A significant component of the Leadership Cape Cod program is learning about leadership, teamwork and collaboration through a community service project. Community Projects are meant to assist participants to develop their leadership skills and provide assistance to a community non-profit. Community Projects are an integral part of the curriculum of the six month long program.
The projects provide opportunities for people to learn together, utilize their leadership skills, and create networks that support the development of community capacity and social capital. The term social capital refers to far more than just warm feelings about community and good works; it emphasizes a wide variety of specific benefits that flow from the trust, reciprocity, information, and cooperation associated with social networks. Social capital creates value for the people who are connected, and benefits others. These benefits include things like increased volunteerism, increased philanthropy, better directed and implanted corporate social responsibility programs, increased social participation, and better citizenship.
2009 Group Projects
PILOT HOUSE 6
The Pilot House 6 provided much-needed outdoor improvements requested by the residents of the Pilot House, a shelter on Yarmouth Road, Hyannis, for chronically homeless adults working toward regaining health, sobriety, and stability.Our improvements included safe storage for bicycles and tools, newer outdoor furniture, and redesigned landscaping.Our aim was to give the residents what they most needed to help them enjoy their outdoor space.
FRIENDS OF CAPE COD CHILDREN’S PLACE
Our project is a three-pronged marketing effort for the Cape Cod Children’s Place.We have created a marketing/fundraising action-plan, a brochure, and a video for the center.
THE LEADING LADIES
We focused on connecting teens to local volunteer opportunities.We worked with the Barnstable High School, Alternative Learning Program (ALP) and introduced them to several local non-profit agencies including: Barnstable COA, Habilitation Assistance Corp., Cape Cod Child Development, AmeriCorps, and Cape Cod Maritime Museum.Our goal is to create a lasting relationship between Barnstable High School and the local agencies.
WE CAN
WE CAN Corporation supports Cape Cod women in life transitions, sponsoring the popular "Pathfinders" mentoring program and mentor outreach with "The Bridge" program.Our group produced a Facebook page for the mentor program and promoted the page within appropriate local Facebook communities.We approached large Cape employers and professional women's organizations to promote the mentor program, recruit women to attend an info session, and created a list/database of interested employers and organizations.We hosted an info event and reception at the Cape Cod Community Media Center in April.
FOOD-FUN-CONNECT
We worked hard to bring together two intergenerational groups (the Mashpee Senior Center and the Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod) that share a driveway, but little else.Participants from both organizations worked together to create pizza with Ralph Binder of the Mad Platter, cupcakes with the staff of Cupcake Charlie's, and cookies-and-tea with The Tea Shoppe owner Jeni Hennessey.As it was titled in the Cape Cod Times - Sharing a Common Dish.
2008 Group Projects
GROUP 3
Weorganized an annual clean-up day for the Johnny A. Kelley Recreation Area in Dennis. CLI members and volunteers spread mulch around play sets and swings; CLI members and the women’s softball league players edged and weeded baselines and the pitcher’s mound; members of local Girl Scout troops cleaned up the memorial garden.We created a blueprint to aide next year’s organizers and ensure an ongoing annual effort.
THE MUSIC MAKERS
We designed a music enrichment program for the children of the Cape Cod Boys and Girls Club.
Over three Thursday afternoons in May, we brought a rock and roll band, a string quartet, and
a jazz band to the Club in Mashpee.Each group performed for the children
and spent some time introducing to and teaching them about many different types of music and instruments.
Project Group 1
We organized and hosted a drum circle for traumatic brain injury survivors.Craig Bautz of CAPEable Adventures facilitated the event on May 9, 2008, at CampWingate*Kirkland in YarmouthPort.For 90 minutes, the participants enjoyed creating their own rhythm and laughter.Participants varied from the able-bodied to those requiring a wide range of assistive devices; from three years of age to those with considerable years of life experience.We all then enjoyed a meal together, socializing and learning more about one another.
PAUL’S GROUP
We organized and ran a family fair at Cape CodCommunity College on June 7, 2008, for the families of Children’s Cove, the Cape and IslandsChildAdvocacyCenter.For many years, an avenue has been sought by which these parents and families might obtain needed resources, as well as financial, tax, legal, and school advice.We used a Family Fair to provide a way for the families to gather resources, ask questions, and even participate in active presentations on topics such as self-defense, bullying, safety, and disaster preparedness.
