Generation Next creating agents of change in QC

If comments from the first cohort of the Generation Next program are any indication, it won’t be long to see new names stepping forward to embrace wider roles in the civic life of the Quad Cities.

That’s one of the goals of the program offered by the Quad Cities Chamber. Applications are now being taken for the second cohort of up to 40 participants who will begin their journey in January to learn more about getting involved in the QC community through board and committee service.

James Porter, Vice President, Talent & Inclusion for the Quad Cities Chamber, said the program is crucial for young professionals in the Quad Cities “because it not only helps them understand the opportunities available to become more active citizens and connect with the community through volunteering and civic engagement. It also motivates and equips them to become agents of change in the community.”

Jennie White, grantmaking assistant with the Quad Cities Community Foundation, is a graduate of the first cohort. She said the program “aligned with the connection I felt I wanted to get.” White, 27, a Moline native, said the four sessions of the program – Community Engagement, Local Government, Board Service and Get Involved – offered much information about how to be more engaged as well as explaining the “interconnectedness of the region.”

“We are a region as much as individual cities,” she said. “We find common ground in our similarities.” A graduate of Black Hawk College and Bradley University, White said she received a better understanding of how a community is built by leveraging the skills and ideas of its citizens. And there was encouragement that “community leadership and community support is going to come from the generation I’m a part of,” she said. “We will take that leadership and grow.”

Porter said there is a need to increase diversity in the local boards and office seats in the Quad Cities. “Additionally, there was a lack of training for individuals who are looking to be appointed to those positions,” he said. “The Generation Next program was initiated to train young to mid-career professionals who are interested in engaging with the community through civic engagement, board service, and local office.”

White said the training even included a session on Robert’s Rules of Order and how to approach handling contentious situations on a board. “It’s hard to say how you’d react to those situations – the fear that you could be wrong or just not know what is the best way to approach a problem,” she added. “It’s also understanding that it’s not only you, but you are working with other members of the board. You’re working in the best interests for the community.”

Another member of the Next Generation first cohort, Ragan Baker, is an academic adviser with Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. The Davenport native, 29, said she was impressed with the knowledge of the guest speakers and appreciated the time they took from their own jobs to meet with the class. “I took 60 pages of notes!” she said. “They had great insight to share and were so inspiring. They wanted the next generation to get involved and were willing to share their experience and knowledge. I walked away with something every time I came to a session.”

After graduating from Iowa State University, Baker said she felt like she wanted to join a board or commission in her hometown. The Generation Next program has given her the tools to pursue that goal. She advises others in her generation: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions. That’s how you grow and learn. You have an opportunity to be in front of people who have great knowledge to share.”

The networking that occurred among participants was “really important, as we all come from different backgrounds.” As a Black woman, she said, “I felt good about being in that space. It was such a safe space to share.”

Networking also was an important aspect of the program for Justin Hoerner, project manager at Bruce Builders, who said Generation Next was “right up my alley.”

“I’m big into personal development and continuing to learn as much as possible,” said the Eldridge native, 27. Hoerner said he enjoyed listening to city officials from a number of QC communities explain what their roles are.

“It’s crazy to hear how each city has a different approach to growing their city, which feeds into the overall Quad Cities,” he said. “All of these places have goals they are individually trying to achieve to make the whole Quad Cities better.” The graduate of the University of Northern Iowa said he plans to continue “working toward helping my community, my school district and the QC itself.”

All three members of the Generation Next program who were interviewed said they would recommend others in their generation consider applying.

“It’s investing in yourself,” White said. “It’s so important to realize that as part of a younger generation, we have the autonomy to step up and put ourselves on the path to eventually be there. We shouldn’t hinder ourselves.”

Porter said during the program’s first experience, “we gained knowledge regarding speaker diversity and the importance of accommodating individuals with both visible and hidden disabilities. We also learned the significance of creating a sense of community within the program and providing opportunities for participants to engage with each other, enabling them to establish meaningful connections that extend beyond the end of the program.”

The deadline to apply for the second cohort is Dec. 8. Apply now.