Who's at your table?

When I was growing up in Wilmington, Thanksgivings at our house were wild, rollicking events. There was our core – my sisters, my parents. Then there was a meandering set of extended family – sometimes four generations. And then, every year, my father would throw into the mix a few complete strangers. We’d run out of room at the dining room table and splay out into the front hall, ending up with three or four tables clumped by age.

We get strength and comfort from those who are closest to us. We need the hugs and the familiarity and the predictability that comes from eating our favorite foods and hanging with our closest family.

But we grow and learn by being around people who are different from us, who see the world completely differently. We need them too.

Join us on February 10, 2020, in Raleigh for our fourth forum in the ReCONNECT NC series, ReCONNECT to Technological Opportunity.

At the forum, participants will explore what their communities can do to leverage high speed Internet in an equitable way. We will start the day by entering a “time machine” to the future, to a time when everyone has access to broadband. We will hear how both rural and urban communities are using broadband for economic growth. We encourage community teams to come together, learn national and local best practices, and help design a plan for their community throughout the day.

Register before December 6 and receive the early bird rate!

IEI is excited to announce our ReCONNECT to Technological Opportunity community cohort: Charlotte Digital Inclusion Alliance, City of Wilson and RIoT, Digital Durham, Land of Sky Regional Council/WestNGN Broadband Initiative, and Wilkes Community College.

We chose five diverse initiatives each actively working to leverage high speed broadband for economic growth and community improvement.

IEI is pleased to announce the appointments of Mark Fleming and Maurice Smith to its National Advisory Board.

“Maurice and Mark have long track records of service and commitment to North Carolina and a deep knowledge of the biggest issues facing our state and how to move them,” said IEI Director Leslie Boney. “They’re exactly the sorts of folks we need on our National Advisory Board as we work to reconnect our state."

Apply now to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA! Service Year NC is currently highlighting three open positions:

Institute for Emerging Issues

United Way of Pitt County

Forward Cities: a national nonprofit working to close the wealth gap by connecting and collaborating with entrepreneurial support organizations across the U.S. VISTA will assist with marketing and communications content creation. Looking for a creative professional with excellent written and verbal communication skills. To apply, send a resume and cover letter to Maggie Woods at mjwoods2@ncsu.edu with the subject line “Forward Cities VISTA.”

In November, IEI hosted over 50 leaders in Peer Networks on topics that faith leaders recommended to us. We introduced two new networks based on feedback from clergy and laity—Rural Housing and Rural Stewardship.

We hear over and over again that the lack of safe, close, and affordable housing in rural areas makes it hard or impossible for some residents to remain and for others to move to an area. Churches also want to know how to raise money for important projects and causes, especially with smaller congregations where finances are already fragile. We’re grateful to our faith leaders for opening up about their struggles and opportunities in addressing rural housing and fundraising.

Want to be part of our next set of webinars in 2020? Sign up for IEI’s rural faith newsletter here.

We here at IEI wish you a very happy Thanksgiving. In the spirit of the holiday, we want to say we’re thankful for YOU!

We’re grateful for all you do to help build a stronger, reconnected, prosperous North Carolina.

ReCONNECT to Technological Opportunity
Monday, February 10, 2020
McKimmon Conference and Training Center, Raleigh

Registration is open! Early bird rate ends December 6.
Click here to learn more

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Rural Works! Program
NC State's Rural Works! summer internship program connects employers in rural communities with talented NC State students. Rural Works! welcomes private, public, government, and non-profit organizations in rural communities to host an intern for summer 2020.
Click here to learn more