03/06/2026
🌱Last night I had the privilege to sit in on a community meeting , lead by Jason with Community Foundations of Greater Dubuque.
It was open to the public and initiated by the Guttenberg Chamber of Commerce. There was about 20 of us present.
Jason spoke of an opportunity for small towns called Heart & Soul. Started by a gentleman in Vermont, looking to help small towns to connect on what their strength & challenges are. To inspire connection within groups within a community to work toward common goals.
Other communities surrounding us have taken part of this program including McGregor, Postville, Cascade and more.
The goals set in motion are personal to each community & are to represent our community as a whole. To play the long game -to help our community to thrive & create a future collectively.
A few key points to paint a picture literally of what this looks like:
- an initial group to fill out application for a Seed Grant from Heart & Soul (This was set in motion last night)
-Next, build a collective Core Group of about 15 to be connected & represent all avenues of our community.
-Look to hire a Project Manager - paid position (about 10-15 hrs/week) that is funded by Seed Grant & $10,000 Matching funds required for the Grant. Project Manager works with Core Group & Coached/Supported by Jason to keep on track & connect to resources available.
-Then we get curious…?
Together the Project Manager + Core Group of 15 , we gather feedback from our community needs, gaps & desires.
Connect with support sub-groups/established groups to help address said needs/desires.
-Get Clearer on our goals as a community- working with the groups already present, we get on same page, get inspired, connect, and build in the same direction- whatever the community decides that is.
-Then Roll up our sleeves, communicate and work together to achieve goals set in place.
🌱Looking to get involved, don’t feel represented or supported in our community- here is an opportunity to be a piece pulling us all together.
This may be a temporary committee or a new branch of community support, depends on the goals set.
With living in Guttenberg for 18 years, being a transplant Community member (from Des Moines area), a Mother of teenagers, a Small Business Owner for 13 years, and served on Park Board & Guttenberg Chamber of Commerce for a collective 6 years, and active on the Community Helping Hand Board for the Family Resource Center…
I hope to represent & include all I can - count me in… I am part of the initial group to put it all in motion and be one of the 15 to have a seat at the table.
Interested in the conversation- feel free to reach out to me, Sadie Hefel…
In the meantime:
1-What do you LOVE about Guttenberg ?
2-What would make Guttenberg even BETTER?
✌🏽
"Community is much more than belonging to something: its about doing something together that makes belonging matter"
-Brian Olis
