By Josh James
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-983698.mp3
Lexington, KY – An initiative launched today by the United Way of the Bluegrass aims to bring together community leaders from nine Kentucky counties to see what they can achieve as a team.
The United Way is looking for a few good community leaders - a few hundred, to be exact. The Bluegrass Community Connector Project is modeled after similar efforts in Philadelphia and Louisville, only this project will be the first to focus on regions rather than cities. United Way of the Bluegrass president Bill Farmer says that means identifying those who often work behind the scenes.
"I think what we're going to find is that there are not going to be many public leaders. In other communities that have launched this program, it's really the grassroots and not the grass tops. The question that we ask is 'Who do you go to in the community for trusted advice?' and many of the people at the top of the list aren't the ones people go to because they don't know them," he said.
Citizens can nominate community leaders at bgconnectors.com. That list will be whittled down to between 100 and 200 names. Then Community Connector organizers will bring the group together to meet and share ideas.
