Community Immersion
I took a class entitled Community Immersion. Through that class, I had the opportunity to meet with and learn from professionals from across the community in the for-profit, non-profit, and government sectors. This page includes my learning and reflections on some of the presenters I found most significant.
Novant
I had the opportunity to meet with Gary Blabon from Novant. Mr. Blabon invited my class to visit the Rowan Regional Novant Hospital. While there, I began to understand how complex the inner workings of such a large company like Novant can be. All the departments in Novant do vastly different things, spanning from budgeting, to hoping in a helicopter, to save someone's life. However, Mr. Blabon explained they all work towards their overall goal of getting affordable health care to everyone.
After hearing from Mr. Blabon, I understood how Novant and other businesses like this connect to many other stakeholders in the community. For example, the services provided by Novant go directly to the community by treating and helping anyone that needs it, they also have classes for more of a preventing service for the community. Citizens go to Novant for either help or education and pay for the services they receive to keep Novant doors open for others in the community keeping the system working for many years.
Sheriff Travis Allen
I had the opportunity to meet with Travis Allen, the Rowan County Sheriff. Mr. Allen came to our school to give us a presentation on the inner system of County law enforcement and the role of the Sheriff. While he was there, I began to understand how complex the inner workings of a small County really can be. For example, he talked a lot about the community's input with voting and advertisement. He explained that ,although not everyone believes or thinks like this, every vote matters, and researching who you're voting for and what they stand for is always a good idea, especially since the citizens have such a big pull in this job. I also learned that the County Commissioners set a budget for the Sheriff's Department. I thought of this as significant because I had never known that and wouldn't have thought to look that up. But it's helpful information.
After hearing from Travis Allen, I better understood how the Sheriff's Department connects to many other stakeholders in the community. For example, the Sheriff's Department serves and protects the local population, responding to emergencies, enforcing laws, and maintaining order for the citizens in a community. They don't only connect to citizens though as the Sheriff collaborated with county officials, including commissioners and administrators, to allocate resources and address community needs.
Rowan Helping Ministries
I had the opportunity to meet with Kyna Grubb from Rowan Helping Ministries. Mrs. Grubb invited my class to visit and tour the multiple builds they have worked hard to develop. While there, I began to understand how complex the inner workings of such a large non-profit organization can be. For example, the sheer amount of land, money, and work that goes into housing as many people as they take is a huge challenge for anyone. They have made many improvements and added more buildings and departments, thanks to the generous donations to their facility. The work in all these buildings and across many services are perfectly in sync for everyone to benefit. I believe it's important to talk about their growth, because their mission is necessary with increased food and living. Since this is close to my heart, any improvements to a project like that and I am all ears.
After hearing from Kyna Grubb I better understood how Rowan Helping Ministries connects to many other stakeholders in the community. For example, the donors are important stakeholders as they fund projects, and help keep the light on. Board members are the group of people overseeing the organization. Volunteers contribute their time and skills, along with citizens, media, and partner non-profits.