SPHND
We improved the dreary and dated appearance of the waiting area and two exam rooms at the Sandwich Public Health Nursing Department (SPHND). We painted, hung shelving and selected original artwork, and provided more professional bulletin boards.We acquired through donation a new HDTV/DVD/VHS system so patients can view public health education programs, as well as stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs needed by the staff.We emptied, cleaned, and organized the equipment storage shed and everything it contained. We sought and received approval for SPHND’s two staff nurses to attend all continuing educational opportunities at RHCI.
2007 Group Projects
WOMEN HELPING WOMEN
We focused our efforts in working on the marketing/sponsorship segment of WE CAN’S major
annual fundraiser, an author’s luncheon entitled “A Women’s Day of Words, Whimsy, and Wisdom”.
We helped secure funds and in-kind donations for the event.In addition, we educated
people in several areas on the Cape about WE CAN, its purpose, and its many success stories.
BOTTLES & CANS We gathered information about recycling programs on Cape Cod into one document to be distributed electronically as a downloadable PDF.Included are text about why recycling works and a link to charitable organizations on Cape Cod that run recycling fund-raising programs.We will distribute it to every town hall and chamber of commerce on Cape Cod, as well as various realty and rental agencies.
Cape Cares for the Elderly
We held a volunteer fair for Cape organizations specializing in elder care on May 12, at
Cape CodCommunity College. We invited more than 40 organizations to the fair and had
eight organizations attend.Pairpoint Glass provided free sun catchers to every participant.
CAPEENTREPRENEURS
CapeEntrepreneurs is an educational tool for teachers on Cape Cod to create a "bridge" between
future leaders of tomorrow with business owners, entrepreneurs and leaders of today.The tool is a
web-based application known as "Speaker Bureau", in which teachers and students can choose a
qualified speaker to visit their class from a certain region and industry, to speak on a certain subject.
Secret Gardeners
We worked with the YMCA to clear an area and plant a WelcomeGarden at the entrance to
CampLyndon in Sandwich, as the YMCA did not have resources available to beautify the entranceway.
2006 Group Projects
FAB FOUR
We redesigned and refurbished the landscaping at “Little Homesteads”, a group of low-income
Housing rental units on Route 28 in Harwich.We aimed to provide the residents with an attractive
yard, as well as the inspiration to initiate their own landscaping and home-improvement projects.
CAPE – Children’s Art Protecting the Environment
CAPE used artwork provided by Waldorf School of Cape Cod children to create a 16-month calendar illustrating our ocean environment. All proceeds from the sale of the calendar will benefit the Cape Cod Stranding Network and their efforts to rescue, rehabilitate and release stranded marine mammals.
NOT2BUSY
We revitalized the Clipper Lane Town Landing in Dennisport and installed a new bench.
UNSEEN
We worked to raise awareness of the homeless population on Cape Cod.We arranged for
volunteer participants to be photographed by Andrew Miller.On May 26, we opened a photo exhibit at
the CotuitCenter for the Arts so all can see the people in our community who too often remain unseen.
CALAMITY COMMUNICATION
We created a public service campaign about the Cape Cod Emergency Preparedness Handbook.
With the Red Cross, Cape and Islands EMS System, Cape Cod Commission, CommunityMediaCenter
and the Orleans Fire Department, we made a 30-minute program and PSA to air on local access cable.
2005 Group Projects
The Red Sox
Assessed the next steps in volunteer recruitment and management for
CapeCorps, a program of the Cape CodCenter for Sustainability.
What's so special about Cape Cod?
Created a children's activity booklet to connect children to what is going on in nature right around here.
Art Pantry
Organized an intergenerational art project, bringing together elementary and middle school students with established art professionals in Provincetown to create works along the theme "A Journey of Healing".
Pieces were unveiled at the public opening of the RCHI for ChildrenEileenM.WardRehabilitationCenter.
For the Birds
Planned and organized a bird walk and presentation for seniors in the Town of Bourne,
in conjunction with the Bourne Council on Aging and the Cape Cod Bird Club.
Donated a bird feeder, birdseed, bird books and picnic tables to the BourneSeniorCenter.
