Winter is almost here and every day we move closer to the end of 2018. From my perspective, this has been a very good year!
This time of year always lifts my spirits. Being an eternal optimist, I revel in the one time of year when people will actually speak out loud of their concerns for their fellow citizens. It is the time to proclaim the need for peace on earth and good will toward all humanity, but it would seem, that those wishes began much earlier this year.
The creation of the Community for Open Wisconsin (COW) has been a reason for thanksgiving this year. I realize it may sound trite to place that kind of significance on a grass-roots organization that has been established to advocate for cost-effectiveness and access to knowledge, but, lets take a deeper look:
- COW has grown from an idea that someone needs to advocate for Wisconsin learners.
- It has become a group without borders. It has forged a message and vision that looks to advance the ability of higher education, preK-12 and public libraries.
- Its mission is to tear down silos so that we can concentrate on what is important...serving our patrons.
- It has brought together a wide range of knowledge to be used collectively.
- It has become a forum for people to come together that actually want to get things done.
All in all, I think that we have already achieved a great deal just by coming together to collaborate.
In September, the steering committee met for the first time. It was amazing to see the enthusiasm! Introductions were made and the work began.
In November, the steering committee met again in a half-day retreat. We went through several exercises that caused us to look closely at the feedback we have already received from the COW membership. Themes and a vision for the next couple of years started to take shape. The Steering Committee will meet again on January 31st, 2019.
Three specific areas emerged as critical starting points for the movement. They are Discovery, Advocacy/Awareness and Education. All will become subcommittees in the new year. We need you, the membership of COW, to be prepared to lead and support these groups. Actions plans and substantive goals need to be created and implemented. The steering and executive committees will also be working to provide you with the infrastructure and resources you will need for success.
This is a great start, but there is much work to be done. Watch this space to hear and share more in the future.
Thank you for everything you have done...and for what we will be accomplishing in the days to come!
Bob Butterfield
COW Chair
