Build & equip large senior center or recreation center for your retired population to enjoy.

    * Grocery Stores & Pharmacies will need to expand online services to accommodate orders and delivery of products

    * Organize retirement “communities” that include housing, nursing care, post office, grocery store, exercise center & recreational opportunities for the aging population. Allow members of the “community” to be employed at these businesses so those who want to work can do so.

    * Put an emphasis on constructing recreational facilities right now, so this age group chooses to stay in Norfolk to finish their careers and retire in the area. If they do not see this, they will not stick around during retirement.

    * Encourage Northeast Community College to offer classes/degrees that are focused on entrepreneurship and starting second or even third careers, as this will be a trend among aging Gen X & Y.

They went on to recommend what employers need to consider for the future:

    * Offer a policy of a midlife sabbatical that gives people in their 50s several years off from work: a time “to figure out what to do with the rest of your life.”

    * Offer classes or additional training on entrepreneurship, which will be of increasing importance.

    * Offer exceptional 401K option as retirement for young employees may last 30-40 years as life spans increase.

* BE FLEXIBLE!! Your employees may opt to take several mini-retirements to travel or enjoy watching their children grow.

They closed their presentation with some thought provoking concepts.

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