The Patterson Foundation will kick off its
Aspirations to Actions initiative, in collabo-
ration with The Harwood Institute for Public
Innovation, with a speech by national pub-
lic discourse expert Rich Harwood on Aug.
12 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch
Country Club, the Foundation has announced.
The club is located at 7650 Legacy Blvd. in
Lakewood Ranch. The event is open to the
public, a news release points out.
During his speech, Reclaiming Main
Street, Harwood "will share how indi-
viduals and organizations can become
catalysts for positive change and engage
in and strengthen their communities," the
release says. Hardwood is "a renowned leader
in bringing communities together," it points
out. The address will be part of his cross-coun-
try campaign, during which he will talk with
people about their aspirations for their com-
munities, with the goal of training 5,000 public
innovators by 2016, the release continues.
Harwood's address will launch The Patterson
Foundation's Aspirations to Actions ini-
tiative, in which individuals selected from
the region will participate in three days of
training during a Public Innovators Lab pre-
sented by Harwood and coaches from The
Harwood Institute, the release notes.
"We are always interested in collaboration
and innovation while embracing new ideas,"
said Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of
The Patterson Foundation, in the release.
"The Aspirations to Actions initiative and
The Harwood Institute's techniques have
enormous potential to positively impact our
region and the lives of people who are proud
to live here."
"During the Public Innovators Lab, more
than 70 individuals representing diverse
geographic and issue areas will learn the
Institute's approaches to 'turn outward' by
developing a deeper understanding of their
communities and using that knowledge to
make community the reference point for pos-
itive change," the release says.
The Patterson Foundation, which is providing
full scholarships for all of the selected par-
ticipants, will also provide support for them
as they carry out their work throughout the
coming year, the release adds.
To l e a r n m o r e a b o u t H a r w o o d a n d
The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation,
visit theharwoodinstitute.org.
PATTERSON FOUNDATION TO KICK OFF NEW INITIATIVE ON AUG. 12
Rich Harwood will address Sarasota County
residents on Aug. 12. Photo courtesy of The
Harwood Institute for Public Innovation
Sarasota News Leader August 8 & 15, 2014 Page 67
